CINCINNATI — The way the team Cincinnati is performing in the red zone may not be worthy of any red flags, but it certainly will be an area of emphasis as the undefeated Bengals return from their bye week.

Of the Bengals’ 10 possessions inside the opponent’s 20-yard line, six resulted in touchdowns. That 60 percent success rate has the team ranked tied for 11th in the NFL. The other four possessions led to field goals, making Cincinnati one of nine teams to score on every red-zone possession.

“There’s still meat on the bone,” said wide receiver Marvin Jones, who likely will make his season debut Sunday night at New England after breaking his left foot Aug. 9.

Jones was one of quarterback Andy Dalton’s top targets in the red zone a year ago, with nine of his 10 touchdowns coming inside the 20.

“When we got in the red zone last year, he was unbelievable,” Dalton said. “Just having another playmaker out there that can do really good stuff for us. It will be fun to have him back.

“He’s got really good ball skills. He goes up and makes plays and attacks the ball. That’s why he caught so many touchdowns last year. Making plays, going up and getting it. He can do it all.”

Known more for his speed and ability to stretch the field, Jones said his ability to make plays when the field shrinks is a great source of pride.

“I start itching when we pass the 40-yard line because we have that confidence and that ability to, wherever Andy places the ball, we can go up and get it,” he said. “You just get in the mode. Everything enhances. When you’re on the 40 on the other side (of the field), you’re making plays and things like that, but once you get close to the red zone, those are important opportunities to get.”

REPORT CARD AT THE BYE

PASSING OFFENSE: A-minus — The Bengals have yet to allow a sack, and QB Andy Dalton has thrown only one interception in 84 attempts. Dalton has relied a little too heavily on Pro Bowl WR A.J. Green at times in the past, but he is doing a better job of spreading the ball around this season as Green, WR Mohamed Sanu and RB Giovani Bernard are tied for the team lead in receptions. Eleven players caught passes through the first three games, and starting WR Marvin Jones (foot) has yet to play a snap.

RUSHING OFFENSE: B-minus — The team is averaging only 3.6 yards per carry, and its longest run of the season was 16 yards. However, the Bengals have been great near the goal line and in short-yardage situations, and they have yet to fumble. Rookie WR Jeremy Hill has been a bright spot, averaging 5.1 yards per carry with two touchdowns. He should see his carries increase as the year progresses.

PASS DEFENSE: B — The Bengals rank in the middle of the pack in pass defense, but that is somewhat misleading. They held double-digit leads in the second half of all three games, including margins of more than 20 points in the last two games, forcing opponents to pass on every down. Foes have thrown the ball 140 times, an average of 46.7 per game. The Bengals lead the NFL in completion percentage allowed at .543.

RUSH DEFENSE: C — After ranking fifth in the NFL against the run a year ago, the Bengals are a disappointing 18th in that category this season. Opponents are averaging 5.1 yards per carry. Part of that can be attributed to Pro Bowl LB Vontaze Burfict, the NFL leader in tackles in 2013, playing just 54 of 205 snaps (26.3 percent) due to two concussions.

SPECIAL TEAMS: A-minus — Kevin Huber put eight of his 12 punts inside the 20 and has yet to have one result in a touchback. The coverage unit has been solid as well, allowing just 10 return yards in three games. PK Mike Nugent has seven field goals, a pace that puts him well ahead of the 21 he made last year, but he also has five misses, one more than he had in all of 2013.

COACHING: A — Hard to dock any points when the team is undefeated, including back-to-back dominant wins. The game plans have been terrific, with the Bengals jumping on teams early to outscore opponents by a combined 44-3 in the first half. Potentially devastating injuries to Pro Bowlers Green and Burfict have not hurt the team thanks to a well-coached, well-developed bench.