Week 12: Patriots @ Bengals

[HoosierCat]

Despite losing to Pitt, the Bengals slipped one spot to the 9th overall pick due to Atlanta being an even more hopeless franchise than we are. I know it’s hard to believe, but the Bengals aren’t the worst team in the league; an entire quarter of the league is worse.

Pats are 9-2 overall and 5-0 on the road. They should roll over the Bengals like a steamroller over fresh blacktop.

Games to watch this week are Raiders-Browns and Saints-Falcons. All those teams are ahead of us in the draft order so we should get help no matter what. Assuming a Bengals loss, we could improve to 7 overall with Raiders and Falcons wins.

Updated odds from Dehner: still <1% chance of landing the first overall. 24% chance of a top 5 pick. 79% chance top 10.

[volcom69]

What are the odds of Zac still being the HC and Golden still being the DC? What are the odds of Duke Tobin still picking the draft class. If all of these are super high, then I’m not sure anything else even matters. 

[HoosierCat]

Duke is probably in a position analogous to Marvin in terms of being fired: he's likely here as long as he wants to be, but there could come a "mutual decision" driven primarily by Tobin finally getting tired of being the heat shield for the FO. I don't see much weariness on Tobin's part, but he lays pretty low during the season, so I guess we'll see. I wouldn't put the odds of a change very high, maybe 5%.

It's hard to see the Bengals firing Golden after just one year. They would probably have to eat at least two years of a contract, assuming a typical 3-year deal, and the Bengals hate to pay guys not to coach. Just like with Burrow on offense, the Hendrickson injury gives them a (bullshit) excuse on defense. The only way I see Al going is if there's a complete housecleaning, starting with Taylor.

As for Zac, I honestly don't know if they will pull the trigger. Between Burrow's injury, Taylor just having one year left on his deal, and the likelihood that Burrow will be lobby for him to stay, I would say the odds are in his favor for one more bite at the apple. But...the team is clearly coming apart and they are going to get destroyed for the next four straight weeks. When the curtain rings down on week 15 and they're 3-11 and eliminated from contention...maybe? Could come down to Joe B ripping off a 3-game DCB at the end of the season to save Zac's job.

I dunno. I don't have any faith they will make any changes that will matter.

[COB]

40 minutes ago, HoosierCat said:

I dunno. I don't have any faith they will make any changes that will matter.

They already made a big change.  Shift4 gang, rise up!

[ArmyBengal]

There in lies the problem we have discussed before and will probably discuss yet again.

Who do they get to replace Zac?  Who the hell wants to coach here and deal with this front office?
I'll tell you who.  Guys that don't have any business being head coaches to start and will deal with BS to have a shot.
I would be in a state of shock if the Bengals could hire an established coach capable have dealing with this front office.

Even if they did, how are they going to approach the draft?  You know, that thing that adds players every spring?
That part of the business where they select players they can build around for the future?
It's another portion of the equation they haven't had any success in figuring out unless picking high in the rounds.

Just keep Burrow under wraps and fucking lose.  Improve your odds of making good selections and hope for the best.

Wish and a prayer in 2026 !!!

[HoosierCat]

Just because I was curious: there were eight coaching changes in 2019, including Taylor taking over from Marvin. Of those eight coaches, two are still coaching today, and only one won a ring. 

The champ:

Bruce Arians, Tampa Bay Buccaneers

• 31-18 / 5-1 inc. 2020 SB Champions
• Retired after going 13-4 in 2021

The survivors:

Matt LaFleur, Green Bay Packers

• 73-36-1 / 3-5
• Still coach in 2025 (6-3-1)

Zac Taylor, Cincinnati Bengals

• 49-53-1 / 5-2
• Still coach in 2025 (3-7)

The rest:

Freddie Kitchens, Cleveland Browns

• 6-10
• Fired after 1 season (2019)

Adam Gase, NY Jets

• 9-23
• Fired after going 2-14 in 2020

Vic Fangio, Denver Broncos

• 19-30
• Fired after going 7-10 in 2021

Brian Flores, Miami Dolphins

• 24-25
• Fired after going 9-8 in 2021

Kliff Kingsbury, Arizona Cardinals

• 28-37-1 / 0-1
• Fired after going 4-13 in 2022

 

 

 

[TJJackson]

so we have all those choices from "the rest" to replace Zakky?

someone get me a dartboard and a blindfold

[HoosierCat]

Quote

"It's incredibly difficult to lead when there's adversity." Zac Taylor says he's had about 12 conversations in his office about yesterday.

Per Trags, actual Taylor quote today.

Fire this guy, now.

 

[HoosierCat]

In player news, lisfranc injury for CTB. Likely means surgery, probably done for the year.

[HoosierCat]

Ja’marr Chase (spitting) OUT for Sunday. Suspended 1 game.

[TJJackson]

FIRE

HIM

TODAY

[Prophecy]

16 minutes ago, HoosierCat said:

In player news, lisfranc injury for CTB. Likely means surgery, probably done for the year.

As bad as he has played, the Brown Family like discounts. They will probably sign him to a cheap 1 year deal, and we will see him get burned again repeatedly next season.

[Prophecy]

2 minutes ago, TJJackson said:

 

He has no idea how to fix the problem, but he seems damn sure that changing personnel is not the answer? Clueless, and soon to be jobless.

[volcom69]

Freaking joke of a team joke of a coach, can’t stand watching and listening to the same shit game after game and year after year. Unreal. 
 

Now our guys are out there spitting on players, what is going on anymore. Damn I miss that 2021 season more and more. Just wish this shit was fun again something to root for. 

[TJJackson]

Not going to defend Jamarr for spitting

thats simply wrong, no matter what Ramsey said or did to provoke him

classless and disgusting

[HoosierCat]

The spitting was dumb and he got the expected slap down. Frankly I don’t care except that it increases our chances of losing and moving up in the draft.

[volcom69]

Ah see Logan Wilson remembers how to tackle again under new coaches, that’s nice to see. 

[Stripes]

Chase's suspension is a big ol' whoop-dee-doo

[HoosierCat]

Sample (oblique) day-to-day.

Hendrickson starting off doubtful.

 

[HoosierCat]

10 hours ago, Stripes said:

Chase's suspension is a big ol' whoop-dee-doo

I've already forgotten his name #Honda

[TJJackson]

Murphy has a big article up on Cincyjungle

One game does not a career make, but if can stay this productive going forward, thats a very good thing

[ArmyBengal]

Life is better not watching or caring about this current team.  Do anything else and your satisfaction immediately increases.

[HoosierCat]

Quote

The Cincinnati Bengals, Hamilton County and the Ohio High School Athletic Association today announced that Paycor Stadium will host the Division I, Region 4 Final between Elder High School and St. Xavier High School on Friday, Nov. 21.

 Go Bombers!

[HoosierCat]

Quote

Controversial online gamer and streamer IShowSpeed was named the Ruler of the Jungle for the Cincinnati Bengals' Week 12 game against the New England Patriots, the team announced on Twitter/X.

Darren Jason Watkins Jr., known online as IShowSpeed, is a Cincinnati native, though he has made negative comments about women in Cincinnati. He also was banned from Twitch after threatening to sexually assault a contestant during a dating show.

IShowSpeed, who attended Purcell Marian High School, boasts 39.7 million Instagram followers and 43.4 million YouTube subscribers, and was among Rolling Stone's Most Influential Creators for 2025.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/nfl/bengals/2025/11/19/ishowspeed-named-bengals-patriots-ruler-jungle-streamer-youtuber-darren-watkins/87348026007/

Whatever.

[COB]

Never heard of this dude.  As I understand it a streamer is a guy who plays video games, puts his picture up in the corner of the video game, talks about what he’s doing and how he’s playing the video game, and other youngsters watch him play the video game.