INGLEWOOD, Calif. _ Playing the Jim Harbaugh Chargers isn't much different than playing the John Harbaugh Ravens. Or the Mike Tomlin Steelers, for that matter.
Pure AFC North.
Or as Jordan Battle, the Bengals' emerging sophomore safety from Alabama, calls it, "SEC Ball."
"A little bit," said Battle last week of Harbaugh's interest in him attending Michigan out of high school. "I talked to (another coach on staff), but Michigan wasn't in the picture."
Battle has worked himself into the Bengals' picture the last two games, playing a combined 61 snaps and pretty much splitting time with veteran Vonn Bell. After overcoming some weighty issues early in training camp, he's improving in third-down matchups with tight ends and giving them badly-needed oomph against the run.
"Jordan strung together some good practices early in the season and that gave us confidence in getting him some more snaps," said safety coach Jordan Kovacs last week. "Since then, we've been trying different ways to get him on the field and more involved in the game plan."
Battle had a huge, early fourth-down play on Raiders rookie tight end Brock Bowers earlier this month in the win over Las Vegas, and he got acquainted with Pro Bowl tight end Mark Andrews four days later in Baltimore.
Battle said he came into training camp about five to six pounds overweight: It wasn't lack of working out or conditioning, but simply diet. He says he feels good now at about 212 pounds.
He continues to be one of their most consistent tacklers in the run game and didn't have any misses in the last two games when he's played the most. He's got one miss to go with his 13 tackles.
"I think I'm doing a good job taking advantage of this opportunity that has been presented to me," Battle said. "Being able to play faster knowing the playbook, studying the other teams' games and their go-to guys. Being locked in on your keys and having your eyes in the right place and be able to play fast.
"There's always room for improvement. You can always get better and limit some of the balls I have given up in the passing game covering tight ends. Not up to my standard. The main thing I'm trying to build is confidence within the team, and my teammates and the coaches. But it starts with us (players) first,0 though. Confidence in each other."
He seems to be getting that from veterans such as slot cornerback Mike Hilton, who says his communication has been better.
"He's coming along. He's learned a lot from Vonn. He's communicating a lot better," Hilton says. "And he's making plays when he has an opportunity. I expect him to keep growing and be a focal point of this defense. He's back there directing traffic a lot more. Making sure the guys are in the right positions, the right calls."
And he's put confidence in his position coach.
"He's a physical kid and plays with great energy. You feel him when he's on the field," Kovacs said. "I'm excited to see him grow both as a player and leader through the remainder of the season. Having vets like Vonn and Geno (Stone) to show him the ropes has been invaluable. His games is on the ascent."
Battle knows the Chargers are going to have to feel him. With Harbaugh's Chargers looking to keep Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow off the field for their NFL-best scoring defense, Battle is expecting plenty of runs.
"They're going to try and be more physical than we are and keep the ball in their hands for as long as possible," Battle said. "Limit the possessions for Joe. We have to turn them over they do a great job keeping the ball. I think they're second in the league in plus-nine (turnover differential). We have to get the ball back for Joe."
BROWN, RANKINS OUT
Left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (knee/leg) was questionable when he got on the plane Friday but ruled out Sunday for the third straight game. Starting defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins fell ill and was put on the inactive list. That meant more work for rookies Kris Jenkins Jr. and McKinnley Jackson, and vet Jay Tufele was active for the second straight game.
Wide receivers Charlie Jones (groin) and newest Bengal Isaiah Williams were also inactive, as was safety Daijahn Anthony, linebacker Joe Bachie and tight end Tanner McLachlan.
WIDE RECEIVERS GALORE
With Tee Higgins back on the field for the first time in four weeks, five of the Bengals' top 14 all-time receivers were in the building. No. 3 Isaac Curtis (7,101) and No. 9 T.J. Houshmandzadeh (5,782) planned to go as fans and No. 5 Cris Collinsworth (6,698) was calling the game for NBC while No. 11 Ja’Marr Chase (4,698) and No. 14 Higgins (4,025) were teeing it up.
Chase needs six yards to pass Tim McGee into tenth, where it's another grand or so to get to No. 9 and Houshmandzadeh.
GAME CAPTAINS
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor put it on his defense right away in the form of the game captains: Vonn Bell, defensive end Sam Hubbard, and linebackers Germaine Pratt and Akeem Davis-Gaither.
