Expectations for the Packers Game

[jonahdsage]

I am expecting a win. Chicago has a poor offense and an overrated defense and was in the game right to the end.

GB is very beatable.

I get pretty excited knowing that a banged up bears D held rodgers to 147 passing or something like that and their o-line was playing like a strainer. Thinking about a speedy Geathers matched up against their pathetic looking right tackle has me licking my lips and dreaming of a 3-5 sack day. I'm expecting the defense to score points, ocho and henry to get in the end zone.

21-13 bengals.

Unfortunately the Packers fans are saying the same thing about our O-line.

Packers 21

Bengals 16

Yeah except carson threw for 250 yards and the denver o-line was the best in the league last year. I'd be nervous about our pass rush (did i say that?) if I were a packers fan.

[HairOnFire]

I'm not afraid to admit I have no idea what to expect from this team. All I know for certain is any margin for error evaporated in an instant last Sunday.

Sadly, I fear those of you who are hoping for a quick offensive turn around are doomed to disappointment, and I think the ongoing struggles are going to continue costing the Bengals wins. Happily, I remain convinced that a real defense has finally emerged in River City, and I plan to busy myself fawning over that side of the ball all season long.

[ArmyBengal]

I'm LOVING the defense and there's a spot in my heart that just absolutely LOVES the fact that I can say that.

It probably has to do with the fact a strong defense can go a long way to help get a win and remove the "soft" label currently affixed to this team.

Here's to hoping we get to have a few more of those "OHHHHHHHH" moments after seeing Rey or someone else deliver a big hit.

Here's to further hoping some of those same moments can create some turnovers for this team !!!

[cincyhokie]

Yeah except carson threw for 250 yards and the denver o-line was the best in the league last year. I'd be nervous about our pass rush (did i say that?) if I were a packers fan.

I hear you. It should be a close game and I hope that the offense shows major signs of improvement.

Check out some of the Packers fans thoughts on the final score for the game Sunday. They don't share your thoughts.

/>http://www.packerchatters.com/4ums/index.php?showtopic=15459

[HoosierCat]

Sadly, I fear those of you who are hoping for a quick offensive turn around are doomed to disappointment, and I think the ongoing struggles are going to continue costing the Bengals wins. Happily, I remain convinced that a real defense has finally emerged in River City, and I plan to busy myself fawning over that side of the ball all season long.

On the offense, probably true, but it all depends on what you mean by "quick." Going from poor to something approaching average is relatively easy; getting from there to good, and from good to elite, are increasingly more difficult.

I think we will see a fairly significant improvement on the offense's part over the next few weeks, but it will level off at average, at best. Toward the end of the season it might be something approaching good, assuming the injury bug doesn't kill us again and everyone can get a year or most of it in working together.

The $64,000 question is, is the D for real? If you're right, and it is, even a fair-to-average offense should be able to score enough to steal a few wins. Almost certainly not enough to make the postseason, but enough so that .500, and maybe even 9 wins with a strong dead cat bounce, could happen.

[volcom69]

The defense was good sunday, not great, but they seem to be improving. The real test will be when they play better offense teams like the packers. I would like to see some turnovers this week, and i would love to see a team come out pissed off about what happened last sunday that they come out hitting and fired up. I just hope there heads are not hanging because of that play that broke our hearts. To me the defense still has to prove themselves if they come out this sunday and dominate again they i will say they are for real. I would love a defense like Pitt or Baltimore, and i hope by the end of the year thats how they will be.

Not sure yet on the offense, and its a real shame because this team has some great talent, but they cant seem to find a way to use the talent. Mathis scares me on the o-line, i would rather have Roland in there, because the Packers D-line might dominate, and the run game wont have a chance to get going again. I guess time will tell.

[HairOnFire]

The $64,000 question is, is the D for real? If you're right, and it is, even a fair-to-average offense should be able to score enough to steal a few wins. Almost certainly not enough to make the postseason, but enough so that .500, and maybe even 9 wins with a strong dead cat bounce, could happen.

I predicted 8 wins and no playoff berth prior to the season starting, and that was before they dropped a game to Denver I thought they could win in their sleep. So whatever the final tally in victories turns out to be it's probably not going to matter very much in the long run. Because after all, the payoff for 8 or 9 wins isn't likely to be much better than that given to 5 and 6 win teams.

That said, for several years now I have openly longed for a fundamental change from a flaky offensive based team identity to that of a far more physical defensive core capable of keeping the Bengals in most games regardless of how the clockwork offense is performing at any given moment.

In short, I wasn't expecting much this season, but if this teams defense really can step up and become a Top 10 group this team will be well served for years and years. And damnit, it feels like it's coming.

[Thurmanation]

What? Over? Did you say "over"? Nothing is over until we decide it is! Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor? Hell no! And it ain't over now. 'Cause when the going gets tough . . . the tough get going. Who's with me? Let's Go! Come on!

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Bengals 24 Pack 20

i literally laughed so f**kin hard thinking of walzav screaming AHHHHHH!!!!!!! after that speech lmfao ahahha

[jonahdsage]

Yeah except carson threw for 250 yards and the denver o-line was the best in the league last year. I'd be nervous about our pass rush (did i say that?) if I were a packers fan.

I hear you. It should be a close game and I hope that the offense shows major signs of improvement.

Check out some of the Packers fans thoughts on the final score for the game Sunday. They don't share your thoughts.

/>http://www.packerchatters.com/4ums/index.php?showtopic=15459

Those posts remind me of Chris Farley in those old bears skits. Here's how a typical post goes: "Palmer and Ocho/Henry are a real passing threat. For whatever reason it doesn't look like their offense has clicked, but they have real potential to be explosive. Their defense is really weak with lots of holes but has nothing to lose, so they could be force. We can't over look this game and it could be close. I predict our O struggles but pulls through. Pack 31-10."

It's hilarious to me. If anything I would be saying that our offense looks tepid and our defense is something to be nervous about. is winning by 21 points really EVER a close game? Homerism looks the same everywhere!

[HoosierCat]

I predicted 8 wins and no playoff berth prior to the season starting, and that was before they dropped a game to Denver I thought they could win in their sleep.

Yeah, me too.

So whatever the final tally in victories turns out to be it's probably not going to matter very much in the long run. Because after all, the payoff for 8 or 9 wins isn't likely to be much better than that given to 5 and 6 win teams.

Eh...maybe. 5-6 wins and it's "same ol' Bungles." 8-9 wins earns them some respect (and self-respect) I think. But yeah, either way they are doing the same thing in January, which is watching the games from their couches.

That said, for several years now I have openly longed for a fundamental change from a flaky offensive based team identity to that of a far more physical defensive core capable of keeping the Bengals in most games regardless of how the clockwork offense is performing at any given moment.

In short, I wasn't expecting much this season, but if this teams defense really can step up and become a Top 10 group this team will be well served for years and years. And damnit, it feels like it's coming.

We can always hope. Of course, we've been fooled before.

[ArmyBengal]

The thoughts of how good this defense is expected to be must be at an all time when they hold a team to two FG's and people aren't happy.

Yeah, I get the last play irritating people, but get real.

[HoosierCat]

The thoughts of how good this defense is expected to be must be at an all time when they hold a team to two FG's and people aren't happy.

Yeah, I get the last play irritating people, but get real.

I suspect everyone is leery of it being a good performance against an O widely expected to be bad. I'm doing my best myself not to read too much into it. What I will say impressed me is this: whatever else can be said about Denver, they have a top-notch o-line. And the Bengals -- who are hardly known for their pass rush -- had pressure all day and sacked Orton three times. Again, granted: it's Orton. But it's still notable, and encouraging.

[BengalszoneBilly]

I'm not afraid to admit I have no idea what to expect from this team.

I'm not afraid to join you in this.

No. Idea. Whatsoever.

[cincyhokie]

Those posts remind me of Chris Farley in those old bears skits. Here's how a typical post goes: "Palmer and Ocho/Henry are a real passing threat. For whatever reason it doesn't look like their offense has clicked, but they have real potential to be explosive. Their defense is really weak with lots of holes but has nothing to lose, so they could be force. We can't over look this game and it could be close. I predict our O struggles but pulls through. Pack 31-10."

It's hilarious to me. If anything I would be saying that our offense looks tepid and our defense is something to be nervous about. is winning by 21 points really EVER a close game? Homerism looks the same everywhere!

Haha...nice. Yeah, ironically I was in and around Green Bay all last week so I have the annoying local accent in my head (not to offend any Wisconsiners).

"Ah well, ya know, the Bengals are loooking okay....they might be uh keepin it close. Buuut I predict our Packers squeak out a close one. 38-10 Pack."

I thought these were supposed to be the most knowledgable fans in football. The Packers aren't going blow out the Bengals. They might might not cover the spread and they might actually lose. If we do win, it's going to be a well deserved and sweet one. The beer flow will not stop at 430 if that is the case.

[walzav29]

Does anyone have that gut feeling that they'll win this game? Like they just know it? If so, how? My optimism/confidence is shot.

[BengalszoneBilly]

Does anyone have that gut feeling that they'll win this game? Like they just know it?

Not really. Especially because it's a road game.

[cincyhokie]

Does anyone have that gut feeling that they'll win this game? Like they just know it? If so, how? My optimism/confidence is shot.

No I don't. I seem to have this built in self-defense mechanism that can't see the Bengals winning games they shouldn't. It saves me from disappointment and it makes a win (if it does happen) very very enjoyable. It's a win-win.

Last week was tough because that's a game the Bengals should have won, needed to win, and didn't. Very disappointing.

[kingwilly]

The thoughts of how good this defense is expected to be must be at an all time when they hold a team to two FG's and people aren't happy.

Yeah, I get the last play irritating people, but get real.

I suspect everyone is leery of it being a good performance against an O widely expected to be bad. I'm doing my best myself not to read too much into it. What I will say impressed me is this: whatever else can be said about Denver, they have a top-notch o-line. And the Bengals -- who are hardly known for their pass rush -- had pressure all day and sacked Orton three times. Again, granted: it's Orton. But it's still notable, and encouraging.

add to this they whacked Knowshon right out of the game.

add to this they held Stoke-of-luck-ly to zero cathces for 59:42

add to this they kept Marshall in check all day.

The D is quietly amazing in the loss.

The O land-mined themselves rigt into the L column. but you can't put land mines everywhere.

Bengals win 21-17.

[COB]

If the D gets off their collective ass and holds the Pack to 6 points or less, we win.

I was up in northern New York state last weekend. Got back to a house with cable around the end of the game. They were showing some game, I can't remember which one. It finished, and they go, "now we'll show you the remainder of the Bengals - Broncos game."

So the game comes on, and I see we're up, and I see the Broncos have the ball. I watch them throw one pass, I'm thinking, we could hold them here. Second play of my viewing season, they score on the tip play and we lose. Then they cut back to the studio and Sharpe, Boomer, and the Chin are all howling with laughter. WTF?

[Kazkal]

Bengals win 16-10

Chad or Coles will burn Al Harris for Long Touchdown at some point in this game.

[Pidge]

The $64,000 question is, is the D for real? If you're right, and it is, even a fair-to-average offense should be able to score enough to steal a few wins. Almost certainly not enough to make the postseason, but enough so that .500, and maybe even 9 wins with a strong dead cat bounce, could happen.

In short, I wasn't expecting much this season, but if this teams defense really can step up and become a Top 10 group this team will be well served for years and years. And damnit, it feels like it's coming.

This just about sums it up.

[HoosierCat]

Does anyone have that gut feeling that they'll win this game? Like they just know it?

Not really. Especially because it's a road game.

Let me put it this way: what I don't have is a gut feeling that they'll lose.

If the D we saw last weekend wasn't a mirage, and the offense can tighten up some loose bolts, I honestly think this is anyone's game.

I will put the final score at 24-20. But I have no feeling about which team has the 24, and which has the 20.

[jonahdsage]

Does anyone have that gut feeling that they'll win this game? Like they just know it?

Not really. Especially because it's a road game.

Let me put it this way: what I don't have is a gut feeling that they'll lose.

If the D we saw last weekend wasn't a mirage, and the offense can tighten up some loose bolts, I honestly think this is anyone's game.

I will put the final score at 24-20. But I have no feeling about which team has the 24, and which has the 20.

The reading on the dot com was real encouraging to me about the matchup for this game. Come Monday morning I think our corners and D-line will be getting some serious respect. I see geathers beating up Barbe (or whatever their RT's name is) for a sack or two and another solid outing by JJoe and Leon forcing them to run more than they'd like. I'm a little nervous about their 3-4 confusing some of our young linemen, but I think a heavy dose of cedric will settle things down if we start it early. I would love a boring game where Cedric rushes for 125 at 4.2ypc. This should be a good indication, too, of how Williams will do against the play action. I'm reading some people saying that rodgers has the best play action in the league and I don't want to see a max protect, two wide receiver set that finds a receiver catching the deep ball because williams ran up to play the run.

All in all, feeling strong coming into this weekend.

24-17 bengals.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Typical Marvin/Brown .500 type team, they'll win some unexpected ones, lose others they shouldn't (like last week).

So who knows. I don't see the o-line improving until Smith is ready and in the football shape he was in college. That's the only possible difference I can imagine that might improve things some.

[CJBestInAFC]

Does anyone have that gut feeling that they'll win this game? Like they just know it? If so, how? My optimism/confidence is shot.

I do. I think we roll in this game. Bengal 93 Packers -12, coach Ditka shows up in the second half to replace Coats.