AMPHAR

Agreed. Burrow was great the first start of his career, but this season after that 1st Qtr vs. Baltimore we have witnessed him morphing into Superstar. Its almost a requirement to be an Elite QB to somehow have an unassuming WR running making plays of a sudden. TI says hi.

Youtube is wonderful. The historic road to the Superbowl is filled with similar circumstances. Really underscores you need great players playing their best and luck. The fact that so many ran with the "fluke" scenario for last year's team just underscores the lack of respect the rest of the NFL world has for the Cincinnati market. Now here we are maybe the best team in the AFC with 3 pro bowlers. Come on. Just about every Conference winner in the history of the Superbowl era has a few things break their way that could be considered a fluke. I hope they roll Monday night. Get Burrow in that top MVP conversation spot.

Long week. Joe won his 3rd AFC player of week award this season. So would a win and big offensive performance jolt him up to MVP status?

Crazy things happen in the NFL mostly because the talent is spread across the league. As fondly we remember the 1988 AFC Champ Bengals team they were damn close to losing the AFC Central title the final week. Took a ball off the upright in the final seconds and then a forced fumble in OT to beat the defending Champs the final week or the Oilers would have won the division. Then the following day (Bengals played on Sat) the Bills lose to a horrible Colts team at home to give the 1 seed to the Bengals. What a swing of events back then.

Rather see the Steelers win and Bengals win on Monday to clinch. Then the Ravens probably can't improve playoff seeding dramatically the last week sit starters. Bengals win and then can root against Chiefs to take an L.

In regards to signing a tackle. They'll likely add to the spot once Collins is officially IR'd. If Superbowl is your goal then there is more than a month left. Whitworth and Williams certainly should be in play for at least a kick of the tires. Factor in depth and 6th OL snaps that they have used this season. Those guys aren't interested or aren't ready/better than what you have so be it. I think the Rams signed Weddle last year after not playing for 2 years and got starting snaps out of him immediately for a Superbowl run. You aren't looking for a 18 week all-pro starter. Looking for someone as insurance and to fill the gap maybe suck up some snaps.

IMO, Lamar is an elite play making QB that struggles with touch on passes. We'll see how this season and off season plays out, but I thought they had a bad draft on the draft while most talking heads were stroking them off. Lamar needs better WRs to help with his weakness. I expect Baltimore to franchise and then have some drama with him, maybe a trade. If trade, then Baltimore will need to nail the high level picks or they in big Colts type trouble.

With anything awards related in the NFL, if you are a Bengal player you must leave no doubt in a major stat category or slowly build up a following. Often Bengal players get recognized after a couple of seasons or more of high level play. The Cincinnati sports media simply isn't that big and neither is the fan base. A deserving Bengal player gets snubbed the outrage will be muffled compared to others. You can see that in the pre season projections. Universally it seemed the Bengals were picked as fall off and a fluke. Back when Marvin got 5 years and 6 out of 7 years in the playoffs, almost every year the Bengals were picked to be the playoff team that wouldn't return. Meanwhile when national people talk about the Ravens or Steelers defense its completely based on yesteryear players and accomplishments.

Yet most national talking head had the Bengals as the most likely to fall off.

I have to think there is probably some scenarios involving ties or some very remote stuff happening preventing showing the Bengals as "clinched" already. Basically the way I take that scenario is 1 more Jets loss and the Bengals are the 7th seed even if they go 0-3.

Nantz was a wet sponge on the Pratt pick.

Mixon has been apart of the solution to the "tampa 2" problem. Cap growth is coming and the Bengals will be multi millions under. I don't see an issue with Mixon's cap hits through 2024. Mixon has already matched his receiving totals from last year.

I don't know they did but the DB was all out trying to get involved in the run game. Perfectly timed and executed. Steelers and Bettis used to have perfect timing against the Bengals defense for some kinda gadget. When Hurst comes back they should explore the ole TE throw back screen either off a fake or have a RB throw it.

Joe's look of confidence after that TD. Awesome.

I had the endzone view too. I thought it was a Red Zone Int. Just an incredible play and ball. Not to mention it look like Chase saw it at the last possible second. Great catch too.

Burrow got sterotyped and never had multiple pro days or a scouting combine to dispell those assumptions. You watch any of these QB breakdowns his arm strength is noted as very good and they note his athleticism. He's just not a "freak". However his pre snap ability has always been his strength. Then he is great at extending plays. To me that's the "it" factor. I don't know how you measure it but Joe extends plays very well and makes it look easy. Not to shit on Dalton, but Andy would constantly get out of pocket for no reason and then run himself into situations with no possible opportunity. I don't know how Joe does it but when he's out of pocket he seems to know were an option is going to be.

I just heard that a bone pierced the skin so hopefully its still a couple weeks.

I think they said Boyd 2 weeks

Charges dropped on the punt god.

Glorious video.

Big game for the OL that has lifted its game since the bye week. Volson probably played his best game last week. It is not coincidence that both Jonah and Volson are lifting their game together as reps are had. Jonah was alright early this season then dropped to horrific a couple games before Panthers game. The Browns have in the past moved Myles to a match up he can exploit, so hopefully they make him a ghost like the previous elite rushers they've faced these recent weeks. That's probably the key. Silence Myles and the Browns front 7; the offense can operate and put scoring pressure on the Browns. In turn the Bengals D can win enough rushing reps then need to eliminate those bad 3rd down conversions they gave up in Cleveland.

White Tiger uni's are awesome but the current orange jersey and black pants combo are my favorites. Really did a nice job with these unis.

He must have low standards.

The last meeting Browns had some key 3rd downs on offense that gave them ability to feed Chubb. The past 2 meetings that meant something it seems the Browns have dictated tempo/physical to the Bengals. Bengals O-line needs some redemption in this one.

Remember all the flack Zac got for having him in the final drive of Superbowl? Nah, this guy can play. Mixon coming back will be a nightmare for opposing defenses. 2 headed monster rotating in along with all the studs on the outside with a good solid OL.