Jump to content

Week 16: Browns @ Bengals

HoosierCat

By HoosierCat
in Cincinnati Bengals

 Share

Recommended Posts

ArmyBengal Grand Master

ArmyBengal

Posted
Posted

Then for insurance against the Chiefs resting starters, should it actually come down to the last week, we need to root for a KC loss within the next two weeks and Buffalo to keep winning.

The Chiefs have the Texans at home and then on the road against the Steelers. Should they drop one of those two with Buffalo winning, the #1 seed would be something to play for. Maybe… haven’t looked at tie breakers close enough.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Footballer Rookie

Footballer

Posted
Posted
On 12/16/2024 at 9:48 AM, ArmyBengal said:

I'm torn either way I look at the Bengals season at this point.

On one hand, I don't want to see them further screwing up a potential top 10 draft slot.
On the other hand, I don't know that I have faith in how they would use that selection anyway.

If there are no changes coming to the coaching staff (See both Lou and Frank getting shit canned) I don't think the draft pick matters all that much.

While I'm not all geeked up in thinking they can make the playoffs, there is still a shot.
I think the first step comes this Thursday.  If the Chargers beat the Broncos, I'm still holding out slim hope.
If the Broncos win, I have next to no faith in the path to the offseason being reasonable.
There will still be a path, but there would be at least 2-3 more miracles needed with that being the case.

What if it does come down to the last week of the season?
The Bengals will need to beat the Steelers and the Broncos would need to lose to the Chiefs if all planets align.
If I'm the Chiefs, I'm resting all of my starters and happily take the loss, as the Bengals offense is more scary than most in the AFC.
They already have a two game lead for the #1 seed.  Which offense would you rather face?

But would KC want to lose that game if it meant losing the top seed?  Assuming they don't beat both the Texans and Steelers. Do they want to have to face Pittsburgh or Baltimore  in divisional?

 

If Pittsburgh wins the division, they're likely going 12-5 or 11-6. If 11-6, they need Baltimore to lose to Houston unless they sweep them. Houston has tie breaker against Pittsburgh but they're not going 2-0 in five days. Pittsburgh as a 3 seed hosts the Chargers likely. Steelers should win that. If Pittsburgh is the 4 seed that means Houston beat Baltimore and Pittsburgh lost two more games, which couldn't both be to division rivals as that gives Baltimore the division tie breaker. Pittsburgh still could host the Chargers if they win out or the 11-6 Ravens because the Ravens split and Steelers swept the Bengals. If Baltimore and Pittsburgh rematch in the playoffs after the Steelers sweep them, Ravens probably get them the third time. Houston as a 4 seed is not beating Baltimore twice in three weeks. But as a 4, they probably lost to the Ravens, so they have a huge home rematch advantage after two and a half weeks. Also, I don't think Houston beats LA if they play. So KC would get Pittsburgh or Baltimore in divisional while Buffalo gets Houston, Baltimore, or LA.

If Baltimore wins the division, I have to say I can't see Baltimore winning a hard fought contest and turning around and winning in Houston. Baltimore can't get the 3 seed. If Baltimore hosts Pittsburgh three weeks later again, they could still win. However, Houston has LA. So KC is again getting Pitt/Bal while Buffalo gets LA. 

A Mahomes-Allen AFCCG in Buffalo has all the makings of  2006 AFCCG vibes where Manning AT HOME finally got to a SB by beating Brady. And KC doesn't want to face a battle-tested Ravens anyway. Even if KC wins, they're going to get worn down before the Bills. If KC had went to Baltimore before Buffalo last year, it's the Bills going to the SB.

 

So I'm not so sure KC wants to avoid Cincy moreso than having to go to Buffalo for the AFC title. If KC lost to Cincy in divisional, they have real problems. But are you guys really going to go to Buffalo and KC back to back and win there? Then have to go to Pittsburgh or Baltimore? I'd love to see it but it's a tall order.

I do want you guys in because missing the playoffs two years in a row strengthens KC and Buffalo's standing. And Wilson has brought that Big Ben aura back to Pittsburgh. He's a dark horse for the SB. You do not want Pittsburgh to get back to being that third wheel team behind the Brady-Manning redux. Let alone Lamar until he falls off.

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites
ArmyBengal Grand Master

ArmyBengal

Posted
Posted

Speaking specifically to KC's situation the question is, if everything comes down to the last week, would KC rest their starters and not worry about losing to the Broncos?

My point is with KC having a two game lead over the Bills for #1, we need the Bills to keep winning and KC to drop a game over the next two weeks for the last game of the season to provide them something to play for and in turn hope they knock off the Broncos, completing our way to the playoffs.  Assuming we can win out, which is no small task when considering how abysmal our defense is.

I think the Colts or Dolphins, should they make the playoffs, wouldn't do anything with that opportunity.
However, if the Bengals defense can find a way to play even average ball, the Bengals can hang with any team.
I don't think they care about going on the road either.  They've done it before and won.

Honestly, those teams at the top should want no part of the Bengals in the playoffs simply because the offense can be scary good.
Miami and/or the Colts?  Not so much.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites
COB Veteran

COB

Posted
Posted
2 hours ago, HoosierCat said:

And they’re blowing it now…

EDIT: won by god, by the skin of their teeth! Congrats Bobcats!

 

OU had a great year.  Gambling note: OU allowed a cheap touchdown at the end of the game, won only by 3, failed to cover, college kids in central ohio home for the holidays who gamble on their phones were super angry.  At least one was.

  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

×
 Share
Go to topic listing
×
×
  • Create New...