Clinching Scenarios

[BengalszoneBilly]

20 minutes ago, HoosierCat said:

Well, Denver does have that other QB they could put in...name's Mabbing...Banning...Clayton...something like that...

You mean gramps?

[cincyhokie]

Although it's 3 weeks away, should the Bengals lose the next 2 games, all they have to do is beat the Ravens.  That will give them the division no matter what the Steelers do.

It's very likely the Ravens go all out the week before in a Sunday night game at home against the Steelers.  It'll be their Superbowl.  Which, by the way, I'd love to see them knock the Steelers out of the playoffs with a win. 

[BengalszoneBilly]

I cannot see the Bengals losing to San Francisco or Baltimore. Denver will of course be tough.

[HoosierCat]

Looking just at next week, as far as I can tell the Bengals clinch a playoff berth with either a win over SF, or a loss by the Steelers, Chiefs or Jets.

Steelers host Denver so Cincy wins whatever happens there. But I'm rooting for Denver. 

Chiefs are at the Ravens, who are a hot mess. Tough to see Baltimore doing us any favors there.

Jets are at Dallas Saturday night. NJ(b) ought to win.

A loss by New England would be great of course. Let's see they host Tenne...never mind.

[HoosierCat]

 

[kingwilly]

7 hours ago, HoosierCat said:

Looking just at next week, as far as I can tell the Bengals clinch a playoff berth with either a win over SF, or a loss by the Steelers, Chiefs or Jets.

Steelers host Denver so Cincy wins whatever happens there. But I'm rooting for Denver. 

Chiefs are at the Ravens, who are a hot mess. Tough to see Baltimore doing us any favors there.

Jets are at Dallas Saturday night. NJ(b) ought to win.

A loss by New England would be great of course. Let's see they host Tenne...never mind.

Tennessee could prove a tough out for NE. Mariotta has played better and NE always seem to struggle v mobile QBs.

I think that Denver knocks Pitt back to earth. I see Von Miller getting his mitts on Benji a few times. Steelers will then mow down Ravens and Browns. I don't see Bengals getting the 1 but they could en up the 2, if they handle business, properly.

[HoosierCat]

Speaking of NE...

 

[HoosierCat]

Pitt gots Osweiler, Bengals may get Manning.

 

[ArmyBengal]

I would love to see Manning in that Monday Night game. LOVE IT !!!

[HoosierCat]

Just for the record, here is the anti-clinching scenario. In order for the Bengals to miss the playoffs, all the following have to happen:

1. Bengals lose out. Sadly, I think this is a very real possibility. They've done it before with the playoffs on the line (see 2006).

2. Steelers win out. Broncos, Ravens, Browns. Totally doable (though you know how it goes with division games...)

3. Chiefs win out. Ravens, Browns, Raiders. Also totally doable.

4. Jets win out. They'd have to beat the Pats. Doubtful but the way the Bengals' luck has been lately...

[ArmyBengal]

What's with all the Debbie Downer talk here Hoosier ??

I really can't see the Bengals (AJ or not) losing to both the 49er's and the Ravens.  Broncos ??  Good chance on the road, but not the other two.

Talk about clinching, I had one too many Taco Bell chili cheese burritos for lunch.

[HoosierCat]

30 minutes ago, ArmyBengal said:

What's with all the Debbie Downer talk here Hoosier ??

I really can't see the Bengals (AJ or not) losing to both the 49er's and the Ravens.  Broncos ??  Good chance on the road, but not the other two.

Talk about clinching, I had one too many Taco Bell chili cheese burritos for lunch.

Oh yeah, the Bell packs a punch. 

As for the gloom, I guess it's just that stories that start with having to go to your untested, inexperienced backup at the most important position generally don't turn out well. We will see.

[ArmyBengal]

Oh I get it.  There's certainly an amount of stress heading into these games with AJ under center, but I'm more intrigued than worried.

I expect bumps to continue, but think he's in a good position considering the rest of our team.

As you said, we will see.  I'm hoping for the best and a quick healing Andy.

[gregcook68]

What if he does well?  He still has 2 years on his contract. With Dalton's contract, he's not taking over for him, and he won't remain as a backup with all the QBs needed in the league.

Do the Bengals use him as trade bait in the next 2 years??

[duus]

I realize the danger with comparisons, and the fact that McCarron is as unproven as they come.  But I am reminded of a situation in 2005 in Pittsburgh when starting quarterback Tommy Maddox was hurt and a very good Steeler team was forced to bring in a quarterback that had yet to throw a pass in the NFL.  Veteran offensive lineman Alan Faneca was quoted as saying something like:  "Exciting? No, it's not exciting. Do you want to go work with some little young kid who's just out of college?"  OK, I'm not suggesting McCarron is the next Roethlisberger who led his team through the season, playoffs and a Super Bowl victory.

 

We all know what happened in the playoffs that season as well.  Pittsburgh lost the division to Cincinnati via a tie-breaker (both teams were 11-5).  Pittsburgh then came to Cincinnati and Palmer was quickly injured.  Other interesting parallels to that season are that the Patriots won the East, the Colts won the South and the Broncos won the West.  The wildcards were the Steelers and Jaguars.  All teams that could easily be in the playoffs 10 years later.  Here's hoping this time around it's the Bengals with "some little young kid who's just out of college" that jumps behind center on a very solid team and leads them through the playoffs and into the Super Bowl.  Just saying it's happened before and was largely aided by the supporting cast around him.  Color me optimistic and one who is very interested to see what he looks like Sunday in San Francisco.  BTW, in his first game he threw only 11 passes and then 21 in his second (both victories).  A solid running attack will be critical for McCarron of course.

[ArmyBengal]

Players may not find it very exciting to have to deal with the newbie, but for fans (especially those critical of Dalton) it can be very exciting.

In regards to "what if he does well" and then what happens, I'll echo Hoosier's wait and see approach.

If he does well, he's certainly the kind of guy you want around backing up your starter and his contract is VERY manageable.

If an extended situation for him to play comes about and he proves himself further, than I suppose everything is on the table.

Everything from trading him to the improbable replacement of Dalton, but that's getting VERY far ahead of things at this point.

Lets start by kicking the crap out of the 49er's Sunday.

[cincyhokie]

Take time to dream about this fascinating scenario.

AJ McCaron leads the Bengals to a Superbowl victory.

What does the team do in the QB spot moving forward?

[ArmyBengal]

I wouldn't give a rats fat f*cking ass who our QB was going forward.

We will have just won the Super Bowl.

That would be enough for me to bask in for the next year to not really care.

I've been waiting a long d*mn time for that scenario to play out.

[cincyhokie]

4 minutes ago, ArmyBengal said:

I wouldn't give a rats fat f*cking ass who our QB was going forward.

We will have just won the Super Bowl.

That would be enough for me to bask in for the next year to not really care.

I've been waiting a long d*mn time for that scenario to play out.

Right on.  

What about a SB trip but a loss?

Win or loss, it would be a dream conundrum.   

[cincyhokie]

52 minutes ago, duus said:

I realize the danger with comparisons, and the fact that McCarron is as unproven as they come.  But I am reminded of a situation in 2005 in Pittsburgh when starting quarterback Tommy Maddox was hurt and a very good Steeler team was forced to bring in a quarterback that had yet to throw a pass in the NFL.  Veteran offensive lineman Alan Faneca was quoted as saying something like:  "Exciting? No, it's not exciting. Do you want to go work with some little young kid who's just out of college?"  OK, I'm not suggesting McCarron is the next Roethlisberger who led his team through the season, playoffs and a Super Bowl victory.

 

We all know what happened in the playoffs that season as well.  Pittsburgh lost the division to Cincinnati via a tie-breaker (both teams were 11-5).  Pittsburgh then came to Cincinnati and Palmer was quickly injured.  Other interesting parallels to that season are that the Patriots won the East, the Colts won the South and the Broncos won the West.  The wildcards were the Steelers and Jaguars.  All teams that could easily be in the playoffs 10 years later.  Here's hoping this time around it's the Bengals with "some little young kid who's just out of college" that jumps behind center on a very solid team and leads them through the playoffs and into the Super Bowl.  Just saying it's happened before and was largely aided by the supporting cast around him.  Color me optimistic and one who is very interested to see what he looks like Sunday in San Francisco.  BTW, in his first game he threw only 11 passes and then 21 in his second (both victories).  A solid running attack will be critical for McCarron of course.

I love it.

Except that Roethelisburger came in for Maddox in 2004.  Promptly led the team to a 14-2 record and an AFC Championship Game loss to NE at Heinz Field. 

The next season in 2005, Ben started the season and finished in with a SB win against Seattle.  

[duus]

3 minutes ago, cincyhokie said:

I love it.

Except that Roethelisburger came in for Maddox in 2004.  Promptly led the team to a 14-2 record and an AFC Championship Game loss to NE at Heinz Field. 

The next season in 2005, Ben started the season and finished in with a SB win against Seattle.  

Apparently my aging memory fails me!  Oh well.  I will still take the AFC Championship Game and deal with the details from there.

[cincyhokie]

1 minute ago, duus said:

Apparently my aging memory fails me!  Oh well.  I will still take the AFC Championship Game and deal with the details from there.

I will too!  

There is definitely something about McCaron that intrigues me.  

[duus]

6 minutes ago, cincyhokie said:

I will too!  

There is definitely something about McCaron that intrigues me.  

So my memory combined the '04 and '05 seasons.  Now I see.  Roethlisberger came in early in '04 and led a very good team to one game shy of Super Bowl.  I do sense McCarron finds himself in a similar situation, albeit with far few games to learn from before playoffs.  It's a monumental challenge for sure, yet I am also very intrigued to see what this young man is made of.  Right now he is saying all the right things ... and doing all the right things (read he has requested extra film time with receivers, etc.).  In some odd way, I may be more excited to see what this Sunday holds than any previous game this season.  Bring it.

[COB]

1 hour ago, duus said:

So my memory combined the '04 and '05 seasons.  Now I see.  Roethlisberger came in early in '04 and led a very good team to one game shy of Super Bowl.  I do sense McCarron finds himself in a similar situation, albeit with far few games to learn from before playoffs.  It's a monumental challenge for sure, yet I am also very intrigued to see what this young man is made of.  Right now he is saying all the right things ... and doing all the right things (read he has requested extra film time with receivers, etc.).  In some odd way, I may be more excited to see what this Sunday holds than any previous game this season.  Bring it.

I'm happy for the guy.  The league is so Darwinian, I think we all knew he was going to get his chance this way.  

At least he's got a chance to have some success in his first start.  Not like we're taking on the 2000 Ravens defense.  As I've blathered on about previously, its also not like they'll have to dumb the whole offense down for him.  It was already dumbed down.  Presumably he won't be quite as adept as Andy at splitting 3 offensive linemen out wide, but who really gives a damn about that anyway.  

It would be great for him, and the team to get on a roll.  Is that going to happen?  

Well, they're 2-3 in their last five games.  They've only managed to beat the Browns and the Rams, both teams suck.  

And this swoon wasn't Dalton's fault, injuries and just generally coming up against a better team are the culprits, in my opinion.  Though I hate to say it, the Steelers looked better.  More focused, obviously their quarterback played well, and they took advantage of the bad breaks that came our way.  

Now, would incredible quarterback play lift this team to a new level?  Yes it would.  Put Ben, Current Version Palmer, Brady, Newton, one of those guys back there, I think we make the Super Bowl.  Clipboard Jesus has no chance to just come out of the gate playing like that.  

He needs to avoid the stupid plays.  If he goes out and throws that bizarre pick Dalton got hurt on, you can expect to hear announcers, commentators, and fans saying, "What a newbie mistake!  Welcome to the NFL, I guess he'll learn NFL linemen are as quick as the linebackers he faced in college!  The game hasn't slowed down for him yet!  Blah, blah, blah."  Hopefully we won't hear any of that, and hopefully he doesn't make any plays like that.

We can make the playoffs.  If we get healthy, hopefully we can win a game.  But the way the Bengals have played recently, they don't look like a team that's going to the AFC Championship game, no matter who was quarterbacking.  In that sense, something had to change.  Maybe this change can be the rallying point the team needs to step it up.  

[cincyhokie]

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-videos/0ap3000000601306/Who-will-win-the-AFC-North-Bengals-or-Steelers

Apparently the heads at NFL Network think the Bengals will hand over the division to the Steelers.

I guess the Bengals are just a QB propped up team led by the elite caliber Dalton at QB.  Now that he is gone, this team won't win another game the rest of the year.