Week 1: Bengals @ Browns

[HoosierCat]

They’ve used void years several times in recent years. Reiff was the first one, I think. There are void years in burrow’s deal too.

[HoosierCat]

Welp, it's week 1. Let the disappointment begin!

Some stuff from Hobs.

Dax Hill is a go for Sunday.

Coaches "continue to monitor the status of" DJ Turner and BJ Hill.

Taylor wasn't ready yesterday to name a starting RG, though Patrick appears to have the inside track.

 

[HoosierCat]

Meanwhile in Cleveland.

Quote

C Ethan Pocic, who sustained a knee injury in the final preseason game against the Rams, was back at practice during the open portion of practice.

"He looks good," Stefanski said of Pocic. "He's rehabbed very hard, so he looks good."

LB Mohamoud Diabate was also back out at practice, and Stefanski said Diabate was able to get some work in.

DT Mike Hall Jr., who continues to rehab from a knee injury he sustained in Week 18 of the 2024 season, was not out at practice.

 

[ArmyBengal]

I literally have no idea what is going to happen Sunday.

I "think" they should win, but that really hasn't paid dividends at the start of the season over the Zac years.

I just know I'm excited for another season to get on the way and watch them get after it.
WHODEY !!!

[HoosierCat]

I feel pretty good about the offense. I think the changes they made to camp and preseason this year, especially forgoing joint practices with other teams in favor of focusing on what they needed to do in practice and giving the starters more reps in preseason, are going to pay off this Sunday.

I feel good about teams as well.

The defense? That's the big question. We've heard the "oh, we weren't really trying, don't worry, it'll all be different when we hit the magic button ahead of week one" talk before, and pretty much every time it's not any different. So I expect that they will look awful Sunday and we are going to need to score 40 to have any hope of a win.

I do think the D will improve once they get a few weeks in the new system under their belts and all the position battles/question marks work themselves out. But the O is going to have to carry the load for the first month of the season.

[Stripes]

I could see the defense "surprising" just for week one given that the Browns may be fielding the least talented offense in the league. But if they play well, I won't really view it as a signal of anything. The offense absolutely must play up to par. Myles Garrett and Denzel Ward still exist.

[ArmyBengal]

You know what would please me to no end and has next to no hope of happening?

A step on your throat running game that controls the clock, bores the shit out of everyone and ends 17-3.

That being said, the final score will probably be like 63-48, Bengals.

[HoosierCat]

First depth chart issued.

https://www.cincyjungle.com/cincinnati-bengals-roster/173733/2025-depth-chart

No big surprises. Patrick gets the nod at RG but Risner is right behind him.

Stewart backing up Ossai, Murphy behind Hendrickson.

Charlie Jones to return both kicks and punts.

Hill is the starting nickel corner, as expected.

Fant over Hudson over Grandy at the back end of the TE room

[AMPHAR]

Number 1 - No one can disappoint on opening day like the Bengals.   So yeah, I'd expect a win but we all know how that goes especially on the road up in Cleveland.

Defensive depth chart is interesting.   I'd expect to see Newton on the field as well Murphy, Jenkins and Stewart a lot.  So it will be interesting how exactly they use Dax Hill and then get a D-line rotation going. 

Bengals need to put scoring pressure on the Browns.   If they lose while scoring less than 23 points its on the offense, IMO.    They return every piece on offense and up graded both guard spots.  Get the ball out of your hand early and let your athletes put points on the board.  

[ArmyBengal]

I don't exactly know why, but I'm really good knowing Jenkins and Jackson are the backup guys at DT.
I think this allows them both to continue to grow while not in a starter's role.
The DT depth is really solid to me.

Please go sign another veteran safety.  There are about 2-3 that would be a nice add at this point.
Saw where the Pats let Jabril Peppers go.  He had a bit of a resurgence in NE.
He would be an instant upgrade to the depth and maybe prove better than at least one of the starters.

I don't like the CB depth at all, but don't expect anything there.

That WR group is just stupid stacked.

[Stripes]

There's also the inevitable factor that the Bengals and Browns are routinely incapable of playing in normal football games against one another. The Battle of Ohio is the weirdest series of football in the league. Kelly Holcomb 5 TDs in a loss weird.

[ArmyBengal]

12 minutes ago, Stripes said:

Kelly Holcomb 5 TDs in a loss weird.

No shit right?

[AMPHAR]

My favorite Battle of Ohio was Johnny Football first start.   The optimism was so high and they were thinking Superbowl then crash, thud, bang.   

 

[ArmyBengal]

I love how Johnny Fuckface, while reflecting on the his own responsibility in the Browns trainwreck with him, still hates them and hopes they lose every game, every season.

[HoosierCat]

My favorite Battle of Ohio moment came in a game against Seattle.

 

[COB]

Unwarranted and delusional optimism is at an all time high.  Our players are so much better than Cleveland’s players, we’d have to get outcoached at a Bellicheat vs Urban Meyer level to actually lose this game.

[HoosierCat]

Kiss of death delivered: Prisco picks the Bengals to win.

https://www.cbssports.com/nfl/news/priscos-week-1-nfl-picks-bills-outlast-ravens-jets-beat-aaron-rodgers-and-bears-ruin-j-j-mccarthys-debut/

[ArmyBengal]

I actually like the Browns defense, but don't think much of their offense.

Agree with putting them in a hole.  If they allow the Browns to hang around and grind, it could get stupid.
Put up points and keep the pressure on them.

[AMPHAR]

Browns D-line will be a challenge for sure.     I just don't think it will be wise of Burrow to look to extend plays early in the game.    I think he needs to get the ball out or throw it away.     I really think early on it should be dink and dunk from the Bengals and can a very talented group yac their way to manageable late downs/distance? 

Bengals should be able to put all 3 backs in on any down and be confident in pass pro and pass reception ability.  That's a huge plus in this game, BUT the QB has to want to be boring and sometimes that hasn't been the case with Burrow in first season games. 

That was also a mentioned strength of Fant.  Just had a knack for getting that extra yard turning a 3rd and short to a First.   I think they'll need that mentality because at home that front 7 is going to fly around. 

Of course the line can't get manhandled and that's happened enough as well.