By Marc Hardin
FOX Sports Ohio | BengalsInsider.com
Thursday, October 21st, 2010
When it comes to getting after the quarterback, the Bengals' defense has suffered a pressure drop.
Through five games, Cincinnati has recorded six sacks, a total that ranks in a three-way tie for 29th in the league. Looked at another way, the Bengals and two other teams are tied for the second-worst sack total in the NFL. Only Tampa Bay with four has fewer.
At this point last season, the Bengals, led by Antwan Odom, had 14 sacks.
The Bengals currently are without Odom, who is sackless and out at least the next four games because of a league suspension. He's also injured. No news there. The team is on pace to amass 19 sacks over 16 games. The Bengals had 19 sacks last season by the eighth game. Since that eighth game, the Bengals have 19 sacks in 13 games.
Lack of pressure on the quarterback gives him time to find receivers, allows plays to develop and can provide the opportunity for a broken play to become a successful, back-breaking one. Pressure on the quarterback disrupts an offense's rhythm and moves him from his ideal point of release, often resulting in hurried throws which can lead to interceptions, or sacks. There's no chance for a play when the quarterback is unable to break contain and winds up flat on his back.
The fact the Bengals are getting interceptions - they rank in an eight-way tie for seventh in the league with seven picks - is in part a testament to the coverage skills of the Cincinnati secondary. Six of the Bengals' seven picks are by defensive backs, led by cornerback Leon Hall's AFC-leading three (he's actually tied for the conference lead).
Greater quarterback pressure and more sacks increases the chances for turnovers which can lead to points off turnovers, which, in Cincinnati usually leads to wins. The precious commodity of points was something that could have come in handy during the pair of three-point losses the Bengals recently suffered at the hands of the Browns and Bucs.
