The Cincinnati Bengals and the Seattle Seahawks Seahawks have been two very confusing teams that are difficult to figure out. The Bengals have beaten the Buffalo Bills and a number of lesser teams, but no one is talking about them or has high expectations for them. The Seahawks on the other hand were able to keep things close with the Falcons, they beat the Giants, but then they could only score three points against the Browns.
Now, they go head to head in what could be a very low scoring game. The Bengals overall defense has a rating of +60.1, which is second highest in the league, while the Seahawks are at +51.9, which is fourth highest. The difference between these two teams is on offense, where the Seahawks are amongst the worst in the league while the Bengals are average. Here are the match-ups to look at to keep this game interesting
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1) Bernard Scott vs. The Seahawks’ Front Seven
With Cedric Benson serving his suspension this week, we will finally see what Bernard Scott (-1.0) can do over a full game. This year he hasn't looked well with 2.8 yards per carry; although it is just on 30 carries. However in the past he has shown more potential with 4.9 yards per carry, and he had a player miss a tackle on him on one in every ten carries. While that might not be excellent; it was still better than what Benson was doing in 2010.
While Bengals fans might be excited to see what Scott can do as a starter this week might not be the best change for him. This year the Seahawks have allowed running backs to run for a measly 3.13 yards per carry. They have had 19 players play at least 50 snaps, and all but one of them has positive run defense ratings (that one player is now on injured reserve). This means that there isn’t a weakness in the run defense that the Bengals could try taking advantage of. Their leader is Alan Branch (+11.3 run) who has been the player Arizona always wished he was with nine stops, as well as a number of other plays where he has stood players up and disrupted runs. He’s only had seven negative plays which is just over one negative play a game. While Cincinnati will try to run the ball, I don’t think it will be for much success.
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2) Seahawks Offensive Line vs. Bengals Defensive Line
This matchup is an advantage for the Bengals in both pass rushing and the run game. The Seahawks worst pass blocker is right tackle James Carpenter (-9.6 pass block) who has allowed four sacks, nine hits and 12 pressures. The 13 combined hits/sacks are tied for the most by a tackle. The person lining up against him on a number of plays will be Carlos Dunlap (+13.1 pass rush) who hasn’t had a sack yet, but has six hits and 16 pressures, and a batted pass. This doesn’t bold well for whoever gets to play quarterback this week for Seattle.
In terms of run defense, third round pick right guard John Moffitt (-7.3 run blocking) who will be matched up against Domata Peko (+5.3 run defense) and Geno Atkins (+1.9 run defense). Outside of that, the rest of the offensive line is very average while all eight members of the Bengals defensive line rotation has positive run defense ratings. If Marshawn Lynch (+1.3 run) and his 4.1 yards per carry plays, he will run into problems. If the Seahawks are left without him, then they will have even more problems.
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3) Andrew Whitworth vs. Chris Clemons
If there was a single individual matchup to watch in this game, it is between Bengals left tackle Andrew Whitworth (+8.6) and defensive right end Chris Clemons (+14.0). For the past three years, Whitworth has been one of the elite left tackles and has kept it up this year with just allowing a sack, a hit and five pressures. Since joining the Seahawks, Clemons has been great at rushing the passer, and this year has two sacks, one hit and 16 pressures. Based on those numbers it doesn’t look like Clemons will get to Dalton, but the question will become how often Clemons can disrupt plays. Either way it will be a battle between two great players which is always good to keep an eye on.
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