Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals have begun the 2014 NFL season with a strong start and are currently 3-1. On Sunday they will face off against Cam Newton and the visiting Carolina Panthers. This is a matchup of 2 first place teams. The Bengals will have to compete without wide receiver A.J. Green, as he aggravated a previously existing injury earlier in the week at practice. Wide receiver Marvin Jones is also expected to sit out due an ankle injury. This will be a challenge the team must prepare for, being down 2 catchers. On Carolina’s side, Newton will play despite battling some injuries so far this season and tight end Greg Olsen is also expected to play even though he has an ankle injury.

The Bengals will look to rebound from last week against the New England Patriots who handed Cincinnati its only loss of the season so far. Cincinnati’s defense gave up 43 points so major adjustments will be needed to avoid this again. The Patriots had more than double the Bengals total yards at halftime.

Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton will need to identify alternative options with 2 of the teams leading receivers out this week. The team’s defense will need to tighten up after last week’s game and the whole squad must stay healthy in order to continue to establish themselves as a major contender across the league.

In a time where the NFL is being plagued with bad news and player scandals, the Bengals have too have made headlines, but for another reason. Defensive tackle Devon Still shared his story at the start of the season, that his 4-year old daughter, Leah, was diagnosed with pediatric cancer. The Bengals kept Still on the practice squad despite earlier rumors that he was going to be released this season, so he will still receive medical insurance to help pay for Leah’s necessary treatments. Still has shared Leah’s progress with fans and supporters nationwide, and the Bengals agreed to make a donation to pediatric cancer research for all Devon Still jerseys that were purchased. The team’s website states that the donation exceed $1 million due to the generosity and support of fans and other NFL players and staff. Sean Peyton, head coach of the New Orleans Saints purchased 100 jerseys himself.