Even though the Bengals lost 34-30, there's some encouragement that came out of Sunday's loss. By playing their younger guys, the team's future is getting experience now. Carlos Dunlap recorded 3.5 quarterback sacks in his previous two games and 4.5 quarterbacks sacks in his previous four games. Dunlap also has at least a quarterback hit or pressure in every game dating back to the team's November 8 loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Geno Atkins is rated as the team's best pass rusher by Pro Football Focus with 13 quarterback pressures, five quarterback hits and 1.5 quarterbacks. Even Michael Johnson has been coming around recently with four passes batted at the line of scrimmage between the Bills and Jets -- with four stops against the Jets constituting a negative offensive play -- and at least one quarterback pressure in five of his previous six games.

When asked about Cincinnati's improved pass rush from the team's two rookie defensive linemen and Johnson, Marvin Lewis said:

“They’re doing a good job. It’s good to see. It’s been one of the positives to come out of this, those guys and their development. They’re building some confidence that they can put pressure on the quarterback, and they are. They made him (Drew Brees) throw the ball out of time a bunch. He’s usually able to check it down to the guy standing in the flat, but we were tackling the catch and getting off the field, and that’s what you have to do. Those guys have done a good job. I think it has built confidence that they keep getting better and better. Some of the things they’re doing are better and more efficient, and then just their individual rush (has gotten better).”