ReFo: Bengals @ Colts, Week 7

The Cincinnati Bengals traveled to Indianapolis to face the Colts yesterday, and went home frustrated after being unable to sustain anything offensively. The Bengals are now winless since a 3-0 start, with a home game against division rival Baltimore looming.

The Colts outgained the Bengals 506-135, and the final score would have probably been even more lopsided if not for a pair of Indianapolis fumbles. The Colts got a strong showing from their defense, combining to earn a +14.4 team coverage grade, and forcing the Bengals to punt on 11 of 14 drives, including 10 three-and-outs. Here are some of the game’s notable performances.

Cincinnati Bengals – Performances of Note

Adam Jones, CB: +4.3

Breakdown: Jones was really the lone bright spot for the Bengals in the game, with positive grades in coverage and run defense. Andrew Luck was 2-of-6 for just 8 yards when targeting Jones in coverage, and Jones added two run stops as well.

Signature Stat: Jones decisively won the battle against Reggie Wayne, as Luck was 1-3 for 2 yards when targeting Wayne with Jones in coverage.

Andre Smith, RT: -4.9

Breakdown: Smith earned negative grades for pass protection, run blocking and penalties in a season-worst -4.9 effort. He was responsible for a pair of sacks and a pair of hits on Andy Dalton, and also had a costly false start on fourth down during the team’s only trip to red zone.

Signature Stat: Smith’s -2.3 run blocking grade was the worst such grade for either team.

Marquis Flowers, LB: -4.0

Breakdown: Flowers finished with the worst defensive grade of any player in this game, despite playing just 46 snaps. He had a tough time in run defense, earning a -2.5 grade and missing a pair of tackles.

Signature Stat: Flowers had played just two snaps all season before this game, as injuries continue to test the Bengals’ linebacker depth.

Indianapolis Colts – Performances of Note

Vontae Davis, CB: +5.8

Breakdown: Davis’ +5.8 grade was a game-best, and is mostly attributed to a +5.6 coverage grade. Dalton was 2-7 for 21 yards (to five different targets) when throwing in his direction.

Signature Play: With 8:14 left in the second quarter, Davis leveled Giovani Bernard with a perfectly-timed hit on a screen pass that left Bernard temporarily shaken up.

Anthony Castonzo, LT: +4.5

Breakdown: Castonzo led the offense with a +4.5 grade, and was the only offensive player with a green pass protection grade (+1.2), surrendering a hit and a hurry.

Signature Stat: Castonzo’s +2.4 run blocking grade tied him for best on the team. The Colts were dominant in this area, combining for a +13.8 grade as they rushed for 168 yards.

Reggie Wayne, WR: -4.0

Breakdown: Tough day at the office for Wayne, as Luck was 4-8 for just 15 yards when targeting him. The former Hurricane did not help his cause with two dropped passes.

Signature Stat: Wayne’s 0.37 Yards per Route Run for the game would rank him last among receivers this season.

PFF Game Ball

Vontae Davis earns the game ball as he continues an excellent season. His +5.8 grade was his best of the season, and his overall grade in 2014 now stands at +13.0 as he has yet to earn a negative grade.