Stripes

I think the salary cap situation is too tight right now, so nothing happens. If they do make a move, I suppose IDL is the way.

Nothing says "Bengals versus Browns" quite like three fumbles in one play. That was great.

Burrow interview on Eisen. It's a lot of the same stuff he's asked in any interview, but I liked hearing him confront his record against the Browns. It's pretty clear he wants this one. I used the spoiler function to reduce the video for the sake of people loading the page. No idea if it will do anything. We'll see.

Boling was a 4th rounder, yes. He’s still the only decent example in a while.

Another ho hum AFC Offensive Player of the Week award for Joe Burrow.

How about you keep your mental inventory of the Arby’s menu updated, COB? How about you come prepared to recite that order in a seamless stream of human voice, straight into that speaker, with the assertiveness and confidence of a modern Bengals quarterback, knowing beyond all doubt that it is a valid order and that you will eat it? Get your head in the ***damn game.

If Tufele ends up being another last-minute miracle pickup like BJ Hill, give Tobin an award.

Always like JT’s breakdowns. That first bomb to Boyd could have easily gone to Higgins with the same result. They were both clear even before the safety fell down, and after that it was a snooze TD for whichever one Burrow threw to.

It’s just part of the recording fans hear as they enter the stadium. Marisa read the script.

I will be there in the sea of pumpkins. I’ll try not to get physically accosted.

Enjoy Lou Anarumo while we have him. I can’t imagine he gets through next offseason without head coaching interviews.

Without Marisa, how would I know that unruly behavior in the stadium will not be tolerated?

He’s just going to let everyone obsess over Allen and Mahomes and show up in the playoffs with a chip on his shoulder. Again.

Good old fashioned Cincinnati ass whooping.

Huber over Crisman was a poor choice.

Kill them.

Don’t get hopelessly flattened against the run, even if you bend. That’s really the whole game to me.

At least the first pick six was completely the receiver’s fault. But when you have to say first pick six… yikes.

It’s not a sure bet, but the Dolphins are probably a bigger playoff berth obstruction to the Bengals than the Steelers are. If Baltimore wins the division then these things matter.

Browns @ Ravens Steelers @ Dolphins Probably rooting for the road team in both games for the Bengals’ sake this week.

Mike Santagana (via Locked On) seemed to think it was a mixed bag for Tufele, showing some good things and also getting plastered on a play or two. For a #3 NT, I would be happy with a mixed bag.

This isn’t to criticize Army or TJ, because they’re hardly alone in having some concerns about the linebacker room. I suspect though that at least some of it stems from a dated perception of defensive structure. If we’re still thinking in 4-3/3-4 terms, it will look barren just by pure numbers. But linebackers are just less important than they once were around the league, and the Bengals (as well as most other teams) simply don’t keep very many of them anymore. When you only have two on the field for most of the game, it’s just not wise to spend roster spots on the position. As running backs wane in importance, so do linebackers. The running game in general is fast becoming obsolete. Run-heavy teams used to be Super Bowl contenders 20 years ago, and now they’re just “teams with subpar quarterbacks”.

I think they’re high on ADG, and Pratt is solid. The two of them might be all you need, and Johnston has a lot of snaps to his name if needed. I think it’s a pretty deep room.

I think it’s more that the receiver was already falling down and the ball was unlikely to be caught regardless of Dax. That’s not to take away from him. Nice play, rookie.

Losing Wilson is definitely a problem for a team already struggling to stop the run. I do believe in Pratt, ADG, Johnston, and Bailey enough though that I tend to focus my worries more on the interior defensive line. The rotation was already thin before Tupou got hurt. They really need to bring in a body alongside Tufele (and Tupou if he can go), because Shelvin isn't going to cut it.