Rex Burkhead likely will pick up a good portion of Bernard’s attempts, but there’s no question the absence of Bernard and Pro Bowl wide receiver A.J. Green (hamstring) means Hill will go into Sunday’s game at Baltimore more responsible for the success of the offense that he’s ever been in his three seasons with the team.
Hill, who has rushing touchdowns in three of his last four games but has only averaged more than 4 yards per rush in two of the 11 contests this season, is the subject of this week’s Cincinnati Bengals High 5:
Q: How is Gio coping in the aftermath of his diagnosis?
A: He's been around and his spirits are up, but you don't really know what it's like for him when he's not around. It still hasn't really hit me that we won't have him the rest of the year. It's definitely unfortunate. We can't catch a break. It's just part of it. We've got to move on from it and prayers up for Gio. He stayed in a couple of plays after it happened, and everyone has commended him for that. He walked off the field after (tearing his ACL). He's a tough guy. We knew that because he does all the tough work for us in pass protection and stuff like that. It's going to be a huge piece of our offense missing with him not in there.
Q: Is it something that might have been a little daunting earlier in your career but something you are looking forward to now, to put more responsibility for the success of this offense on your shoulders?
A: There's going to be more opportunities for a lot of guys. Whoever that may be, however the game goes, guys have to step up, including myself. We've got to go out there and make plays. For us as an offense, we haven't played a full 60-minute game this year. Why not now to go do that, especially in a division game in that environment. We've been working hard, but we have to make it show out there on Sundays.
Q: You mentioned a full 60-minute game. The Bengals rank next to last in fourth-quarter scoring this season. Do you have any theories on what the problem has been?
A: I think if anyone had a solid theory, it would be fixed by now. I don't think anybody has a solid answer to exactly why.
Q: This Baltimore defense isn't easy to run on. No. 1 in the league as a matter of fact. What makes them so good?
A: Their front seven is really good and they do a great job of disguising their safeties. They use a lot of eight-man boxes and make it really tough to run. They're a little more stout up front. You don't see these big linemen. They do a good job of getting off blocks and making plays. It's going to be a challenge for us, but I think we'll do a good job.
Q: You guys have a five-game winning streak against the Ravens, which means you personally have never lost to them. How much added confidence is there knowing you guys have won five in a row, which is something that doesn't often happen in divisional play?
A: I'm sure they know that. That's probably on on all their stuff all week. That's something their coach has probably been talking to them about. They're going to be ready to go. They're always ready to go. It's a division game. They know what's at stake. We know what's at stake. It's going to be fun. This time of year is when you really find out who are the real teams and who aren't.
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