Stripes

The Bengals' chance to win dramatically decreases with the backup quarterback. That's true for the vast majority of teams in the NFL. From an attitude perspective, "they should win anyway" is fine -- but it isn't grounded in reality. They're much worse without Joe Burrow. They "can" win anyway, but it'd take their best across the board and probably a little luck too.

Janeane Garofalo suggested that Burrow is feeling better. I tend to think he plays, and I think he should play if he is feeling decent. I'm not handing a Super Bowl window to Jake Browning for a week if I don't have to, fear be damned.

0-2 is a gigantic failure for this roster. Period. They can pull out of it, and I like their chances. But you can already pretty much kiss the one seed goodbye, barring a miracle. On the bright side, this game looked a lot more like the 0-2 start of last year.

I didn’t like the clock management on the previous drive, and they left themselves no margin for error.

Glad to score. Took too long. Defense has to give up no more than one first down.

This punter just seems brutal.

4/4 on third down that drive. Good. Play defense.

20-3 without a special teams break. Worrying.

Woof.

Pick it up

Way too easy. They’re strolling right down the field.

Nick Scott is 0/2 when streaking unblocked into the backfield.

Annoying to kick a FG, but they stayed on the field and looked competent.

Possess the damned ball. Even if you don’t score, keep it for a few minutes. Let the defense take a piss break.

Thanks for kicking Harbaugh

*crosses ref’s name off of kill list with red lipstick*

Everything is thrown to the line of scrimmage or go balls. Let’s get those intermediate routes that Joe throws better than anyone alive.

Gotta capitalize on a Tucker miss.

Weak punt too. Need better, Robbins.

Eyeballs starting to tweak

Ugly. Half the quarter is gone. Can’t go laying another egg offensively. Hopefully the Ravens lose steam when the scripted plays end. Nick Scott looks rough.

Sure would be nice to watch the game today without developing an ulcer. Let's go.

I think I’ve decided that the slow starts are largely a scheme issue. Certainly the appendectomy and calf are in play too, but I think this staff needs a baseline before they get cooking. Unfortunately that baseline is often a stinker or two. They are extremely adaptive, and that’s to be commended. But that requires tangible regular season film.

Absolutely must win your home opener against a Ravens team missing so many important pieces. No excuses.

Trade deadline…? In-season cap space for a new toy?