Carson Palmer

As I assumed, today’s loss to the Raiders was a slow, painful death. Chicago hung around after several costly turnovers, but couldn’t mount the offense to overcome Sebastian Janikowski’s six field goals and a late touchdown from Michael Bush, halting their five game win streak. As much as I’d prefer not to, let’s get to the breakdown.

Continue reading "Joe's 2011 Gameday Recap: Raiders 25, Bears 20"

be coming on every play.

Speaking of that defense, they’ll have to contend with a resurging Carson Palmer and an Oakland offense that is shaping up to be everything Al Davis ever wanted. They pound their opponents with the ground game and air it out deep to their speedy wide-outs. With no Darren McFadden, Michael Bush and Taiwan Jones will share the load Sunday afternoon. Palmer’s been surprisingly solid in his last few starts, suggesting that he’s shaking off the rust from sitting at home for so long. His offensive line is tremendous in run-blocking, but their pass-blocking won’t hold up if the Raiders have to throw too often. Chicago’s corners will have to jump on Palmer’s short, quick passes as I still think he’s lost a bit of zip on his throws. Major Wright and Chris Conte must protect against the deep pass, so expect a lot of cover-two from Lovie Smith’s defense. The Odds:

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/>(4-4) San Diego Chargers

So I say this game could be sloppy for two reasons: Philip Rivers and Carson Palmer. Rivers leads the league with 14 interceptions on the year, single-handedly bringing the Chargers down from a division-leading 4-1 to a middle of the pack 4-4. While San Diego’s defense is still playing at a relatively high level, they can’t defend against pick-sixes. Without Malcom Floyd, the Chargers will rely heavily on Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates to stretch the field. (Duh.)

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Tuesday the Cincinnati Bengals finally traded disgruntled quarterback Carson Palmer. The deal? Palmer goes to Oakland, who sends back a first round draft pick in 2012 and a conditional second round pick in 2013 that could turn into a first rounder if the Raiders make it to the AFC title game in the next two years. A king’s ransom for an aging quarterback? Or a crafty move to save a season? Let’s break down this deal!The Winner: Cincinnati Bengals

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and Browns 23
(2-2) Cincinnati Bengals 20

It figures that after all the criticism, Carson Palmer's best game of the season comes in a loss. I'd say a majority of his 371 yards came as a result of being behind for most of the game, but that doesn't matter. The fact remains that he can do it if needs be. Terrell Owens' 222 yards receiving on ten receptions proves his worth as a Bengal. But let's give some credit to the Browns, who managed to jump out early and hang on for the win. Peyton Hillis's second-straight 100-yard game gives the Brown faithful hope.

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Joe Flacco looked horrible, throwing a whopping four interceptions. While Carson Palmer didn't exactly light it up with a less than 50% completion percentage, he didn't commit any turnovers, controlled the clock and kept his team in the game. Now the AFC North belongs to the Steelers (for this week). Did anyone see that coming?

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A long way from his elite years of the past, it wasn't Carson Palmer at his best, but in his defense he was extremely low on weapons. That won't be the case this year. In addition to Chad Ochocinco (I fee lame for typing that), the Bengals signed Terrell Owens, who seems to have some speed left. They drafted slot receiver Jordan Shipley and pass-catching tight end Jermain Gresham. The line is big and physical, but they need to protect Palmer better to bring him back to glory. Cedric Benson looks revitalized in Cincy *grumble* and Bernard Scott brings some quickness off the bench. 

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ing shut out last week, the Bengals took advantage of early field position to take a 7-0 lead off a Carson Palmer pass to Laveranues Coles in the endzone. From there it was all Jets. Rookie QB Mark Sanchez completed 12 of his 15 passes for 182 yards, including a well-called bootleg where he found tight end Dustin Keller for 45 yards and a score. Sanchez was backed-up by 164 combined yards on the ground from rookie back Shonn Greene and veteran Thomas Jones. Most importantly, Sanchez didn't turn the ball over.

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Receiver Chad Ochocinco is Carson Palmer's only legitimate outside weapon, but he's not the deep threat he once was. Cincy's D was rated fourth overall during the regular season, holding teams to an average of 300 yards a game. Their starting corners Joseph and Hall are vastly under-appreciated. 

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Let's just get that out of the way. However, they quit after being blown up by the Jets defense. Carson Palmer made solid throws, but his receivers did nothing to help with their numerous drops. Mark Sanchez wasn't asked to do much as the Jets ran the ball 57 times for over 250 yards. Next week (in another wildcard round rematch), the Bengals won't be sitting Cedric Benson and will be throwing everything at the rookie Sanchez. 

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efense, there's a strong likelihood that these two teams will play again next week if the Jets win. Carson Palmer should not be out there for more than a half. If Mark Sanchez doesn't throw four interceptions against an underrated Bengal secondary, the Jets get this win.

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ls shocked the NFL with a come-from behind win over the Super Bowl Champs in their earlier meeting. Carson Palmer and will be trying to finish the season sweep when they visit Heinz Field. Unfortunately for them, Troy Polamalu will be back on the field for the Steelers defense. I have a hard time believing Mike Tomlin’s squad will drop this home game.

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Who saw that coming? Joe Flacco was less than his usual efficient self while Carson Palmer aired it out enough to win. The real difference maker was the running game. Baltimore’s Ray Rice only carried the ball 12 times for 48 yards while Cedric Benson garnered 117 yards on 34 carries. Benson definitely grinded it out, but he’s had two 100+ yard rushing days against the Ravens defense. That can’t be ignored. Also hard to miss is that Bengals defense. Yikes.

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Who saw that coming? Joe Flacco was less than his usual efficient self while Carson Palmer aired it out enough to win. The real difference maker was the running game. Baltimore’s Ray Rice only carried the ball 12 times for 48 yards while Cedric Benson garnered 117 yards on 34 carries. Benson definitely grinded it out, but he’s had two 100+ yard rushing days against the Ravens defense. That can’t be ignored. Also hard to miss is that Bengals defense. Yikes.

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He’ll need a repeat performance if he’s going to keep up with Carson Palmer, who is playing on a Pro Bowl level. Both offenses have depending on a balanced attack, so look for each defense to shut down the run.

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Instead, let me explain what you can learn from their 45-10 beatdown at the hands of Carson Palmer, Cedric "holding a grudge" Benson and the Bengals. 

-Lovie Smith’s cover two defense is overrated and doesn’t work with the personnel on this team. His defensive scheme requires the four defensive linemen to get pressure on their own, which hasn’t been happening during Smith’s tenure. Without that consistent pressure opposing quarterbacks will be able find receivers in the open parts of the field. What good is a defensive scheme if EVERYONE knows how precisely to attack it week in and week out? Taking over the defensive play-calling isn’t working out exactly as Smith had planned. Scrap the cover two, or at least stop depending on it so much. It simply isn’t working. 

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They are legit and in control of that division. Carson Palmer should be back on his way to the cream of the quarterback crop. 

(3-1) Atlanta Falcons 45
(3-2) San Francisco 49ers 10 

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Great job to Marvin Lewis and a defense that has been rightfully much-maligned over the years. Carson Palmer is as close to 100% as we’ve seen since his injury. Cleveland is still awful. Sorry. The players hate Eric Mangini and he can't stand firm on a quarterback for more than six minutes. Derek Anderson may be starting this week, but I don't think Brady Quinn will stay on the sidelines all season.

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i Bengals 23
(1-2) Pittsburgh Steelers 20 

Easily the biggest surprise of the weekend. Carson Palmer led a comeback drive late to put his Bengals at 2-1. Without that freaky play in week one, they would be 3-0. Think about it. It’s painfully obvious that the Steelers are not the same without Troy Polamalu and can’t simply rely on Ben Roethlisberger to drop back all day. 

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You take down your division rival in week one just to fall to the lowly Bengals the next week. Carson Palmer hasn’t been himself for a few years; maybe this is the season he can get back on track as being one of the best QB’s in football.

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Peyton Manning against the 3rd ranked pass defense, or Carson Palmer against the 24th? LT is questionable on Sunday morning. Do you stick him on your bench or hope he plays, and plays well enough to justify giving him a starting spot?

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Quarterback Carson Palmer’s struggles are the most responsible for this lack of production, averaging only 182 yards a game with 3 touchdowns and four interceptions through four games. Normally the only reliable Bengal performer, Palmer has been dragged down to the level of his teammates this season, instead of the usual lifting them to his. The Bengals need score over 24 points a game in order to have a chance to win. The real issue has been running back Chris Perry’s case of fumblitis. He has five fumbles in five games, one coming late in this game on a drive that could have given his team the lead after they successfully converted an onside kick. The Cincinnati defense offers too many gaps and too little resistance to stop an average NFL offense, so Dallas took that turnover and easily scored the seven. Tony Romo and the Cowboys almost gave this one away, however.

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