Stripes

Zero problem with going for it on 4th down. That's a pretty ordinary decision anyway. The playcall was weak. That's a frustrating trend too (goofy 4th down playcalls that get cute). If the old Zac Taylor specter from before 2021 returns, as in losing one-score games, it's a bad omen. There were some clutch moments where they came up short on both sides of the ball.

8

Unfortunate. Good division battle. Go beat the bad NFC South teams up next.

ZAC CALL TIMEOUT

Need you now, defense. Give us your best for two minutes.

Joe has led a game tying or "winning" (sans longsnapper) drive late in the 4th/OT repeatedly this year (twice against Pittsburgh and once against Dallas). Plenty of opportunity still in front of them.

Thank god they're kicking.

Defense has to respond better when they open a drive at the 2.

Perhaps, but take that up with the entire league.

I'm not thrilled with the 4th down playcall though. It reduces Joe Burrow's agency over the play. Let him throw a proper pass.

I understand the conventional wisdom about taking the points, but this is the NFL now. Zac Taylor is one of about 28 coaches that make the same decision there. Teams don't kick field goals inside the three yard line very often, even when there's a chance to tie. It was very surprising when Taylor did it last week, but that was to take the lead.

I don't blame Zac for going for it. Every analytic tool will tell you a FG there is dumb.

The pick play to Hurst and that shovel pass were both just way out of sync. Gotta play tight defense while they're backed up.

Boyd has got to throw that ball away.

Joe's chemistry with Hurst is looking good.

The AFC North kicker arms race is going to be juicy as this game closes out.

Consecutive huge plays by Bell.

Fuck

Good chance Jackson's timing is off with these guys, since Rashod Bateman is his deep ball guy.

Gotta make them pay for missing that. Touchdown immediately.

LUCKY AS HELL WORKS FOR ME.

Sam Hubbard is the perfect player to face Jackson.

Well that was a weird kick.

I'm very encouraged by the running game in the second quarter. Either Baltimore stays in 2-high and we have the opportunity to keep building, or they bail and Chase eats them alive.

What better place to drop a halftime deuce than the city of Baltimore?