AMPHAR

I don't know about that. Government spending is rarely effective. The results of these projects and judging of the effectiveness is highly influence by a person's political view. Case in point. The NFLPA gives an annual hit list that puts ownership in the cross hairs. That gets a lot of play. The NFLPA also contends there's hundreds of millions of economic benefits to a city that hosts their player's games. So now they aren't accurate? People don't want to admit it but its all about your POV that determines IF these projects are worth it. Its hard for me to believe the 1995 Cincinnati riverfront would become what you'll see today without the public money spent on sports stadiums.

The loss to the Pats is easy to understand. Week 1 NFL. Pats slowed Burrow or Burrow allowed himself to be slowed. Pending how you want to look at it. When they finally got in gear they fumbled twice and had a couple drops. Week 2, Bengals were much more successful in finding underneath stuff then exploiting bigger plays when coverage breaks down. KC ran very well but because the Bengals were scoring never truly relented into just running. If they come out slow on offense vs. Washington they'll get beat. That QB is plenty good enough to win a grind it out game at this stage in his career.

If they got a cap credit then they must have collected a claim, I guess. Sweet. I wonder who wrote the Deshaun Watson policy?

A quick efficient offensive start is always necessary but ultimately important vs. running Qbs/running teams considering our run defense. Just reviewing the all-22 break downs on the first 2 weeks. 1. Bengals pass pro overall has been solid, but there are some let downs on critical downs (mostly 3rd downs) that need to be cleaned up. 2. Related to the above 3rd conversion and red zone touchdowns must improve. 3. It'd be nice to get more chunk plays but they have seen a steady diet of Cover 2. So YAC from underneath routes converting firsts or even creating scoring opportunities would be awesome. They got a couple against KC.

On a side note after all-22 review. On both TD passes somehow Yoshi's towel ends up on the turf. No flag. But no one cares because of the end result. I can guarantee you, the one that was a toe tapper IF it got ruled the other way there would be much conversation about the holding prior that wasn't flagged. This notion of well there's contact so its a penalty is false. They call it subjectively. It was crap call at the end of the game. Chiefs had to make 0 plays to get a winning FG attempt. Hopefully the Bengals get a similar call under 2 minutes to go, trailing on hopeless 4th down later in the season.

You mean the Chiefs won, right? There's still Bengal fans whipping themselves over the Steeler playoff loss. It wasn't the refs, we deserved to lose. Fuck that. That game was an officiating nightmare that once again set up a winning FG for a team that made 0 plays to get it.

Correct. When a ref flips a 4th and 16 into a game winning FG attempt, it deserves to be called out, IMO. This isn't even a rarity in the NFL. It seemingly happens every week to some or multiple fan bases. The Cheifs got a similar penalty circumstance to win a Superbowl vs. the Eagles. Yeah, but hopefully the Bengals will get their Under 2 minute, trailing gift soon on a hopeless 4th down. Could have used it in Superbowl 56 though.

The defender got to the spot first. The contact was caused by the WR moving backwards. The assertion that contact is called damn near every time is false. Hopefully Bengals get a couple bad ref decisions in their favor coming up.

Also in one of the pictures there's "development" what appears to be several buildings added down town. Looks like they are using the stadium as trojan horse for some other city planning stuff.

Do they need a plan? The sales tax is already on the books. I guess it depends if they truly have been properly allocating the sales tax portion to the stadium fund or if they've been funneling it off to cover other budget shortfalls. Looks like a cool stadium. I don't really get the amount of video boards on the outside. The banks draws a crowd in nice weather to watch on the Reds video board. I guess that's the plan? Wouldn't be surprised to see them jack up in stadium ticket prices and then start charging outside stadium access. But remember when the NFLPA demands child care for their players. Everyone is all for that, I guess.

The contact happened because of the WR moving backwards and the DB moving to make a play on the ball. Fans are always going to scream for a flag when their WR is touched. However, there are bunch of times that is simply is a no call. It was bad officiating by the crew on that drive. You are going to let an offense bail themselves out on a 4 and 16 with a jump ball? The reason it was 4th and 16 was they couldn't block, but on the 4th down they couldn't block without holding but you reward the jump ball while the WR was moving backward and ignore the very reason why it was 4th and 16? Just pure crap. Flags should have been kept in the pocket based on the way it unfolded. On a greater scale KCs front office has done a horrible job filling in WRs and OTs. Great QB plays and lucky circumstances bail them out.

Same as the last 2 seasons. In 2022 they go on a run and it was big game and big week after week. 2023 appeared to be the same vs. 9ers/Bills. then Burrow's wrist injury pops up. Cincinnati has always been an offensive town/fan base. Until Burrow/Chase/Higgins win a game putting up big offensive numbers fans are going to hand wring over every little detail. If they grind out a win with average or poor offensive numbers the conversation will focus on Burrow's wrist, Chase/Higgins contract and whatever skill guy that isn't playing because they can't snap the ball. Bengals win MNF football by 1 point - My guess if its 33-32 there's a ton of excitement. If its 17-16 there's a ton of dread.

NFL rules dictate you must gain 10 yards in 4 downs to continue and you can only line up 11 of which 7 must be on the line and typically 5 are ineligible. Bengals did not snap the ball enough which is mostly on Burrow vs. the Patriots to run Burton out there 10 snaps vs. 4. Bengals did slightly better vs. KC. This was a predictable "problem" so and so sucks or needs more playing time blah, blah, blah. If Burrow is not converting 3rds so they can run more plays there will be some one that appears left out in a short sample. How much time did people waste over thinking the TEs before the bye week? Then boom as Burrow's play/accuracy improved he went to TEs as coverage dictated. Both New England and KC were among the better pass defenses last year. The Bengals lost the turnover battle week 1 -2 and won +2. Lost 2 games by 4 points. Commanders have not defended the pass very well at all so far this year vs. Mayfield and Daniel Jones. I hope the Bengals can throw the ball around this week.

The pressure is on for the Bengals to score early (hopefully) TDs. They could easily get pulled into a Patriots scenario with offensive buffoonery early in the game. If you let the Commando just run into the line and eat clock they'll be able to protect the young QB very well.

Same ole, same ole for NFL rule book. By the letter of the law. In reality that's a no call situation. Its a free ball, WR is moving backwards into a defender attempting to play the ball moving forward. If the players are reversed, they aren't calling Offensive pass interference. The players collide. Defender actually touches the ball. Just a horrible call. The refs handed them the opportunity for a game winner FG attempt. You can blame refs plenty in this situation, IMO.

Just have a horrible feeling one of these years they get bit by going 0-2 and slip to 0-3. Once again with the start of the season is a big buz kill. Last year it was calf drama non stop and 0-2. This year is Chase drama non stop 0-2. If only the NFL had practice games they could use to get ready for the season. Stats or records wouldn't count but they could probably televise and sell tickets.

Rex Ryan on one of those ESPN shows says Chiefs don't want a rematch with Bengals. In summary Lou has figured out Mahomes add in Higgins. I wish they would be saying that with a Bengals win from yesterday.

To me the ref behind the line was done calling penalties and was content to "let them play" on the 4th and 16. He had called several penalties prior in Bengals favor. He was done. While the secondary ref was looking to call something. You get a PI that basically hands them a game winning FG attempt; kudos to their kicker. But ignore the bear hug pass pro on the same play. KC tackles are trash. They are basically daring the ref crew to ruin the game then come playoff time they'll get away with murder.

I believe Battle was active on special teams. You could kinda tell in preseason and TC he was not going to be big factor early on IF everyone remained healthy. I don't know why fans consider Battle to be some defensive stopper. He landed on a PFF list one time. Just like William Jackson 111 then fans run with it. PFF is crap. Battle has potential but was just as unreliable as any other safety last year.

Week 1 Joe just didn't see the field very well. They let opportunities slip out of their hand allowing NE to play keep away. They ran 48-50 plays with Chase playing 83% of the snaps. Just hard to consistently force the ball to J'mar player in that circumstance. I do think Joe had a chance to get him the ball on a couple more occasions week 1. Week 2 Joe clearly found other targets. Moved the ball very well. When the all-22 break downs come we'll see if any chances were there for Chase that would turn a FG into a TD or a 3rd down into a first down. I'd say the biggest issue that would change 2 close loses into wins would be ball security. Then better 3rd down performance from an offensive view point. The 0-2 start sucks once again and they have issues to address but this team could easily run off a win streak. Chase eventually will uncork a big day. Higgins I guess with return and now they have a handful of guys that can supplement them that will only cement roles going forward.

I'm thinking Bengals this week with the win.

Its hard to understanding his thinking. 1. Current - He can get $1m or $30m (already been paid roster bonus $3m) 2. Next year - He can get $21m or another $30m. So $60m vs. $22m 3. Year 3 a little murky without details. But the new money is avp $35m. So he's looking at $90-$95m the next 3 years or $47m. That 3 year range is in with CeeDee and JJ. Plus he'll have more total money. What's the fucking problem? Running around on the field risking that much difference to gain what exactly? Chase being let go in 2027 would benefit him IF he is among the best still. At that point he'd have $70m remaining with 27,28,29 seasons to go. He probably beats that. I don't get running around on the field with injury risk when you are looking at instant $29m bump and accumulative potential $40-$45m bump the next 3 years. What's to gain exactly? His market won't drastically reset higher. There's more risk it goes down.

Hard to really see Chases side of things, IMO. Without the seeing details he'd be around $90m for 2024,25, and 26 seasons. Status quo would get him $50m JJ would collect more in the first 3 years but less overall. Not really understanding Chase's strategy. Doesn't seem like a whole lot to gain while risking a bunch.

The last drive suggest wrist watch. I feel better after watching the Goodberry video. 1. Pat played excellent D. A lot 2 deep, 4 across underneath. Good rally to the ball. 2. Bengals protected well. Had answers for the few blitzes. 3. Early; Burrow didn't take easy outlets to RBs the Pats deep coverage. I think he saw them just decided not to. 4. Bengals clearly adjusted and were successful in attacking coverage. But unforced errors (Gesicki dropped TD, Hudson fumble, Jones fumble, Multiple drops) kept the momentum with the Pats. Allowed to keep being conservative on offense. Either bad play call or great D call. On the 4th and 2 screen. Did Burrow check into it? Don't know. Last drive is the mystery. He had a look and routes that indicated a deep shot should be taken. Good pass pro. Didn't take it and invented pressure. Why? "you gotta go high Cole, pick a line and you can drive through it". Burrow won't continue to play this bad. They'll be fine was my take away.

As predicted a lot of Bengal conversation following the loss. Pick your topic 1. Need to get Chase target 2. Yoshi sucks 3. Run more Can't do it if your QB can't convert 3rd downs. Just several instances of bad pressure on 3rd downs and throwing before the markers that didn't result in conversions. Can't do all the running, targeting when your only running 50 some plays.