AMPHAR

What is Zac’s OU connection? I thought he was a Nebraska man.

The early issue for the offseason will be how much do you trust Pollack? They have some spots to fill or extend AND they have young guys showing promise. Can you put off drafting a Lineman past pick 150 given the success we've seen? I dunno but keeping/improving that O-line has to be a priority.

During the offseason, I thought they didn't get enough credit for backfilling Lawson and Jackson. I would have been plenty happy with extensions for those two, but their replacements are just simply more productive this year than Lawson and Jackson were their last couple years as Bengals. Bengal fan always revert back to the 90s after a loss. Blaming Mike Brown. Marvin brought in talent off other teams when he got here and then in 2008/09 time frame. Marvin chased Sapp and others. A big difference under ZT and Tobin is the ability to land a higher grade FA not just chase them. Then to have those key acquisitions pay bigger dividends has been fun to see. Still alot of stuff for ZT/Tobin to knock down because the Mike Brown narrative is only a loss away in message board world.

Pollack proving to be the biggest offseason get. The only thing I would argue from above is the "missing piece". Pollack doing a great job. Adeniji doing awesome. The missing piece was probably time because I think this line has been showing signs of improvement since Game 1. Both protection and rushing. They hit another level these past two weeks after the bye and a lot of it is Mixon gaining confidence and keeping his feet more. He has just had some deadly cuts the past few weeks.

4 o' clocks starts, IMO are the best when attending. You get Monday Night, Sunday Night like atmosphere but get home at a decent hour. The last time the 9ers played here they had a ton of fans. I would say they actually had more fans than the Bengals. Might be trouble in the parking lots afterward IF they get level of visitor crowd with a late start. Fun to watch from a distance but bad to participate or get caught up in.

It would be nice to get Mixon the NFL rushing title. The dude for the Colts has 12 games but a nice lead. I don't think a Bengal has ever gotten it.

I know. I just hate the fact they got it wrong.

The only problem I have with this is….The Bengals own Jim McNally popularized zone blocking. Gibbs lines were know for the counter trey and the Hoggs If you dig up the 1988 Bengals year book it has a brief but similar break down of the lineman in sync.

Back when the Bengals were cobbling together 5 playoff season in a row under Andy Dalton they were routinely picked as the team to not qualify during the preseason banter for the next year. Outsiders are just not going to pump this team up until it smacks them in the face.

Hard to believe it was only last season Burrow had the Chargers beat only to be foiled by an untimely Offensive PI removing a game winning TD and then Fat Randy pulling both calf muscle to miss a game tie FG. That team seems like a decade ago.

Joe Thomas to be exact tried to turn the cart into “Bengals too cheap to buy a podium” rant. It was an odd criticism but they are having fun with it.

Baker is either on a death bed OR he's a bigger drama queen than Ben. Early in last night's game Baker had to exert himself and then he's limping this was like a couple plays in the game. If he's that bad they need to shut him down. Browns and Ravens looked horrible. I think Steelers bounce back and beat Ravens. Then Browns do after the bye.

Nice to win TO battle 2nd week in a row.

CBS post game very complimentary towards Bengals. Basically Bengals beat up Steelers.

Who Dey! Been a long time beating them 3 times in a row. Probably just as long with that margin of victory.

Mixon won "Angry Runs" this week. First time the award has gone to Cincinnati.

About as lucky as they were playing us with Bobby Hart.

Steeler board is saying Bouchette (local beat writer) is saying its doubtful Watt and Haden are back this week.

Heyward worries me. Great player never really though of him as a dirty player but there was some stuff from last night that are very questionable. If it was Burfict there would be multiple articles on it this morning. 1st - He drug down Herbert from behind in a hustle play but used his legs to trip him up. That can destroy a QBs knee right there. Very dirty play, IMO. 2nd - After a Herbert scramble he's laying on the QB for some reason. Of course Collinsworth is too busy congratulating him instead of pointing what the hell is he doing. 3rd - Then in the aftermath of him laying on the QB, it looks like he punches Herbert low.

Who Dey! Glad to win the TO margin on the road. Keep that going through the rest of the season.

Can’t run the ball unless you can churn out first downs. They’ve been horrible running and throwing in 2nd/3rd and manageable. Also can’t run the ball as much giving the ball up to the other team.

Turnover margin is my biggest concern or hope for second half. -4 and still winning record is bucking a trend. Get that even or positive and I think things move upward.

Bengals are contenders. Years ago to cut down on teams resting starters for multiple weeks they back loaded schedules with division and conference games. As a result; In the old 16 game, 6 playoff team format a team that was 5-5 after 10 typically controlled their own destiny for division and/or wildcard spot. Sometimes 4-6 would work. I'd say with 17 games and 7 playoff teams a 4-6 team probably controls its own destiny. Using the 4 win mark after 10 there's 12 contenders for 7 spots.

Ugh. Just the way this season is working out, but another game on the road vs. a team that just got blown out. You can never discount professional pride in the NFL. Factor in the Cleveland Browns being a clown show the entire week before they roll into Cincy. I really just don't like these scenarios were the home team the Bengals are playing are ridiculed all week.

There's a lot of inter Division and Conference games coming up. So the playoff picture could flip flop several times.