Ratbirds won

[cincygrad]

I don't think so. Our special teams let us down, we lost our punter, had a poor call on Peerman on that KO faircatch, as it was obvious he was just telling Tate, he had it. We just got behind early and hard due to some miscues.

We toughened up, and played solid ball after the 1st quarter (20 of the last 26 belonged to us), but with Marvin losing his mind in the last 1:00 of the 1st half and watsing our time and timeouts, was ridiculous.

I am not worried about our mental makeup. I am concerned about the amount of injuries piling up on the defensive side, especially at the backend. Hall is gone, Mays is gone, Newman hurt for several weeks, Kirkpatrick knicked up for who knows how long....all we have left is Jones, Crocker and Ghee. We need secondary help bad.

Special teams gaffes in big moments are indicative of a team that isn't mentally tough. And please don't forget all the drops on offense, all the missed blocks and the tentative nature of the defense. Again, it looked like a team that was playing not to lose - Sadly, they looked much 'tougher' in Pittsburgh last year.

As for the end of the game..... Can't make anything of that. Pittsburgh was up big. They didn't 'give' us points, but they certainly were happy to allow us to take 7 minutes to score a touchdown.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Special teams gaffes in big moments are indicative of a team that isn't mentally tough. And please don't forget all the drops on offense, all the missed blocks and the tentative nature of the defense. Again, it looked like a team that was playing not to lose - Sadly, they looked much 'tougher' in Pittsburgh last year.

As for the end of the game..... Can't make anything of that. Pittsburgh was up big. They didn't 'give' us points, but they certainly were happy to allow us to take 7 minutes to score a touchdown.

I know what you mean, but no one quit and gave up. We fought until the end, just didn't have enough to overcome it. It was on the road, we have to become better there, but we are coming home now, and if we can just hang on, we will get a first round playoff game at home. At least we stand a punchers chance this time.

 

[alf8478]

I know what you mean, but no one quit and gave up. We fought until the end, just didn't have enough to overcome it. It was on the road, we have to become better there, but we are coming home now, and if we can just hang on, we will get a first round playoff game at home. At least we stand a punchers chance this time.

We do?

 

[NCBengal]

Wow, I agree with Crash... j/k.

Crash is right... stop panicking. We got behind early could not fully recover. You have to admit the crap that went on was surreal so let's just see how they respond this week. I will panic after this Sunday. Until then, let it go and pray the leaders in the locker room take over tell these guys to nut up and show the league they are good enough to beat ANYONE.

This league has parody all around so you have to be prepared every game or you will get your ass handed to you. Look at the Jaguars. The Jets beat the Saints for Christ sakes.

Buck up. Did you really think this team would make it easy on us?

 

[cincygrad]

Wow, I agree with Crash... j/k.

Crash is right... stop panicking. We got behind early could not fully recover. You have to admit the crap that went on was surreal so let's just see how they respond this week. I will panic after this Sunday. Until then, let it go and pray the leaders in the locker room take over tell these guys to nut up and show the league they are good enough to beat ANYONE.

This league has parody all around so you have to be prepared every game or you will get your ass handed to you. Look at the Jaguars. The Jets beat the Saints for Christ sakes.

Buck up. Did you really think this team would make it easy on us?

This week probably doesn't matter. Baltimore and Miami will probably both win. It will all come down to week 17..... I suppose we should probably anticipate the Ravens/Bengals being for the division and the game flexed to primetime. That should just about put the nails in our coffin.

 

[alf8478]

Wow, I agree with Crash... j/k.

Crash is right... stop panicking. We got behind early could not fully recover. You have to admit the crap that went on was surreal so let's just see how they respond this week. I will panic after this Sunday. Until then, let it go and pray the leaders in the locker room take over tell these guys to nut up and show the league they are good enough to beat ANYONE.

This league has parody all around so you have to be prepared every game or you will get your ass handed to you. Look at the Jaguars. The Jets beat the Saints for Christ sakes.

Buck up. Did you really think this team would make it easy on us?

I will admit that I had been waiting for this kind of stinker of a game for a while. My fear was that it was going to come against the Jets since I am surrounded by Jets fans at work.

I think the fact that it came against the Steelers makes us all uneasy because it gives a sense of "same old Bengals", and "not ready for primetime". It is worrisome though, and will be extra worrisome if the team starts flat Sunday.

 

[alf8478]

This week probably doesn't matter. Baltimore and Miami will probably both win. It will all come down to week 17..... I suppose we should probably anticipate the Ravens/Bengals being for the division and the game flexed to primetime. That should just about put the nails in our coffin.

There are gonna most likely 3 winner goes to playoff games week 17, CHI-GB, DAL-PHI, BAL-CIN. I'd say our game would rank last in popularity of the 3, so we wont be flexed.

 

[cincygrad]

There are gonna most likely 3 winner goes to playoff games week 17, CHI-GB, DAL-PHI, BAL-CIN. I'd say our game would rank last in popularity of the 3, so we wont be flexed.

I think it's unlikely to be CHI-GB if Detroit wins on Sunday (home against NY) and Chicago loses in Philly on Sunday night..... That would basically eliminate Chicago's chances and make them unappealing. But you're right -- If that happens, it would likely set up a Dallas/Philly winner take all game in Dallas and network would absolutely love that game. Then again, Dallas could easily be upset this weekend in DC given that it's December and Tony Romo is involved.

 

[DanBengalfan]

the biggest problem I saw Sunday was that we gave Ben Rothlesburger all the time in the world to throw, several times it was like he was playing flag football.

 

[alf8478]

I think it's unlikely to be CHI-GB if Detroit wins on Sunday (home against NY) and Chicago loses in Philly on Sunday night..... That would basically eliminate Chicago's chances and make them unappealing. But you're right -- If that happens, it would likely set up a Dallas/Philly winner take all game in Dallas and network would absolutely love that game. Then again, Dallas could easily be upset this weekend in DC given that it's December and Tony Romo is involved.

How many years in a row would this be with Dallas playing (and losing) a win and in game on the last day of the season?

We've gotta hope one of those other scenarios take shape so we can avoid the prime time game.

Its crazy how unsettled a lot of the seeding is this late. There's still a chance Miami can win their division!

 

[CrashDavisSports]

This week probably doesn't matter. Baltimore and Miami will probably both win. It will all come down to week 17..... I suppose we should probably anticipate the Ravens/Bengals being for the division and the game flexed to primetime. That should just about put the nails in our coffin.

If we get flexed to Primetime in week 17, yes, we will be F'd. Let's hope we win this week and the Patriots beat the Ravens.

I just can't believe that in week 17 we COULD be playing for a #2 seed, lose that game, and we are out of the playoffs.

 

[Tgann69]

I don't think so. Our special teams let us down, we lost our punter, had a poor call on Peerman on that KO faircatch, as it was obvious he was just telling Tate, he had it. We just got behind early and hard due to some miscues.

We toughened up, and played solid ball after the 1st quarter (20 of the last 26 belonged to us), but with Marvin losing his mind in the last 1:00 of the 1st half and watsing our time and timeouts, was ridiculous.

I am not worried about our mental makeup. I am concerned about the amount of injuries piling up on the defensive side, especially at the backend. Hall is gone, Mays is gone, Newman hurt for several weeks, Kirkpatrick knicked up for who knows how long....all we have left is Jones, Crocker and Ghee. We need secondary help bad.

It seems like the board has a concensus of NOT wanting to be PRIMETIME. Are u kidding me? PRIMETIME games are awesome and others talk about changing the culture but avoid PRIMETIME...Flacco wins on the big stage Dalton has yet to prove he can and by all The anti-PRIMETIME posts I think most agree bc ur afraid of something that's for sure.

Also, for this reason I think u guys have problems you wrote "I am not worried about our mental makeup. I am concerned about the amount of injuries piling up on the defensive side, especially at the backend. Hall is gone, Mays is gone, Newman hurt for several weeks, Kirkpatrick knicked up for who knows how long....all we have left is Jones, Crocker and Ghee. We need secondary help bad."

On the other hand we are healthier then we have been all year on offense and defense. Also, ur pass rush against the Steelers plus having a banged up secondary lends to opportunities by big play wr's like Jacoby Jones and Torrrey Smith.

Should be an interesting 2 weeks.

Btw I'm not butthurt just having fun guy....chill...nerves on this board are getting rattled take a breath.

 

[Tgann69]

the biggest problem I saw Sunday was that we gave Ben Rothlesburger all the time in the world to throw, several times it was like he was playing flag football.

That plays a banged up secondary is a disaster.

 

[Tgann69]

That plays a banged up secondary is a disaster.

^not sure if that was English?

A banged up secondary and no pass rush is a disaster this time of year.

 

[cincygrad]

If we get flexed to Primetime in week 17, yes, we will be F'd. Let's hope we win this week and the Patriots beat the Ravens.

I just can't believe that in week 17 we COULD be playing for a #2 seed, lose that game, and we are out of the playoffs.

Believe it. It's going to happen.

 

[bengaldoug]

So be it then. Either we're good enough to win our way in or we are not. I can deal with that either way.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Believe it. It's going to happen.

Miami could still lose a game, and a win against Minnesota will guarantee us a playoff spot, won't it?

 

[Be Weary of Query]

Miami could still lose a game, and a win against Minnesota will guarantee us a playoff spot, won't it?

Yes. Clinches the Wild Card.

Week 16

- Miami loses at Buffalo (or at home vs. Jets in Week 17) and Bengals win vs. Vikings...the worst the Bengals can be is the 6th seed.

- If the above happens and the Ravens lose at home to the Patriots, the Bengals win the Division.

- If Baltimore wins vs. the Pats...the Week 17 matchup will mean: Bengals win and are the #2 seed, Bengals lose and are the #6 seed and will (probably) go to Baltimore.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Yes. Clinches the Wild Card.

Week 16

- Miami loses at Buffalo (or at home vs. Jets in Week 17) and Bengals win vs. Vikings...the worst the Bengals can be is the 6th seed.

- If the above happens and the Ravens lose at home to the Patriots, the Bengals win the Division.

- If Baltimore wins vs. the Pats...the Week 17 matchup will mean: Bengals win and are the #2 seed, Bengals lose and are the #6 seed and will (probably) go to Baltimore.

I am pretty sure we would go to Indy, as Indy would have more wins than Baltimore if they continue to win. Indy would be the 3rd seed and we would be the 6th, so we would be heading to Indy, while KC travels to Baltimore.

 

[alf8478]

Buffalo just announced that Thad Lewis will be at qb this week against Miami.