SUNDAY’S GAME
Cincinnati Bengals (5-3-1) at New Orleans (4-5)
1 p.m.
TV: Chs. 7, 12
Radio: 700-AM, 102.7-FM, 104.7-FM
With Rey Maualuga returning to the practice field Wednesday and apparently on track to play Sunday in New Orleans after missing the last four games with a hamstring injury, the Cincinnati Bengals linebacker was expecting some questions from reporters.
What he wasn’t prepared for was an answer.
After it was suggested he had extra incentive to get back on the field because of how badly the Bengals have struggled against the run, Maualuga said, “I don’t even know where we’re at. What are we, twenty-something?”
Try 31st.
“Ooo-wee!” he replied with shock. “Out of 32 teams?”
Bengals fans have been equally as shocked as the team has allowed an average of 143 rushing yards per game, which is 1.7 better than the No. 32 New York Giants.
Last year Cincinnati allowed 96.5 yards to rank fifth in run defense.
“I know the numbers, and we’ve got to get better,” defensive coordinator Paul Guenther said. “We’ve all got to do better, coaches and players alike. We’ve got to play better up front. We’ve got to play better at the linebacker position, regardless of who’s in there.”
Only three times in nine games this year have Vontaze Burfict, Emmanuel Lamur and Maualuga started as a group, and each time at least one was injured and unable to finish.
There have five different starting combinations in nine games.
“We’ve had a number of different guys in there, that’s part of the issue,” Guenther said. “I can’t tell you how many different sets of linebackers and combinations we have had in there, so it’s something we have to work through.
“I know what it’s supposed to look like,” he added. “Obviously, if Rey comes back it will be a big help. That will clean some stuff up for us.”
Maualuga and Burfict were the top tacklers on the team each of the last two seasons. But with Maualuga missing four games and Burfict likely to miss his fifth Sunday, the Bengals have allowed 1,287 rushing yards.
They didn't reach that number until the 14th game last year.
In six of the nine games, they have allowed at least 132 yards. The last time they gave up 132 yards six times in an entire season was 2004.
“The entire defensive football team is not playing as well,” coach Marvin Lewis said. “We have given up 50 more first downs then we did a year ago. We have scored five less touchdowns and given up five more touchdowns. We are running for a half yard better on offense and they have a half yard better carry on defense.
“We are not getting it done on first and second down defensively,” he continued. “We have to do a better job.”
Especially this week against a New Orleans team that ranks second in the league in yardage and sixth in points scored.
Predominantly a pass-oriented offense since quarterback Drew Brees’ arrival in 2006, the Saints have rushed for an average of 144.7 yards in their last three games. Running back Mark Ingram has gained at least 100 in all three after topping 100 yards once in his 40 games in the league.
All of which makes Maualuga’s return so important.
“I hate talking about how I’m going to be the one to come and spark and stop the run,” he said. “I’m not saying it’s me, or I’m not pointing anybody out, but what I’m saying is you just can’t show up at practice just to practice and go home. Things have to change like coach said, and if you’re not going to do things they’re asking you to do, then you’re not going to play. Hopefully that hits a couple of people and get things changed around here.
"The good thing about it is it can get fixed, and it will get fixed," he added. "I promise you we won't finish the season in 31st against the run."
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