Just to set the record straight, the Bengals punted on their first drive of the second half.

Punt

turnover

turnover

turnover

 

That about sums it up. Just to set the record straight.

The Packers gave their fans free hot chocolate and coffee this weekend; the Bengals were offering free turnovers.

 

After the fumble though wasn't SD penalized half the distance on the first play so they ran their next 1st down play from the 6 or 8 yard line leading them to decide not to try to get the 1st down? I think you are correct that the fumble cost them 4 and only 4 points at most.

Yes they did....so the 11 yard line wasn't true either ukmustangfan

Yes they did....so the 11 yard line wasn't true either ukmustangfan

 

 

Yes it was. They began the drive at the 11 yard line. They then had a penalty on 1st down that pushed them back. Doesn't change the fact that they had the ball to start the possession on the 11.

I agree, but that's why I said somewhat.

 

Also, who's to say without the fumble, the Bengals don't score the TD on the next play, the D holds them to a 3 and out and the offense has the same amount of time to get themselves back into FG range? I know it would've been asking a lot, but it was a possibility.

 

Agreed. SD wouldn't have been nearly as conservative down 7 with better field position though. I still think the fumble cost them only 4 points and the Bengals had the ball and momentum at half if momentum really matters.

If the Gio fumble would of led to the Chargers scoring and taking the lead, it would of been a huge momentum changer.

fact is they didn't.

 

If the Gio fumble would of led to no points in that las min and a half of first half it could of been a little momentum changer.

Fact is it didn't end that way.

 

If the Chargers could do anything after the Gio fumble to give them the edge, momentum changer? Meh..maybe

 

The fact is the Bengals still kicked a FG so instead of 7 points (which was no garuntee they would score 7) they got 3 points and still took the lead going in to halftime and getting the ball to start the second half.

 

Momentum changer from the Gio Fumble? Only if Gio was ipon your fantasy team.

 

Now who do I blame for the loss?

3 people, Marvin for absolutley no game plan...as even the chargers said the Bengals played the exact same way they did in week 17, no change and nothing surprised them

 

Andy Dalton for being just horrible and not improving at all since his first game in the league.

 

Jay Gruden for coaching like he was still coaching Arena ball. Green Ellis first play of the game for Bengals 8 yard run, then it's arena ball time, throw the ball around the majority of the half. 2nd half first play, 12 yard run by green Ellis or something like that and then back to throwing the ball the majority of the game. What did BJGE have? Something like 8 carries. How did the bengals beat the Chargers the first time? Running the ball.

 

Those 3 are the most responsible for the loss period.

Not disagreeing about the premise of the thread but Gio's fumble was absolutely a momentum swing. Changes the complexion of the game if they get in the end zone.

 

I wouldn't go as far as saying it cost them the game but it was definitely part of a momentum swing.

Not disagreeing about the premise of the thread but Gio's fumble was absolutely a momentum swing. Changes the complexion of the game if they get in the end zone.

 

I wouldn't go as far as saying it cost them the game but it was definitely part of a momentum swing.

How does it change the game that much? So instead of being 10-7 it is possibly 14-7

 

Bengals still had the lead and the ball to start the 2nd half. The Chargers scored 20 unanswered points. How is that because of Gio's fumble?

 

When Gio fumbled it was a tie game.

After Gio's fumble the Bengals go up 10-7 at halftime.

 

Dont by the huge momentum change, especially when the Bengals took the lead after the fact plus the fact that the Bengals still didn't score in the 2nd half so even if they score a TD with no Gio fumble, they still lose 27-14

A definate momentum changer. When Dalton fumbles the ball being an idiot and diving head first short of the first down marker and not even touched and coughs the ball up instead of sliding where the play would be dead at the start of his slide.

 

That was a momentum killer.

How does it change the game that much? So instead of being 10-7 it is possibly 14-7

 

Bengals still had the lead and the ball to start the 2nd half. The Chargers scored 20 unanswered points. How is that because of Gio's fumble?

 

When Gio fumbled it was a tie game.

After Gio's fumble the Bengals go up 10-7 at halftime.

 

Dont by the huge momentum change, especially when the Bengals took the lead after the fact plus the fact that the Bengals still didn't score in the 2nd half so even if they score a TD with no Gio fumble, they still lose 27-14

 

Because you don't know what happens after a possible field goal or touchdown, then kick off. Maybe they get 3, kickoff, hold them like they did AND get another field goal. Too many variables to say it simply wasn't a momentum swing because the defense held. Heck, they got the ball 60 yards away from the end zone instead of having it at the 6. They left points out there.

 

I'm not going to debate every possible scenario but to say there wasn't a shift in momentum when one team has the ball inside the 10 and loses the possession is not understanding the definition of momentum.

 

Again, it may not have cost them the game but it was definitely a Mo changer.

A definate momentum changer. When Dalton fumbles the ball being an idiot and diving head first short of the first down marker and not even touched and coughs the ball up instead of sliding where the play would be dead at the start of his slide.

 

That was a momentum killer.

 

Reminded me of the Sanchez fumble when he ran into his own player.

Reminded me of the Sanchez fumble when he ran into his own player.

I thought the same thing, but the biggest difference was at least in Sanchez's defense, it was caused from hitting another player....Dalton hit nobody and wasn't touched and just fumbled it. 2 classic bad QB's making stupid mistakes at the worst possible times.

I thought the same thing, but the biggest difference was at least in Sanchez's defense, it was caused from hitting another player....Dalton hit nobody and wasn't touched and just fumbled it. 2 classic bad QB's making stupid mistakes at the worst possible times.

 

Sanchez looked like he was sniped in the head.

 

Dalton just looked unathletic (white for pp92). I don't even know how that's possible.

Sanchez looked like he was sniped in the head.

 

Dalton just looked unathletic (white for pp92). I don't even know how that's possible.

:laugh: Very true...plus extra points for the athletic comment.

No one bit on my Bo Jackson curse theory and I really don't think it is valid. Just thought it would be something fun to convey.

 

I'm not a big Xs and Os guy when it comes to football, but I saw a team in the Bengals that was not prepared offensively at all. They beat this same team four weeks ago on the road 17-10 and yes, San Diego had three turnovers in that game. A big part of coaching is evaluating what the opposing team did defensively the first time and anticipating what adjustments they may or may not make and making preparations for those adjustments. The Chargers defense was so dominant, IMO, because the Bengals offense was unprepared for what Pagano threw at them. Dalton seemed to be under pressure all day and some fans I talked to say he was even playing scared. Again, this would show a lack of preparedness in my eyes.

 

As Bear Bryant used to say (and I'm paraphrasing)...Everybody has the will to win, it's the will to prepare to win that makes the difference.