Bengals Elite?

[Tubbs1518]

NFL Week 7: Defenses get offensive - ESPN

This article thinks so

 

[cincygrad]

Looking good thus far.... We need a win this week. 6-2 vs. the teams we played in the first half is a very good mark.

 

[DanBengalfan]

oh boy...

I think our remaining CB will be dubbed "toast" and "bagel"

and just wait until one of them starts limping off the field

 

[bengaldoug]

Don't care for the E word......but they have learned how to win close games against good teams, and that is something we haven't been able to say about our Bengals since 1988.....

 

[Cincyfan78]

Don't care for the E word......but they have learned how to win close games against good teams, and that is something we haven't been able to say about our Bengals since 1988.....

Carson did lead 4 comeback wins in his last year taking the team to the playoffs...what was that, 2009?

But you are right. The defense gets the stops when they absolutely have to, the offense just finds ways to get it done. It might not always be pretty, but you have to give some props to Andy for keeping defenses off balance with spreading the ball all over the field. You can put 9 in the box to cover the short passing game, but when you are constantly hitting 6-7-8 different guys a game, it makes it hard on defenses to key in on one area to take away and force Andy to make mistakes.

Special teams have been solid. Nugent has missed 2, but one shouldn't have been wiped out by a Gresham penalty before missing the re-kick.

Huber has been absolutley, fucking outstanding. The guy have punted the shit out of the ball, and has consistently pinned returners deep in their own territory, or against the sideline with no room to return.

Now, as long as regular Marvin doesn't find his way out of the closet and replace Bizzaro Marvin at coach, this team might actually have a chance at something....

 

[CrashDavisSports]

I don't think we are, even if we are 12-3 in our last 15 regular season games.

Our secondary is much worse in my opinion without Hall, and when we play elite offenses like Denver who go 3 to 4 wide, we will be hurting bad tryign to stop that.

Then I am worried about our lack of running game forcing Dalton to come out of his comfort zone, putting more pressure on him to win the game strictly on his arm, and then he tries to do too much forcing balls and creating turnovers. If we can't run the ball to keep opposing elite offenses off the field, then we will lose a shootout with someone like Peyton Manning and the Broncos.

The Colts losing Harrison helped us against them if we have to see them in the playoffs.

The Patriots are a shadow of their former self in my opinion.

The Chiefs have the makeup to be like the 2000 Ravens, and win a SB based on a devistating D, a great running game, and solid QB play.

Denver is elite, but showed they can be beat if the defense can knock Manning around a bit.

Even with the Ravens kinda down and out right now, if they get on a roll and happen to make the playoffs as a wildcard, you have to be concerned about them because they always seem to excel in the playoffs for whatever reason. When the stakes are higher, so is their performance.

 

[ckhokie]

Our secondary is a big concern. We also haven't run over teams like 'elite' teams do. Wins are great, and I will surely take them, but last second ints, or fumble recoveries, or field goals against almost all of our (some inferior) opponents doesn't make you elite.

 

[Wazmankg]

You have a nice team. Not quite elite though. But at this point they look to be easily the best in the AFC North so they could very well get a bye and a home playoff game then who knows.

 

[DanBengalfan]

yea, you have to take wrap around stats with a grain of salt. I remember someone was using a wraparound stat on the radio that basically proved that the Jeff Blake/Carl Pickens combo was just as deadly as the Joe Montana/Jerry Rice combo

 

[bengaldoug]

If Dalton's performance last Sunday doesn't turn out to be fools gold, and he can repeat it a couple of times, then I think we can say the team has at least taken a step forward this year and could finally be good enough to win a playoff game. Once they've won one, anything can happen. Every team, including Denver, has faults and weaknesses. It is just the nature of the game with 53 man rosters, only 46 suit ups, and the salary cap.

 

[Cincyfan78]

This team has done ok with Hall this year when he was out. They can do it again. However, guys like Ghee or Kirkpatrick need to sack up and start playing with the ability they have. In Ghee's case, he needs to take the bubble wrap off and sack up with his injuries.

 

[bengaldoug]

This team has done ok with Hall this year when he was out. They can do it again. However, guys like Ghee or Kirkpatrick need to sack up and start playing with the ability they have. In Ghee's case, he needs to take the bubble wrap off and sack up with his injuries.

Kinda scary that so much will be expected of Ghee and Kirkpatrick, since both have spent more time in the doctor's office than on the playing field. Both are talented, but they just haven't been able to get on the field enough to develop. I wish we could bring in a veteran.