Week 2: Jaguars @ Bengals

[HoosierCat]

Thanks. I did watch through the highlights reel this morning and one thing I was watching was the d line. Looked like they actually got good push and penetration on the Jags’ oline multiple times but kept stumbling, tripping over each other or other comical 3 stooges stuff. (Watch the Tuten td for one such moment, as a Jags oline man stops two rushers up the middle by throwing a third bengal on the ground in front of them that they both trip over.) that’s correctable with time, new scheme growing pains imo.

[gregcook69]

On final question, then time to move on with Browning.

I don’t come in here very often and I know it was 2 years ago, but were folks bashing Burrow’s 4 picks against the Steelers, like Browning on Sunday, or was the focus of the bashing on the missed 29 yard game winning FG by McPherson?

[ArmyBengal]

Honestly, Browning throwing picks, while frustrating to watch, wasn't surprising to me.
At the stadium I could hear a collective groan, but no one was really putting it on Browning around us.
Secondarily to that, I loved how he came back from those errant throws and kept throwing.

As disappointed as I am with Burrow being lost and even though I am expecting losses, I will watch.
At least for now, you guys have convinced me there is intrigue surrounding what might happen.
Give it to the bye and see how it all pans out.  We should definitely know by that point.

@ Vikings, @ Broncos, Lions, @ Packers, Steelers, Jets, and Bears

Browning getting all first team reps will go a long way to help matters. 
Trying to have faith here.  Trying to remember Browning has been in the system for more than a minute.
5-2 over that span would be amazing and not impossible. 

[AMPHAR]

1 hour ago, gregcook69 said:

On final question, then time to move on with Browning.

I don’t come in here very often and I know it was 2 years ago, but were folks bashing Burrow’s 4 picks against the Steelers, like Browning on Sunday, or was the focus of the bashing on the missed 29 yard game winning FG by McPherson?

I can't remember exactly.  I know I didn't think Browning was good.  I thought the O-line in that game was horrible.

Most thou, IMO, that's when Lou's shine started to wear off.   Coming into that game the Steeler Offense had a streak of non-400 yard games and rolled all over Lou's unit.

But Browning was poor against the Steeler twice that year and that makes me nervous because 2 games vs. Steelers will be with him starting. 

 

[gregcook69]

1 hour ago, AMPHAR said:

I can't remember exactly.  I know I didn't think Browning was good.  I thought the O-line in that game was horrible.

Most thou, IMO, that's when Lou's shine started to wear off.   Coming into that game the Steeler Offense had a streak of non-400 yard games and rolled all over Lou's unit.

But Browning was poor against the Steeler twice that year and that makes me nervous because 2 games vs. Steelers will be with him starting. 

 

 Blaming the OL for Burrow’s 4 interceptions, but not blaming OL for Brownings 3 picks on Sunday, or am I just getting ahead of myself?
 

Not much can be done but I look at it like this, how many teams could even have a shot with a backup QB?

[gregcook69]

So assuming you were frustrated AND surprised with Burrow’s 4 picks against the Steelers?

2 hours ago, ArmyBengal said:

Honestly, Browning throwing picks, while frustrating to watch, wasn't surprising to me.   . . . . 
 

[ArmyBengal]

That would require me to remember that game. Sadly my memory is not what is once was. I’m more frustrated with that.

[AMPHAR]

14 hours ago, gregcook69 said:

 Blaming the OL for Burrow’s 4 interceptions, but not blaming OL for Brownings 3 picks on Sunday, or am I just getting ahead of myself?
 

Not much can be done but I look at it like this, how many teams could even have a shot with a backup QB?

I mixed up games.       Browning's first start was vs. the Steelers following Burrow's injury in 2023.

That's what I thought you were talking about.   In that particular game.  Browning should have thrown multiple picks that were dropped or tipped to J'mar Chase.   He ended up throwing 1.   He was not good.   However, OL wasn't either and Defense was horrible.   I didn't think much of Browning as he would not deliver the football and avoided several INTs.  However the line was horrible, I recall two lineman pulling into each other in the run game, just unprepared.  Then the Defense was horrible playing against a bad offense. 

The 4 Int game of Burrow vs. Steelers in the opener.   If I recall most emphasis was on the missed kicking operation and why couldn't Zac tell the future and have a back up long snapper active.    IMO, local media are fan boi's with Burrow and often deflect blame away from him and at the same time Burrow is one of the best QBs in the league.

 

 

 

[AMPHAR]

14 hours ago, gregcook69 said:

Not much can be done but I look at it like this, how many teams could even have a shot with a backup QB?

I can't tell you how many.   Back ups going on a "Hot Streak" and playoff runs have happened in the NFL.  Trying to assign a probability to it is kinda hard. 

The most famous one will be Brady/Bledsoe.  Bledsoe was healthy come playoff time.  Brady got hurt early in AFC Champ game vs. Steelers.  Bledsoe won the game.  Then it was a story line of who would start in Superbowl.  Then who would be starting QB next year.   Ultimately, Bledsoe trade rumors started and happened.  Bengals were briefly in the mix but Bledsoe said "Hell no".   

 

[ArmyBengal]

15 hours ago, gregcook69 said:

 Not much can be done but I look at it like this, how many teams could even have a shot with a backup QB?

Interesting question to ponder...
Agree that it's hard to project how that might work out for any team.  There are a lot of variables.
Obviously, they are different QB's than the starter and may bring a different skill set like being more mobile.
How would that impact what the offense does or how would a defense would plan for that?  I don't know.

I wouldn't assume the #2 QB of a bad team would fare well, but you never know.  Maybe they are a catalyst.
Jaxson Dart in New York might be a good candidate for that situation, but we have no idea.

Then again, there are teams doing well right now and their back up is a dramatic drop off in talent.

2-0 teams and their backup QB:
Bills- Mitchell Trubiskey  (Massive drop off)
Bengals- Jake Browning  (Drop off, but familiar with the system)
Colts- Anthony Richardson  (Richardson is a bust)
Chargers- Trey Lance  (Drop off, but to what degree)
Eagles- Tanner McKee  (Sizeable drop off)
Packers- Malik Willis  (Sizeable drop off)
Buccaneers- Teddy Bridgewater  (When was the last time he played)
49er's- Mac Jones  (Has never done anything)
Cardinals- Jacoby Brissett-  (How old is that dude)
Rams- Jimmy Garoppolo-  (Journeyman QB)

[AMPHAR]

18 hours ago, HoosierCat said:

Thanks. I did watch through the highlights reel this morning and one thing I was watching was the d line. Looked like they actually got good push and penetration on the Jags’ oline multiple times but kept stumbling, tripping over each other or other comical 3 stooges stuff. (Watch the Tuten td for one such moment, as a Jags oline man stops two rushers up the middle by throwing a third bengal on the ground in front of them that they both trip over.) that’s correctable with time, new scheme growing pains imo.

I know Ossasi ran past a sack 1 time.   Kinda 2nd week in a row he's done that.   Still not enough pressure when only rushing down lineman.   Haven't noticed a lot of blitzing which I know Dax is good at. 

 

[AMPHAR]

Backs ups?   When a "franchise" QB proves that with his play, if people are being honest that individual typically receives more credit for team success.    So when a "franchise" QB goes down and a lesser known QB has team success that QB will absorb some of the credit but it really just highlights the parts of the team observers did not credit before. 

Bengals D didn't have a great stat game vs. Jags.  However, most damage was done first half.  The Bengals D rallied in 2nd half and even suffered -2 TO margin without ever playing with a lead.   

Point being.  Browning probably good enough to produce wins that keeps them in the hunt.  But they are going to have to win TO battle and defense will need to continue to improve. 

There's a shit ton of narratives surrounding this team even before the season began.   With Browning now getting a good chunk of games once again this team has an opportunity to show that's its more than Joe Burrow.   

[AMPHAR]

Film break downs:   From what I've seen and its weird having 2 linemen on this when the franchise QB goes down:

1. Fairchild - damn good.

2. Mims - damn good

3. Risner - struggle bus

4. Dax - Damn good

5. CTB - Damn good.

[ArmyBengal]

Happy to see Mims and Fairchild listed as they certainly passed the eyeball test watching from the stands.
I really like both of those players and if they can continue to add to them in the future, all the better.