CINCINNATI -- Although they have been only a couple of plays away from keeping their undefeated start intact, the Cincinnati Bengals haven't quite gotten it done the past two weeks.
Back-to-back losses in prime time by a combined seven points have caused them to go from an 8-0 record that made them the talk of the NFL, to 8-2. When some in Cincinnati talk about the Bengals now, there's more pessimism, and less excitement about the possibility of a Super Bowl run.
But that's crazy talk. Talented, this team still could have that kind of run in it. As the Bengals look to get back on track, here are four things they can do Sunday to end the skid against St. Louis:
Keep the penalties low: Penalties have been an issue for the Bengals all season -- they are averaging about nine per game. Their 89 total penalties are three more than the league average 86, according to ESPN Stats & Information. It's been in the past two weeks, though, that they have become a more glaring issue. That is primarily because the penalties they have received lately have come at ill-opportune times, either stalling the offense or taking yards from the defense in clutch situations like last week's late 15-yard penalty to give the Cardinals a 32-yard field goal to win the game. In only two wins (against Kansas City and Pittsburgh) did the Bengals have more penalties than their opponent. They have had more penalties than their opponent in both losses. They were flagged 10 times in both losses, compared to the six and nine penalties Houston and Arizona had, respectively.
Get into rhythm offensively: The high volume of offensive penalties the past two weeks made it difficult to get into a rhythm. Just when the offense got going in the Houston game, drives stalled because of penalties or drops. A.J. Green's lost fumble in the final minute didn't help as the offense finally got in an up-tempo sync. The Bengals' odd schedules the past few weeks might have contributed to their funk. Right after a short turnaround for a Thursday game, they had 11 days off before the Monday nighter against Houston. Then came the odd schedule preparing for last Sunday night's game at Arizona. After seven weeks of 1 p.m. ET Sunday games, they were knocked off their weekly routine. Perhaps now they can get back there with three traditional Sunday afternoon games upcoming.
Protect better: To keep quarterback Andy Dalton as upright as they did at the start of the season, Cincinnati's offensive linemen and running backs must block better. That's especially important with Rams defensive tackle Aaron Donald looming. The Bengals have been pressured 20 times the past two games after receiving pressure on only 6.8 plays per game the first eight weeks. Teams are finally realizing pressure is the best way to rattle Dalton and his protectors. Pressure the past two games has led to eight total sacks and some significant drive-killing lost yardage.
Finish all 60 minutes: The Bengals simply have to get it done for the full four quarters Sunday after not doing it against Houston and Arizona. Green's fumble against the Texans came with 40 seconds left to preserve Houston's 10-6 win. Again, the way that drive was going, the Bengals might have ended up with a late touchdown to win. At Arizona, the late penalty and nearly 70 yards of passing offense on three straight plays got the Cardinals from their own 16 to inside the red zone in about a minute.