AMPHAR

Joe runs the game as much if not more than any other franchise QB. But a lot of stuff is mixed up pre snap and its crazy what can change post snap. I'd say its rare a singular play is ever called. Its incredible how fast NFL QBs process information. From the couch whenever Joe puts his hands up to his helmet he's changing the play for sure. But any route combination can change just based on pre-snap formation and like wise post snap based on what the coverage does. Supposedly what Cleveland does so well vs. Bengals is they know how to make 1 coverage technique look like another and apparently confuses Joe.

Also wish the D could have not allowed the points before half or the TD after half. That was probably the most disappointing part of the defensive effort. Joe throws a TD to go up 14-7. Next time he touches the ball he's down 16-14.

Not saying fans should have faith in the defense at this point. But when there's a lack of faith in a defensive unit any member not putting up stats will be questioned and the dirty work will be overlooked. No better example of this than Rey Maualuga. Basically with Zimmer he operated like an off the ball NT used to disrupt G/Cs blocking to clog lanes not make tackles. Stewart supposedly had a lot of good dirty work plays. 0 tackles and sacks will still have people doubting. That's why I was hoping he and Murphy could get of the snide with sacks. Hopefully, the defensive unit be better but 1st round DE without sacks will not be looked upon favorably on a bad unit. See Justin Smith.

Summarizes struggles from last year and early in the season. 1st- I think Gesicki should have gotten the flag after what we saw the first Browns drive. 2nd - Clear Joe isn't seeing the field because Chase might have been open for TD? All reminds me of last year watching Patriots and Joe is electing for a 5 yard scramble over a dump off for 30+ If you entertain that throwing to Chase eventually results in a TD then the game takes a whole new life with momentum because there's no way the Browns can sit on the ball trailing 21-16. They talked about that alot during the off season in which they missed plays earlier in the game that resulted in being a too close for comfort ending.

OL had some bright spots. The 3 sack series a portion of blame can be shared with Burrow/Play Call.

Best thing about beating Cleveland week 1 is you don't see them until the end of year. Fans see Cleveland and think about the typical dumpster fire that organization has been forever. Easy blow out win. First, blow wins on the road are hard. So far in week 1 any road team winning has been a 1 score or less win. Second, Browns defense is good enough and Flacco is competent enough to steal victories. Its when the thin playoff hopes fade, insert young ill-prepared QB, then vets start checking out, that's when the dumpster fire happens.

Good to see and read about Shemar.

Also when Joe scores 40 and loses. National Media says he should ask for a trade. Lamar scores 40 in a loss? Can't wait for all the trade talk this week.

Lucas Patrick is a guy you may want to IR for a return and sign somebody for depth. He's been dealing with something lower body since the start of TC. Let him get healthy.

Joe had another bad opener, period. Just watching some of the play break downs. I'm not sure you can put ALL the sacks on the line. But ball placement or timing was bad (to his standards) on several throws. The most notable were the back to back completions in which Cleveland defenders knocked them out of bounds. Ball should could have been better to secure those plays. He pulled a classic Andy tossing one that hits the white on a deep ball. Not sure what it is with him but I do think the threat of the Cleveland pass rush messed with his head a little.

Its good to be 1-0 in division. There were multiple road teams that took bad division loses including NFC favorite Lions and AFC favorite Chiefs. Both looked like non playoff teams. However, preseason is an indicator of nothing as we can see the Bengals actually know how to be in run gaps vs. the preseason performance and unfortunately for football fans Week 1 and 2 teams are still ramping up. Week 1 and 2 is just something you try to survive and avoid facing the dreaded 0-3 start.

The ref thing is annoying, IMO. I remember last year as well. Cleveland has crappy QB and WRs in comparison to the Bengals. It flips when it comes to secondary. I think the Browns had 4 or 5 passing penalties in the secondary today. 3 in the first drive. I think Bengals 1 all day. IF the penalties that were called on the Browns first drive were legit. Then there's no way in hell with the way the Browns play there's only 1 flag IF I'm remembering correctly. In the drive following the battle INT they could have and should have called PI on a ball to Gesicki IF any of those 3 first drive calls were the standard. Last year up in Cleveland Browns got a ticky tack one in the endzone that set up a TD for them. The refs actually picked a flag up on a call vs. Chase. It is bullshit. It was that way, IMO, in both Ravens games as well.

I don't think Defense was perfect at all, actually some annoying 2nd down defense. But they produced a INT and the offense can't punch it in. Hold to a FG attempt after the offense giving up 3 sacks in a row. Lucky with missed FG. Offense can't get a first down. Produce another TO. I'd say that's the assumed needed defense for this year assuming the offense doesn't suck.

Also. Browns got 3 PI or whatever penalties on the 1st drive. The Bengals get 1 PI in the game? Bullshit ref. So glad they won but hard for me to believe Browns can cover that well and IF those 1st Browns Drive calls were legit that Bengals weren't held/PI except 1 time.

Got lucky. Complete bullshit by Zac, Burrow and OL in that 4th quarter. Play calling on that 3 sack series stupid, pass pro weak. Lucky to get a miss FG and then can't get a 1st down complete bullshit offense. Lucky as hell. Defense. Kudos. Not perfect thought their 2nd down defense was shitty all day. But secured the win. Much to improve on but survived the first week is so much better than losing that game.

Karras Extended which might be their most important FA at the moment. Hopefully a defender or two step up to warrant worry about extending come March.

"I thinking Arbys!". That horsy sauce on the Italian is like an odd couple but soul mates at the same time.

No shit? Italian Sub back at Arbys? First Diet Cherry Coke back and now Arbys Italian Sub. Fuck yeah.

Mike Brown was voted sexiest Lumina owner sometime in the 90s.

If Bengals can get Myles Garret to spit on Burrow before game, that's the best pass pro adjustment that will be made all day.

Browns D-line will be a challenge for sure. I just don't think it will be wise of Burrow to look to extend plays early in the game. I think he needs to get the ball out or throw it away. I really think early on it should be dink and dunk from the Bengals and can a very talented group yac their way to manageable late downs/distance? Bengals should be able to put all 3 backs in on any down and be confident in pass pro and pass reception ability. That's a huge plus in this game, BUT the QB has to want to be boring and sometimes that hasn't been the case with Burrow in first season games. That was also a mentioned strength of Fant. Just had a knack for getting that extra yard turning a 3rd and short to a First. I think they'll need that mentality because at home that front 7 is going to fly around. Of course the line can't get manhandled and that's happened enough as well.

My favorite Battle of Ohio was Johnny Football first start. The optimism was so high and they were thinking Superbowl then crash, thud, bang.

Number 1 - No one can disappoint on opening day like the Bengals. So yeah, I'd expect a win but we all know how that goes especially on the road up in Cleveland. Defensive depth chart is interesting. I'd expect to see Newton on the field as well Murphy, Jenkins and Stewart a lot. So it will be interesting how exactly they use Dax Hill and then get a D-line rotation going. Bengals need to put scoring pressure on the Browns. If they lose while scoring less than 23 points its on the offense, IMO. They return every piece on offense and up graded both guard spots. Get the ball out of your hand early and let your athletes put points on the board.

That Cowboys show on Netflix and this happening is funny. Jerry Jones and Jimmy still argue over who's idea it was to trade Herschel Walker. A trade they got soundly roasted just like Micah Parsons. One of those things you can't measure is once the player gets paid how do they perform afterward. There's a lot of pressure coming in a being the savior of a franchise. Of course I'm sure Green Bay is thinking Reggie White and what that move did for the franchise along with Favre. The contract itself is big money of course, BUT wait for the details. J'mar Chase could still be the highest paid in terms of real money. J'mar can reasonable expect $138m in 4 years. Micah's $136m doesn't beat that so it depends how much funny money is in the void years.

Foster is an interesting flyer. Obviously bad that Jags cut bait on such a high pick that early. According to Jaguar info he was a healthy scratch most of last year and really did not stand out at all. I remember him from the Senior Bowl which was a loaded tackle class. Bengals obviously scouted tackles and Tobin was noted watching the tackles intently at that particular senior bowl. Of course they took Mims (don't think he was at Senior bowl). He had plenty of reps against 1st round team mate Darius Robinson (Pick 27 Edge Cardinals). Was on a stand out list a couple times but also struggled at times too.