Every week during the regular season, the opposing head coach and sometimes a player speak to the Detroit media via conference call. This week it was only Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis on the call. I also searched around the internet to see what else Bengals players were talking about this week.
So, what did the Bengals have to say about Sunday's matchup in Cincinnati?
View photos of the starters for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Backed up by 16 Cody Core and 80 Josh Malone
Backed up by 73 Eric Winston
Backed up by 63 Christian Westerman
Backed up by 62 Alex Redmond
Backed up by 73 Eric Winston
Backed up 87 C.J. Uzomah
Backed up by 82 Cethan Carter
Backed up by 83 Tyler Boyd and 12 Alex Erickson
Backed up by 5 AJ McCarron
Backed up 25 Giovani Bernard and 23 Brian Hill
Backed up by 94 Chris Smith
Backed up by 99 Andrew Billings
Backed up by 98 Ryan Glasgow
Backed up by 58 Carl Lawson
Backed up by 57 Vincent Rey and 56 Hardy Nickerson
Backed uo by 50 Jordan Evans
Backed up by 21 Darqueze Dennard and 20 KeiVarae Russell
Backed up by 42 Clayton Fejedelem and 40 Brandon Wilson
Backed up by 26 Josh Shaw
Backed up by 83 Tyler Boyd (PR) and 28 Joe Mixon (KR)
1. Marvin Lewis said the approach this week is just the same as it would be if the Bengals (5-9) weren't already eliminated from the playoffs. He said there is a sense of urgency, and he's not going to let players or coaches just go through the motions to finish the season. He made the point that these last two weeks still count on a player's resume, and they have a job to do.
2. To that point, Pro Bowl receiver A.J. Green told ESPN his team has to let everything go, play loose and not be afraid to make mistakes because pride is what they're playing for now. He said he plans to go all out these next two weeks and see what happens. He encourages his teammates to do the same.
3. Rookie defensive tackle Ryan Glasgow is in a unique position this week. He could find himselself directly squaring off against brother and Lions guard/center Graham Glasgow. Lewis said Ryan Glasgow has had a fine season as a reserve defensive tackle.
4. Running back Joe Mixon is in concussion protocol, per Lewis.
5. Marvin Jones Jr. spent his first four seasons in Cincinnati before signing in Detroit as a free agent in 2016. Lewis isn't surprised at all by the success Jones has had with the Lions. He said he continued to develop every year in Cincinnati, and expected the same in Detroit.
6. The Bengals thought they'd have a big-time deep threat in the offense this year after drafting receiver John Ross, who broke the Combine 40-yard-dash record, in the first round. Ross has dealt with injuries all season. He's played in just three games, and was shut down for the season a few weeks back.
"That's part of the NFL," Lewis said. "We all lose players to injury, and you have to have the next man step up and play and go."
