Stripes

Revisiting perhaps my favorite play of the regular season: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KgVYhLLZZU

The Bengals were awesome against Dawson Knox on Sunday. Obviously he is no Kelce, but it leaves me optimistic since they were operating without Flowers. They seem to have a defensive answer for every crisis (I was terrified of Diggs against Apple/CTB too, and he did nothing). The safeties, Dax, and Flowers should combine to give Kelce a significant challenge -- certainly more than Jacksonville did. They basically just let him do whatever he wanted.

Either he’s drugged up for practice or he’s fine. They’ll be ready regardless.

I will be performing all the necessary voodoo to enhance and repair Cappa's ankle so that he may join in the domination.

A few low-level implications of the game Sunday: Win, and Joe Burrow is the most successful Bengals QB ever by any inspired measure. Win, and Zac Taylor is the most successful Bengals coach ever by any inspired measure. Win, and Ja'Marr Chase is two for two in the category "play NFL season, play in Super Bowl" (same goes for all 2021 picks). Win, and Mike Brown will have as many Super Bowl appearances as the owner as his father had. Obviously the journey doesn't end there, and there are bigger goals. But these are still remarkable prospects.

The Patriots were a trash can before Brady showed up. This is how it has worked for decades, and folks are still slow to accept it outside the fanbase. And then, when they finally come to realize that their initial impression was wrong... many move straight to hating instead of commending. So fuck 'em. Let's win a Lombardi.

It's gotta feel weird to be Chris Lammons this week.

I don't quite trust PFF's accounts of OL play in general. Burrow did have to step up in the pocket a few times though, and it's possible they charge a pressure even for that. I'm not sure.

I don't have the run-blocking grades on-hand.

Everyone was solid other than Adeniji, who was middling (if I recall). Carman received strong marks in pass protection.

Looks like I was just promoted to the rank of message board "mentor". Oh gee whiz. If any zoners are looking for mentorship, I charge $300 per hour.

I would have like a more encouraging report for Karras than that, but I will just plug my ears and lalalalalala until I see an injury report.

I don’t care if Apple wants to troll. Whatever gets him going, fine. Just don’t include the emoji everyone associates with Damar Hamlin in it. That’s not right.

That’s going to be a memorable experience, Army and Jr.

Grabbing Scharping late from the wire was an awesome move. Price-for-BJ Hill was a similar situation two years ago.

Check out number 1. Nice. But also check out last place, in a distant standalone blue. That's what you want to see when your defense is about to face Chase, Higgins, Boyd, Hurst, Mixon, Perine, and Irwin.

Joe’s better himself too.

Line opens Chiefs -1.0. So we’ll teach them their lesson again.

Not sure if I want 7th round Boy Wonder or Lord Interception in the Super Bowl

Hahahahaha

Burrow had a look in his eye today. I don’t normally say stuff like that. It’s so corny. But he did. He took the game by the throat and did not let it up for air.

Who dey baybay

Better in terms of sack totals at least. In terms of personnel, beatable.

Adeniji. Scharping. Carman. 1 sack. 34 carries for 172 yards.

Very curious about the opening line.