Week 15: Ravens @ Bengals

[Allentown21]

Looking at the schedule, it's still on the table if Cincinnati wins out they win the division 

 

Still hoping for my Bills vs Cincinnati AFC championship 

Steelers & ravens are trash 

 

[COB]

Burton cut.  Hendrickson surgeried and unlikely to play for us again.  Tee back in concussion protocol.  Zac Taylor repeatedly mistaken for a shift manager at an Enterprise Car Rental counter.  This team is leaking oil.  

[ArmyBengal]

4 hours ago, Coltsguy451 said:

Y'all had to deal with Flacco being in your house, now I have to deal with Philip Rivers being in mine....

I have some great bourbon here...

cheers

We would gladly trade you Flacco for a 5th rounder….

Anyone??
Geeesh

[AMPHAR]

I would not write Trey off just yet.   The Bengals were rumored to have a 2yr 55-60m deal on the table.  Trey wanted guarantees beyond this year and they compromised to 1 year.   If he would have signed the 2 year offer without 2nd year guarantees, does anyone think the Bengals would cut him after the season he just had?   I say no.   To make that offer they have already budgeted the cash/cap ramifications.

No one will argue with adding the best defensive FA to this unit.   Trey will be the best defensive FA available.   Tag.  If Trey was smart he'd sign it immediately.   If he doesn't Bengals can shop through a thin FA class and if they find several items they can sign, then remove tag or trade.

Worse case scenario, they are adding the best defensive FA available.  

 

[HoosierCat]

Happy 29th birthday, Joe Burrow.

 

[HoosierCat]

Hopium? You want hopium? John Breech has a big ol' pipeful, breathe deep!

Quote

Here's how Cincinnati could win the division at 8-9: 

• Bengals go 4-0 over final four games: vs. Ravens (Win), at Dolphins (Win), vs. Cardinals (Win), vs. Browns (Win)
• Steelers go 1-3 over final four games: vs. Dolphins (Loss), at Lions (Loss), at Browns (Win), vs. Ravens (Loss)

Breakdown: Like the Ravens, the Bengals would need the Steelers to go 1-3, but the upside for the Bengals is that it doesn't matter which game the Steelers win, so we'll give them a win over the Browns. In this scenario, the Bengals would win the divisional record tiebreaker by going 5-1 in the AFC North, which would top the Steelers' 4-2 record. 

But wait, THERE'S MORE! How about the Bengals winning the division while going 7-10? Yup it could mathematically happen, and not just for Cincy but for Baltimore, too.

Quote

The Steelers are in first place at 7-6, but they play the Dolphins and Lions over the next two weeks and if they were to lose both of those games, it wouldn't be completely crazy for an 7-10 team to win the division. 

Let's break down what would have to happen for a 7-10 team to take the AFC North: 

• Steelers go 0-4 over final four games: vs. Dolphins (Loss), at Lions (Loss), at Browns (Loss), vs. Ravens (Loss)
• Ravens go 1-3 over final four games: at Bengals (Loss), vs. Patriots (Loss), at Packers (Loss), at Steelers (Win)
• Bengals go 3-1 over final four games: vs. Ravens (Win), at Dolphins (Loss), vs. Cardinals (Win), vs. Browns (Win)

Breakdown: If this scenario played out, the Bengals would win the AFC North at 7-10 because they would finish with the best division record. If the Bengals were to slip up and go 2-2 or worse over the final four weeks, then the Ravens would win the division at 7-10 over the Steelers. So the door is still open for either the Bengals or Ravens to win the division at 7-10. 

So, am I saying there's a chance? No not really. What I am saying is that the AFC North sucks donkey balls this year.

 

[AMPHAR]

AFC North is the most competitive division and sometimes the best.    There's been losing division winners in the past so eventually at some point it will happen again.   I would not rule out a 8-9 AFC North Champ.    Is that the Bengals?  We'll see. 

 

[HoosierCat]

Shemar cleared to practice. Working today with a knee brace on.

Tee at practice, doing individual but not team drills. Still in the protocol.

Signed former Buckeye wideout Xavier Johnson to the taxi squad.

[volcom69]

Well Burrow literally sounds so depressed at his presser not sure if things are going on in his life that suck, or just his job right now. 
 

If the bengals were smart they would look at this and see the toll it’s starting to take on him and fix what needs fixed. No matter what it takes just fix it, before we see the same story as we have seen with other QBs. Pull him I the office, no coaches just the fools who run this shit and find out what he feels will fix this, new coaches, an actual GM, whatever it is and work on that, can keep doing this. Best offense this team has ever seen, and they keep wasting it, and wasting the time for fans to watch this shit! 

[AMPHAR]

No need to have pity party for Joe.   Bengals executed what many framed as the Burrow plan this past off season.   I was very much in favor in that course of action and so was the majority.   Shit happened.  

They needed 2/3 wins from the Browning/Flacco stretch.    Its not realistic to think they could have built a defense good enough in 1 off season to overcome Jake Browning's performance.   Jake Browning was starting because Joe wanted to extend a play instead of throwing it away.  Hero ball cost this team AND Jake Browning never being challenged.

Then Flacco on the scene, who the front acquired and some doubted.  The defense shit 3 4th quarters in a row without Trey and went 1-2 in those games.     Then Flacco runs out of magic and the offense slows probably because of his shoulder, I guess, drops a couple more games an improved defense effort.  

So to last week.  On the road playing Josh Allen, 4th quarter, 14 unanswered points off 2 Ints in 2 plays in which no other Bengal touched the ball but Burrow.

How can anyone really think this season sucks because the Bengals just need to fix it?    That's emotion over objectivity.    There wasn't moves that could be made while extending Chase, Higgins, Trey and the other offensive moves that would improve a defense to a level to beat Josh Allen without Trey while the franchise QB is giving up 14 points in the 4th quarter. Like it or not is also difficult to dream up a plan to overcome Jake fiasco.  

 

 

 

[volcom69]

I agree they did give Joe what he wanted, so it sure why he sounded so depressed maybe something personal or maybe because he trained so hard to hardly even play this season.

He did mention his o-line was the bed in his career and right now I have to agree with that and hopefully they can keep this group together.

Defense needs rebuilt so bad not sure how they will go about that, they need to draft amazing defense players this season and hopefully get a few key free agents. If this offense can stay how it is and they bolster there defense then I don’t think they are that far off. 
 

Now what they do with the coaches not sure but guess will see where they go. Just seemed like a really down presser from Joe from the highlights that I watched, but who’s know could be just reading into it to much 

[Stripes]

His team is 4-9. He threw two ugly picks that lost the game and, most likely, the season.

I am sure much of his downer vibe is internal. I think he'll be fine, but a dramatic change of scenery is very important right now. We can't keep trotting out the same old bullshit.

[AMPHAR]

Whatever reason or excuse the offense averages 315 yards a game and under 25 points.   The defense is mid pack in take aways but the TO ratio is -4 because of offensive turnovers and several have gone for scores or set up easy points way over the average.   Similar symptoms the year before as well. 

What was Bengal management supposed do in Free Agent or the Draft to re build a defense from crap to compensate for that at the same time resign all the offensive talent and the defensive superstar that hasn't played?    

It comes off as the offense must be perfect but quite frankly that's the path they chose and it was supported by a lot of people.    Shitty season. 

 

[COB]

2 hours ago, AMPHAR said:

 

What was Bengal management supposed do in Free Agent or the Draft to re build a defense from crap to compensate for that at the same time resign all the offensive talent and the defensive superstar that hasn't played?    

 

What were they supposed to do in free agency?  Forget free agency.  What they were supposed to do is draft defensive players the last several years.  A task at which the front office failed miserably.  Joe’s apparent depression could be the realization that his intensity and desire to win means nothing to a front office that fumbles multiple drafts then shrugs their shoulders and says, “oh well, what are we supposed to do in free agency now to rebuild this defense?”  He knows the steps won’t be taken to bring about a quick defensive turnaround.  We all know it.  I think that’s why he’s wistfully commenting on his good o-line.  What could have been, especially this year when the AFC North is down.  

[COB]

Also, Burrow was asked you seem frustrated, he said there are a lot of things going on right now.  
Reporter: “Football related?  Personal life?”

Burrow: “Both.”

 

He seemed subdued.  Possibly his relationship ended or something is going on in his family.  

[TJJackson]

Burden was not claimed off waivers

[AMPHAR]

Message board fans try to simply things.   Yes,  just go draft defensive players all these years.   Well, NO SHIT.  Really?  Care to post the names?

The fact is:   Since the Burrow extension in 3 season the offense has ranked in the 20s and the highest was 8th.   It was success in producing 2 MVP level seasons for 2 individual players.      

So yes, post the defensive line up that could have been had via those drafts and make the case that defense could overcome the above reality.   That's not even factoring the untalked about trend of offensive TOs that have flipped games the past 2 seasons.    It a lot more than fans acknowledge, Burrow is involved in some of them but not all of them.

Yes, so go post the All-Pros that could have been drafted to overcome the above and make playoffs. 

 

 

 

 

[ArmyBengal]

3 hours ago, TJJackson said:

Burden was not claimed off waivers

People know two cent head when they see it.
Lol

[ArmyBengal]

We all know the draft is a crap shoot so I think it's hard to say what could have been at times.
I also don't think much about picks in round 5-7.  Can they hit?  Sure, but I don't expect all pro play from them.
Looking at the last draft, they took 3 defensive players in the first 4 picks (Stewart, Knight and Carter).
In 2024 they took 2 DT's within their 5 picks in rounds 1-4. (Jenkins and McKinnley)
In 2023 they gave 3 of the 4 picks in rounds 1-4 to the defense (Murphy, Turner and Battle)

That's 8 of 13 picks in the first four rounds that were spent on the defensive side of the ball.
Considering the dearth of talent on the offensive side of things, that looks pretty good to me as a fan.

Here's something I will readily admit I have very little (see no) knowledge of...
The true ability of the scouting staff.  Do we have the smallest scouting staff in the league?  That's what's reported.
Is that by a ton?  I mean do other teams have 25 and we have 3?  Next question...  does that matter?
Is it quantity over quality or what's the deal?  I could assume our scouting staff isn't good at what they do.

However, if the draft is a crap shoot and most teams miss more than hit, is that assumption ill in nature?
I really don't know.  I just want to see the team win and when they don't it bugs me.
It bugs me more when I see us with players like Burrow, Chase, Tee and Trey.
Agree though that they have played their part in losses as well.  Last week was a glaring example.

I don't know, but watching the AFC North suck this bad (which isn't normal) and we aren't taking advantage stinks.
Truth is, being a fan on the outside is a lot of guess work.

 

FIRE ZAC !!!
lol

[HoosierCat]

I certainly wouldn't blame Burrow for being down. After all, he just busted his ass in rehab for months to get back early only to come back to a team that couldn't win more than one game without him, and a hapless defense that gives up points in bunches. In other words, same old, same old.

As to what they could have done, I mean, we've plowed that ground under over the past couple years, right? They could have gotten the deal done with Ja'Marr in 2024, for example, giving them more financial clarity moving forward. This past offseason, between Tee's tag and the final year of Trey's contract, those two guys were already taking up more than $40 million in cap space. They could have signed both to long-term deals that lowered that number substantially, giving them the ability to go after FA defensive talent.

But that's not the "Bengals way." So here we are. Is it just frustration talking? Is Burrow entering his Carson Palmer era? We will find out.

[COB]

2 hours ago, AMPHAR said:

Message board fans try to simply things.   Yes,  just go draft defensive players all these years.   Well, NO SHIT.  Really?  Care to post the names?

The fact is:   Since the Burrow extension in 3 season the offense has ranked in the 20s and the highest was 8th.   It was success in producing 2 MVP level seasons for 2 individual players.      

So yes, post the defensive line up that could have been had via those drafts and make the case that defense could overcome the above reality.   That's not even factoring the untalked about trend of offensive TOs that have flipped games the past 2 seasons.    It a lot more than fans acknowledge, Burrow is involved in some of them but not all of them.

Yes, so go post the All-Pros that could have been drafted to overcome the above and make playoffs. 

 

 

 

 

This message board fan is enthralled.  Your slowly evolving narrative that the Bengals front office does everything right, and the bengals failures are actually Joe Burrow’s fault, is without a doubt the best reading on the internet right now.  

[COB]

2 hours ago, ArmyBengal said:

I could assume our scouting staff isn't good at what they do.

It wouldn’t be an assumption, which is a belief unsupported by fact.  You have come to that conclusion based on a mountain of evidence.  It’s a fact.

[ArmyBengal]

1 hour ago, COB said:

It wouldn’t be an assumption, which is a belief unsupported by fact.  You have come to that conclusion based on a mountain of evidence.  It’s a fact.

Oh I get that thought process for sure.  I do think the scouting department is not only the smallest but the least effective.
I just don't know if that's because they suck at their job or not.  
There is equal evidence of teams with larger scouting staffs than the Bengals and also having poor results.
Again, I think that's because it's widely understood the draft is a crapshoot.

I want to point at the Bengals scouts and laugh, saying "IT'S ALL ON THEM", but I don't really think that's fair.
It's not apples to apples, but Cincinnati weathermen are paid good money to be wrong more often then not and they don't get hate.
There are more reasons than one for that being the case, but still.  Just making an admittedly shitty comparison.

Let me try again.  Reds fans LOVE Elly De La Cruz.  They would never suggest he's a shit baseball player.
However, because baseball is a hard game to be good at, it's understood that failing 7 out of 10 times at the plate is acceptable.
Failing to nail down a pro bowl player in the NFL draft is hard as well, as proven by the number of draft busts in history, but it's not acceptable.

Look, I don't really care about most of that bullshit to be honest, I just want the Bengals to win.
When they don't, I can get a little edgy about it and say outlandish shit.

FIRE EVERYONE !!
 

 

[AMPHAR]

3 hours ago, COB said:

This message board fan is enthralled.  Your slowly evolving narrative that the Bengals front office does everything right, and the bengals failures are actually Joe Burrow’s fault, is without a doubt the best reading on the internet right now.  

 I'm glad you enjoyed.    But I hope Joe doesn't read it, I can't stand the thought of him huddled in the dark broom closet they put him in down at paycor.  Hopefully they didn't listen to the NFLPA and put wifi in there so he could read something negative about him.

But you can post your dream draft defensive line up that is so obvious an error anytime you want.     It just a reality the 3 seasons since he signed a contract extension the offense ranks in the 20s and has never been top 5.    Like it or not there has been a trend of critical offensive TOs that have had direct impacts on the win/loss. 

Don't want to hurt anyone's feeling in here.   Yes, all the 1 score losses are Zac and Tobin's fault, fire them today wouldn't even think of blaming anyone else.   Pretty sure Zac didn't call a run play that Burrow went off script on that Pick 6,  Zac actually called the Pic 6 play.  Dumb.  

 

 

[AMPHAR]

Is it surprising to see fans that supported the moves made previous off seaons, to see the results and identify with the thought of Burrow pouting?   Nope.    The offense was built for Burrow.  It hasn't delivered.    Mike Brown goes from a penny pinching SOB to suddenly not knowing what players could cost? Bullshit.   Ineffective scouting?  Sure.

All that's easy to prove.  What moves should have been made to build a defense?   I think the more people try that exercise they get back to diverting picks and $$$ spent on offense and deploy that to defense.    Mims over Mitchell?  Chase Brown over his brother?   The more moves of this nature that are suggested again run the risk of Burrow pouting.   The offense hasn't produced with them.

He's probably depressed over the same reason the offense is under performing.  Hasn't been on the field AND he's been apart of some game flipping TOs.