A week after scoring 37 points in a tie with Carolina, Cincinnati's offense suddenly disappeared in a shutout loss to Indianapolis.
The Bengals have not won since their week three victory against the Titans. Perhaps they're in need of a spark? Perhaps Terrelle Pryor can provide that spark?
After all, Pryor tried out for Cincinnati, Tuesday. Star wide receiver A.J. Green is ailing and, no offense to Dane Sanzenbacher, they could use some depth at the position. Pryor's size and athleticism translate to a solid skill set for a wideout and –
On Terrelle Pryor speculation: He worked out for the #Bengals as a QB and isn't entertaining a position change.
— Rand Getlin (@Rand_Getlin) October 15, 2014
Guess he's aiming for Andy Dalton's job? Even though Dalton signed a contract extension in August, maybe the Bengals front office is starting to put some pressure on him. Another no-show playoff performance and here comes Pryor to rescue the franchise!
Wait, there's this from ProFootballTalk.com:
It’s possible Pryor was there to throw passes to the three wideouts who tried out: Greg Little (who was signed), Cobi Hamilton (who wasn’t), and Da’Rick Rogers (who wasn’t).
So, turns out, Pryor isn't ready to take over at QB for Cincinnati. Stay tuned, though, his days in the NFL aren't over – assuming he ever entertains the idea of a position change.
Meanwhile, according to Fox Sports, former OSU linebacker Austin Spitler also tried out for the Bengals, Tuesday.
Play of the Week
Kurt Coleman deserves a mention here because his interception sealed a last minute win over the Chargers.
The spotlight is always on players such as Coleman, though, for many reasons. As the last line of defense, he can make a spectacular play or take the blame for a blown coverage.
In any case, Rams long snapper Jake McQuaide never gets enough credit for what he does. The only time you'll ever notice him is if he short-hops the holder on a field goal attempt or sends a snap sailing over the punter's head. So, as a tribute to the special teams grinders, he's involved in our play of the week.
St. Louis executed a tremendously daring fake punt on fourth down, late in the fourth quarter, with the ball inside of their own 20, and it all began with McQuaide's snap (via @cjzero):
How They Fared in Week Seven
| Player | team | position | stats/Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mike Adams | Pittsburgh Steelers | OT | Plays tonight vs Houston |
| Will Allen | Pittsburgh Steelers | S | Plays tonight vs Houston |
| Alex Boone | San Francisco 49ers | OL | Fans still complaining about hold out, 49ers have bigger problems |
| Philly Brown | Carolina Panthers | WR/KR/PR | 2 kicks returns, 55 yards before leaving game due to concussion |
| Chimdi Chekwa | Oakland Raiders | CB | Active in loss to Cardinals but slipping on Oakland's depth chart |
| Kurt Coleman | Kansas City Chiefs | S | 1 tackle, game-clinching interception in win over Chargers |
| Nate Ebner | New England Patriots | DB/ST | Inactive in win over Jets, Thursday, due to a finger injury |
| Ted Ginn Jr. | Arizona Cardinals | WR | 1 reception, 17 yards, 1 fumble in win over Raiders |
| Johnathan Hankins | New York Giants | DT | 3 tackles, temporarily left with injury in loss to Cowboys |
| Brian Hartline | Miami Dolphins | WR | 3 receptions, 35 yards in win over Bears |
| A.J. Hawk | Green Bay Packers | LB | 5 tackles, 1 pass defended in blowout win over Panthers |
| Boom Herron | Indianapolis Colts | RB | 5 carries, 37 yards, 1 "Boom" crowd chant in win over Bengals |
| Cameron Heyward | Pittsburgh Steelers | DE | Plays tonight vs Houston |
| Santonio Holmes | Chicago Bears | WR | Cutler chose to throw it to Miami instead of open Holmes |
| Carlos Hyde | San Francisco 49ers | RB | 3 carries, 15 yards, 2 receptions, 8 yards in loss to Broncos |
| Malcolm Jenkins | Philadelphia Eagles | S | Spent the bye week at the Rutgers game with, ugh, Buck-I-Guy |
| James Laurinaitis | St. Louis Rams | LB | Celebrated win over Seahawks with some situational bourbon |
| Corey Linsley | Green Bay Packers | C | Packers ran for 122 yards in win over Panthers |
| Nick Mangold | New York Jets | C | Held his own in Thursday's loss to the Patriots |
| Jake McQuaide | St. Louis Rams | LS | Key part of special teams unit which converted a fake punt |
| Jack Mewhort | Indianapolis Colts | OL | Returned from ankle injury and Colts offense dominated Bengals |
| Andrew Norwell | Carolina Panthers | OL | Active, finally, and replaced injured Trai Turner at right guard |
| Mike Nugent | Cincinnati Bengals | K | Won't be criticized for his role in a Bengals loss, Cincy shutout |
| DeVier Posey | Houston Texans | WR | If active, will play tonight in Pittsburgh |
| Bradley Roby | Denver Broncos | CB | 7 tackles, held up well vs Anquan Boldin in win over 49ers |
| Dane Sanzenbacher | Cincinnati Bengals | WR | Targeted twice but 0 receptions in loss to Colts |
| Ryan Shazier | Pittsburgh Steelers | LB | Listed as questionable for tonight's game, limited in practice |
| John Simon | Houston Texans | LB | Plays tonight in Pittsburgh |
| Rob Sims | Detroit Lions | OG | Confident in Lions, particularly after comeback win over Saints |
| Donte Whitner | Cleveland Browns | S | 4 tackles in loss to previously winless Jaguars |
