2025 Opponents Set/Offseason Notes

[Allentown21]

9 hours ago, HoosierCat said:

Seems like the "Bengal need to play starters more in preseason to avoid slow starts" theory is gaining traction with Zac and the players.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/how-can-bengals-avoid-slow-starts-jamarr-chase-agrees-more-preseason-action-could-make-a-difference/

We'll have to see to what extent, if any, they follow through.

 

This is possible, I just think it's just about not losing vs the bad teams early more than whatever extra reps are actually helping in the preseason. 

 

Starting 4-2 vs 2-4 is everything with only 17 games. 

 

I don't think the Bengals will be screwing around early tho. I think they're going to come out swinging 

[Allentown21]

Dec 7th vs Buffalo could be for the 1 seed. Similar situation to 2022 in December almost 

[AMPHAR]

21 hours ago, HoosierCat said:

Seems like the "Bengal need to play starters more in preseason to avoid slow starts" theory is gaining traction with Zac and the players.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/how-can-bengals-avoid-slow-starts-jamarr-chase-agrees-more-preseason-action-could-make-a-difference/

We'll have to see to what extent, if any, they follow through.

I don't know IF the Bengals need to play every starter in preseason.    IF you look at the slow starts.   Fans can find anything to justify why they start slow.   If they want to grind an axe about the front office well of course it was J'mar and so on and so on.

I think the 1 clear pattern is Joe Burrow and the line.   There is always a game or more that is a complete stat buster in the first 4 games.   The line (I would NOT call them great at any point during a season) but the amount of pressures and sacks given up early is amazingly multiplied in those 4 games vs. the remainder of the season.

Joe Burrow - He's had some Training Camp issues that were major.  They clearly have to be factored in.  However, I don't know what it is.  But early in the year Joe Burrow doesn't take check downs at all.  How many times has the local media gotten on Zac about Cover 2 beaters.   Well, those have been there all the time.  The QB has to be boring and check it down against coverages designed to slow him down.   He kinda wants to play hero ball early, IMO.  

So 1st you can play that starting OL with back up skill guys.  Get them a few more live reps.  Plus they are on the road in preseason so that's a perfect time. 

2nd, I think you could roll Burrow out with back up skill guys (starting O-line)  and have him check it down a bunch in the 3rd preseason game which would be against Colt back ups and right before the season. 

You go back and review these early season games.  Joe refuses to check it down and the amount of pressure he gets in multiplied over a normal poor rest of regular season.  

I don't think you necessarily have to expose Chase, Higgins etc.    Defense they are all young so its natural they should play more for reps.

 

[ArmyBengal]

Whatever the story or thought is, I can't say that I really give a shit.

Need to play in the preseason?  Need more time off?  Need more physicality during camp?
Need more meetings to install the offense?  Need more time in the weight room?
Need hotter water in the shower?  Need Nestle Quik mix instead of Kroger chocolate milk?

I don't care.  Do any, all, or none of that.  Just figure out a way to not look like shit week 1.

[HoosierCat]

I do agree with amphar’s point about Joe needing to be more patient and willing to take what the defense is giving him. 

[AMPHAR]

If I remember correctly early 2022 there was bunch of talk about Cover 2 issues.   Then about the Ravens game on the road he started tossing it underneath they had to punt a couple times but then Hurst, Perine and company started converting.   The offense started ramping up from there.

Last year aside from the fumbles.  Joe not taking easy dump offs for maybe conversions or more swung that game into a game flow situation the Pats needed to pull the upset. 

He could probably benefit from live reps not controlled by practice even if against Colt back ups and throwing to back ups. 

 

 

[ArmyBengal]

I agree with that thought process as well.

Will see what Zac decides to do this go round.

[glasgowbengal]

That’s me booked for Thursday night vs. Shitsburgh in October.

Will need to practice drinking between now and then

[ArmyBengal]

2 minutes ago, glasgowbengal said:

Will need to practice drinking between now and then

It's like riding a bike.  Something tells me you will slide right back into it !!
I'm getting older so now I have to stretch before drinking...

[glasgowbengal]

On 5/29/2025 at 8:51 PM, ArmyBengal said:

It's like riding a bike.  Something tells me you will slide right back into it !!
I'm getting older so now I have to stretch before drinking...

Likewise, my capacity for intoxicating liquor sure ain’t what it used to be. I feel i may have to attend some sort of training camp! 

[Allentown21]

Every team even great ones will have bad games for whatever reason. It happens. You just got to find a way to grind it out and win 75% of them. 

To me the Bengals having a bad game early in the year vs a terrible pats team isn't really the issue. The giants game is a perfect example. Yeah it was a bad day, but Cincinnati won and that's all that matters. Not every game is going to be 2007 patriots and total annihilation of your opponent lol

 

Just win the game. 

[ArmyBengal]

19 hours ago, Allentown21 said:

To me the Bengals having a bad game early in the year vs a terrible pats team isn't really the issue.

I would agree more except they do this every year since Zac has been here. Start slow, play like crap against teams they should beat and then spend the rest of the season playing catchup with the #1 seed beyond reach.

They have to find a way to fix that.

[Allentown21]

9 hours ago, ArmyBengal said:

I would agree more except they do this every year since Zac has been here. Start slow, play like crap against teams they should beat and then spend the rest of the season playing catchup with the #1 seed beyond reach.

They have to find a way to fix that.

 

I just have the feeling the Bengals are going to come out on fire. The guard play should be a little better with Lucas and Fairchild which can allow burrow to step up comfortably and hang in the pocket where he is most dangerous. 

 

 

[ArmyBengal]

3 hours ago, Allentown21 said:

I just have the feeling the Bengals are going to come out on fire.

I’m with that.

Hope springs eternal.

[ArmyBengal]

So if you are picking players that would impact the team the most if they took a good step forward in 2025, who would you be looking at?  Yeah, everyone. Duh, but get specific.  I think there are some players that, if they take the next step, can really push this team forward in 2025.

I mentioned these two many times, but Dax Hill and Myles Murphy have to top this list for me.
Murphy being a 1st round pick comes with an expectation that he beats out Ossai playing opposite Trey (hopefully).
Dax has an opportunity to come back from injury and take over the nickel back spot with Hilton leaving.
Much like Murphy, Hill comes with an expectation that he beats out Newton or pushes another starter for snap.

Outside of those two, seeing Battle really come on at SS would also be a great help in the secondary.
Both Jackson and Jenkins at DT should be fun to watch and see if they progressed in the off season.
Two more on the defensive side that are new and want to see step into those roles are Slaton at DT and Burks at LB.

Offensively, I don't think there is much more to add.  Seeing Mims come into camp strong and improve at RT?
The battle for the #4 WR spot between Burton and Jones should be one to watch.
There has been positive talk from both Burrow and Zac about Burton and Jones is healthy once again.
The WR corps could be the best in the league.  That's a really talented group of players.

I'm intrigued with the rookies however and seeing how they progress through camp practices and in preseason games.

 

[AMPHAR]

Offense -   Higgins.  Going back to the extension talk.  He hasn't played very much at all in recent seasons.   You get Higgins back up to 75% of offensive snaps or 90% (shock) that will be the biggest impact on yardage and points produced.    Hands down.  

Perine - if his skills are the same when he left.  I think he'll make an impact in short yardage and pass pro. 

Mims/Brown Jr.  -  Best chance the Bengals have had on paper to get back to Whit/Big tits tackle duo.  

I don't know if Myles Murphy is worth a crap.   Don't really see how he gets playing time either unless he jumps up significantly.   Hope he does.

Dax Hill on the other hand I think has real NFL talent his small window at safety saw him drop a ton of Ints.     Logan Wilson healthy is always around the ball.  Could easily see him having a 6 Int year with no problem.    CTB has ball hawk skills as well.   I'd say the potential of those 3 having big TO years could really flip things for a defense IF it all comes together for them. 

 

[ArmyBengal]

Already forgot about Perine.  Agree wholeheartedly.  His blocking skills are/were top notch and will be valued.

Agree that Murphy may just be a bust.  Hoping for the best since he dumped Fruity Pebbles this offseason.

Dax has skills, but between position moves and injuries it just hasn't worked out.  Get after it Dax !!

CTB could do one thing and really help himself and the team...  Shut the fuck up.
That dude must have been reading his own press from the previous season and got the big head.
He wasn't the same player last year that he was in 2023.  Get back to that and we are good there.

Nice adds.

[TJJackson]

CTB shutting the fuck up and just playing is probably worth a full additional W