Week 4: Bengals @ Broncos (MNF)

[HoosierCat]

Somehow we are still first in the AFCN. Ah, football, never change.

Bengals 24 - Broncos 20.

 

[COB]

Broncos 20, Bengals 14.

[Saintsfan1]

If Bengals can pull this off they have a chance. I think Bengals could win the home stand and if they do they will be 5-4 or 6-3 going into the bye. If they can beat the Pats they could 6-5 or 7-4 going into the Thanksgiving game, where hopefully Burrow is able to play. If not, two more losses to the Ravens and Bills. Then weeks 15-18 should be winnable.

I'm hoping the Ravens lose that TNF to the Dolphins because of some numbers I'm playing with. 

I'm looking at what teams will win 9 games. Pats lost to the Steelers, but they need to lose to the Bills, Saints/Bucs/Falcons, Bengals, Giants, Ravens, and Jets. They will be 9-8 then. 

Ravens could lose to the Chiefs, Vikings, Browns, Steelers, Bengals, and Packers. However, they could lose twice to the Steelers. And I'm not sure they will go 3-0 in that home stand. Something tells me they'll let one slip.

Steelers have already won two games they were not supposed to, but lost one. But looking at the AFC North narrative and the fact that the Texans are likely not winning the AFC South three games behind(meaning two AFC teams will not repeat as division champs and it's NOT going to be the Chiefs), they're going to probably win the division. It is someone else's turn.

Chargers are likely going to win until week 6, 8, 9, or 10. If they don't blow it against the Giants. The Broncos, however, are 1-2 and I expect them to lose to the Eagles, Jets/Giants(London trap), Chiefs, Commanders, Raiders at least with possible losses to Bengals, Chiefs again, Packers, and Jaguars.

I think winning this game makes 10-7 possible if Burrow beats the timeline, where a head to head over the Pats is enough to beat them out if they win more then 9 games. 

 

We have to realize Vikings at home are tough, and when they're coming off a home loss already, that's never good for anybody. This loss may be a bit exaggerated as they got two defensive TDs and Bengals played well defensively. Texans got tossed around there last year, and I'm expecting the Eagles to lose there.

 

 

[ArmyBengal]

Did anyone watch the Broncos Chargers game Sunday?  I did.
What I came away with is that those two teams seem so much more prepared and ready to go come game day.
Both of them are better teams than the Bengals.  Maybe even with Burrow under center.

Bengals lose again, but I will be rooting for a win.  Just hoping to make it through the first half before moving on.
Leaves are starting to pile up though and it's going to be a nice weekend, so there are competing priorities.

[Stripes]

7.5 point underdogs. That's a bigger spread than I expected.

[ArmyBengal]

Can't say as I'm surprised when considering what happened last week and then playing on the road in primetime.
I would really love to see them get a win in Denver, but I am not holding much hope in that happening.
Denver could just as easily be 3-0 right now.  I'd give up the 7.5 and take the Donks if I were betting.

This sucks !!

[Prophecy]

Was really looking forward to this game a couple of weeks ago. Now, I just hope it not an embarrassment on National TV. Denver has put up 20 or more every game this season. Bengals likely need to put up 30+ to win.

[TJJackson]

Donkeys 38, Bengals 3

[Allentown21]

Gut check time. You could feel the demoralization from the burrow injury vs the Vikings. The Bengals have to dig deep and internalize that burrow will be back. Everything is still on the table. I said before burrow is going to be back earlier than expected imo.

 

They gotta dig down and get this win. If they win here, the pressure will go down a little especially if Browning can play solid. 

Bengals 26

Broncos 24

 

 

[ArmyBengal]

If they win Monday night, which I don't think they will.  They would be in a great position through week 4.
They would be 3-0 against the AFC and 1-0 in the division.  You couldn't really ask for much more through 4 weeks of play.

And yet, here I am with next to no faith this team will come together and achieve much more than an average at best season.
Maybe Browning just needs more time in the driver's seat.  Maybe the defense just needs more time to get use to Al's system.
Maybe they figure out that running the ball is allowed.  Maybe they figured out you can't turn the ball over all the time.

Am I being a little snarky about it?  Maybe, but that's just where I am.

Bengals- 17
Broncos- 31

[HoosierCat]

So Dehner penned a piece today.

How Jake Browning and the Bengals must adjust to save Cincinnati’s season

Now, before you click, I ask you, what deep thought, what grand strategy, does Dehner say must occur? Remember, he is a long-time, well-paid sportswriter, unlike us peons who must wait for scraps of knowledge to be dropped from on high. Is it:

a. Browning has to stop throwing interceptions

b. Taylor has to stop eating Cap'n Crunch before games

c. Mike must sell the team to Elon Musk, who will rename them X and relocate the franchise to Mars

d. Browning has to stop throwing interceptions

At least I don't pay for the Athletic...

[ArmyBengal]

Well, I can't read the article anyway, but going to go with A.  No wait, D.

While understanding Browning has thrown a ton of picks in two games, I hope somewhere in that piece Dehner mentions that the coaching staff sure as shit could make things easier on old Jake if they could just find a way to establish an effective running game.  I get they ran it 21 times to Browning's 27 attempts, but that's where "effective" comes into play.  When you are down 31 points at halftime, I get you are throwing the ball more, but when you don't, they simply cannot be taking losses when those attempts are made.  Is that the o-line blocking better?  Is that Chase Brown needing better vision?  I honestly do not know, but they need to do better.

Yeah he threw two interceptions, but he didn't have shit to do with Perrine, Chase, Brown, Fant and Grandy all putting the ball on the ground.
Fix that Bengals.  What about giving up nearly 170 yards rushing defense?  Where you at Al?  Fix that.

[HoosierCat]

Yah he does talk about the run, mostly adding more short stuff, screens etc to Brown as opposed to trying to run up the middle behind this oline. 

[volcom69]

All I know is watching the Steelers just dominate this Vikings team who gave the Bengals there biggest loss in who knows how long, yes this team had HUGE coaching problem!!