CINCINNATI -- In their two losses this season, the Cincinnati Bengals converted just five percent of third-down chances they have had.

Yes, five ... percent.

Only one of the 20 third-down conversion opportunities have gone favorably for them in the two games that have been lost by a combined score of 70-17.

When an offense isn't able to turn third-down opportunities into first downs, it stays on the field for a shorter amount of time, and it greatly diminishes its scoring capability. That offense also is susceptible to allowing its short, quick possessions to turn into long ones for its defense.

Case in point: last Sunday's game at Indianapolis.

That afternoon, the Bengals were 1-for-13 on third down. They simply couldn't get anything done offensively, and ended up losing, 27-0. Beyond that, they also lost the time of possession battle by nearly 20 minutes, as the Colts' offense was on the field for 39 minutes and 43 seconds, wearing down Cincinnati's defenders in the process.

Why were the Bengals so awful on third down in both losses? To find the answer, we have to look all the way back to first and second down. When a team doesn't execute on first or second down, third-and-long scenarios become far more common than necessary. When an offense is in third-and-long, it's chances of getting a first down greatly diminish.

"It's kind of tough when you don't get positive yards on first down," receiver Mohamed Sanu said. "We can't start that way. You've got to get positive yards to stay within our game plan to be able to execute it."

This season, teams have a nearly 26 percent better chance of converting a first down from third-and-4 or shorter than they do of converting a third-and-5 or longer. According to ESPN Stats & Information, NFL offenses are averaging a 58.3 percent conversion rating on third-and-4 or shorter, and a 32.4 percent conversion rating on third-and-5 or longer.

It might be simplistic in nature, but it is a football truism: The best way a team can avoid third-and-longs is if it gains meaningful yards on first and second down.

"First downs are important," Bengals Pro Bowl offensive tackle Andrew Whitworth said. "It doesn't matter if we are throwing it or running it. [It's about] getting something positive there. Something to put yourself in a positive down and distance for second and third down."

Against the Colts last week, the Bengals had six drives that began with them either losing yards or not gaining any on their first-down plays. They had 14 drives total.

Such problems were exacerbated by the fact the Bengals had trouble running the ball when they did. Despite trailing only 10-0 in the first half, they barely ran. At halftime, the running backs had eight rushes. Of those, Bengals ball carriers were first contacted at or behind the line of scrimmage on six of them. It was a clear sign that even if the Bengals could run on first down, the Colts' suffocating defense wasn't trying to let them.

Combine that with short or incomplete passes on first down, and you got a series of long third downs. Nine of the Bengals' 13 third downs last week came from third-and-7 or further. The others came with them needing four or fewer yards. The lone conversion of the day came on a third-and-4.

"In the NFL, stats will show you third-and-long means you are not going to have a very good day," Whitworth said. "If that's what you are going to have all day long, it is going to be a rough day."

Of the teams with the 11-lowest conversion ratings on third-and-5 or longer, the Bengals, at 3-2-1, are the only one with a winning record.