Week 1: Patriots @ Bengals

[HoosierCat]

Just now, Stripes said:

Haha suck it Baltimore 

Great minds think alike!

[ArmyBengal]

Eat a dick Ravens 

[COB]

Probably better to have the chiefs win, takes our division opponent down, also I don’t think going into arrowhead with the chiefs coming off a loss and staring at 0-2 is the preferred configuration.  

[Stripes]

Yeah it'll do. Whichever team won this game was going to be a #1 seed threat (probably either way for the Chiefs), but the Ravens are obviously a division threat. I don't want the Bengals winning 12-13 games and still sitting at the 5-seed.

Handle business against the god-awful Patriots and set things up for the Chiefs game in week 2.

[ArmyBengal]

Couldn't agree more.  Best outcome.

Two more days !!

[AMPHAR]

Its week 1 so can't bank on anything.   Both teams didn't look at their best.   I love how Collinsworth is scared to call out Lamar and insist on calling him a pocket passer.    IMO, Lamar is an elite play maker on the ground.   He is very inconsistent throwing and I think struggles to read defenses.   Both KC and Baltimore have tackle issues, both QBs took a number of hits.

The addition of Henry was just depth for Lamar Jackson.  Again week 1 so hard to conclude anything concrete but based on week 1 that addition was way overblown because the Ravens could already run the ball at an elite level prior to Henry.  Now they are stuck trying to design an offense for Lamar's running or Henry's running but it doesn't really produce more points.  Ravens have always been a top offense when Lamar was healthy. 

On to New England!

[ArmyBengal]

The only thing better is hearing them complain like babies. Staley with the penalties “they were making an example of me” or Lamar with the “I still think it was a TD” when it clearly wasn’t.

 

[AMPHAR]

The refs could have called more penalties on both team's tackles.   Jawaan Taylor and Staley are constantly moving early and lining up in the backfield.  Its pretty obvious neither tackle is confident blocking in pass pro vs. whatever rusher they were going against.  Hopefully nothing gets better for either team.   If one of the edges struggles that badly it makes it very hard to slide protect to an elite rusher.

 

[HoosierCat]

1 hour ago, ArmyBengal said:

The only thing better is hearing them complain like babies. Staley with the penalties “they were making an example of me” or Lamar with the “I still think it was a TD” when it clearly wasn’t.

 

Oh god yes, they are whinging and I am here for it.

https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/41144433/ravens-odds-officials-overturned-td-vs-chiefs

Cry more, ratbirds.

[ArmyBengal]

Yeah, this is pretty fun for me today working with a Ravens fan.

Roquan Smith chiming in with, "I didn't think it was enough evidence to overturn it" is great as well.

Maybe if Likely had not been wearing black cleats it might not have been enough, but the top of his black cleat touching the bright white line doesn't allow for much doubt to enter the thought process.

Who knew the Chiefs winning could bring me such joy ?!?!

[AMPHAR]

Just beat the Patriots.   Then I'll worry about the Chefs.

[volcom69]

Now Higgins after yesterday said it’s the best he’s felt is not practicing, Chase and his agent pretty much said contract talks hit a snag. Sounds like this season is starting off great, sounds more like these contract issues will be hurting them maybe for awhile. 

[volcom69]

So I guess now both WR are a we will see for Sunday, funny how that just happens now lol. Chase does say contract is close, but who knows anymore. What a mess to start the season 

[Stripes]

Can't wait to hear Eagle and Davis talk about this damned contract 7,000 times on Sunday.

[volcom69]

Yup I have feeling it’s going to be very annoying, only way is if the Bengals are beating them up pretty good then maybe it won’t be as bad.

[HoosierCat]

2 hours ago, volcom69 said:

Now Higgins after yesterday said it’s the best he’s felt is not practicing, Chase and his agent pretty much said contract talks hit a snag. Sounds like this season is starting off great, sounds more like these contract issues will be hurting them maybe for awhile. 

Higgins tweaked a hammy yesterday but it sounds like he’ll be ok. Zac being cagey about it tho. As for Chase, I continue to not give a shit. Play, don’t play, whatever. 

[HoosierCat]

18 minutes ago, Stripes said:

Can't wait to hear Eagle and Davis talk about this damned contract 7,000 times on Sunday.

Yeah I can already feel the aggravation growing now.

[AMPHAR]

Its coming from gambling and fantasy reports.   Those articles are notorious click bait as people are setting their line up.

Both Chase and Higgins have no leverage at this point.  Its play, produce, or don't get all of what you demand.  Simple.

Higgins can't be in and out of the line up coming off a sub-700 yard season and expect his top offer.   

If Chase goes nuclear and starts effing around, then the Bengals sit on him for 3 seasons and only consider trading when they can fleece somebody.    It beyond obvious there's a significant offer he could sign today.  Going nuclear just puts that enormous pay day at risk.

 

[volcom69]

Looks like Higgins is now doubtful, after saying this is the best he felt yesterday. How stupid, with Chase now Questionable. Boy looks like young guys will have to step up.

[AMPHAR]

Chase already confirmed he's playing.  

[HoosierCat]

Mims (pec) and Jenkins (thumb) both ruled out. Great, just great. 

[glasgowbengal]

I’m starting to get a bad feeling about Sunday already. Potentially without WR1 and WR2 and a NE team who’ll be determined to run the ball straight at our threadbare front. 

[Stripes]

I'm fairly sure Chase will be playing in the game, even if he said he's a "gametime decision" according to himself. He's keeping the contractual pressure on.

The IDL is a problem, but so is the Patriots IOL. No excuses. Kick their ass in your home opener.

[volcom69]

This team is just a bunch of drama 

Max Murphy tweeting about they better pay Chase and about Higgins not playing. Crazy first game I guess 

[COB]

All noise, it’ll come down to can the bengals come of the gate good, for once.  Everyone could be healthy, but if we start like we have the last few years just forget it, we’re 0-2.  Burrow having a full camp, starters played more than usual - could be the difference!