NFL Cincinnati Bengals

Vincent Rey Will Be X-Factor For Cincinnati Bengals In Week 7

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By @NFLNostradamus

Cincinnati Bengals, Vincent Rey, Indianapolis Colts

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Linebacker Vincent Rey has been thrust into a starting role for the Cincinnati Bengals before, and Week 6 injuries to starters Rey Maualuga (hamstring) and Emmanuel Lamur (shoulder) are going to thrust Rey into that role again in Week 7 against the Indianapolis Colts.

The fourth-year veteran made two starts for Vontaze Burfict this year and made three last year when pressed into duty. His versatility allows Rey to shift between middle, strong side and weak side linebacker in the Bengals’ 4-3 base defense, as well as play in the nickel defense which will be required quite a bit against the Colts’ offensive juggernaut.

Rey will join Burfict in the effort to plug gaps to stop the Colts’ running game tandem of Trent Richardson and Ahmad Bradshaw. He’ll also be pressed into coverage at times in zone and man against both backs, as well as the Colts’ effective tight end tandem.

As a more level-headed leader than Burfict, Rey will also have to help Jayson DiManche back into his role as starting strong side backer if Lamur’s shoulder injury forces him out of action. The Bengals will play safety Taylor Mays more in the nickel as a hybrid linebacker against backfield and tight end targets, but it will be Rey who stands to make or break the Bengals in Week 7 on defense.

The Bengals’ offense is likely to hold its own minus the team’s two best wide receivers in A.J. Green and Marvin Jones (who is now out for the year), so the difference in the game will boil down to whether or not the Bengals’ defense can make enough stops to win the crucial AFC matchup.

With 80 points given up the last games, the Bengals’ defense is hardly operating from a position of strength against one of the best offenses in the NFL. But an active and effective Rey can make a big difference in a game that is likely to have its outcome decided by whichever team has the ball last.

Robb Hoff is a Cincinnati Reds writer for www.RantSports.com. Follow him on Twitter @NFLNostradamus, like him on Facebook and add him to your network on Google.

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