Schedule Thread

[CrashDavisSports]

That was self admitted pie in the sky...but also...many of these games, the Bengals absolutely should win.

Even if you give them a loss/slip up here and there...they are still looking at 11 wins, at the minimum...10 wins likely won't do it for the playoffs...so, it needs to be 11...and I think we all agree this should be a playoff team with Burrow and Chase, Higgins, Gesicki, etc...no reason this offense shouldn't put up similar numbers to last year, or even better if the defense can get just 1 or 2 more stops per game.

I think there is a lot of angst over the defense, and rightfully so - but I also think it's knee-jerked so far in the other direction that too many are thinking the defense needs to make this massive jump for the Bengals to compete...for a SB - maybe...but to win the AFCN/playoffs...it just needs to get back to league average, or even slightly below. Just can't be bottom 5-7.

My only problem with this is the Ravens. Winning the North means going through the Ravens who have a great defense and offense. They also have our recent number thanks to that defense in question.

 

[Cincyfan78]

My only problem with this is the Ravens. Winning the North means going through the Ravens who have a great defense and offense. They also have our recent number thanks to that defense in question.

Agreed - the recent defense is the big concern with this team more so than anything else.

Yes, splitting with the Ravens is a big task with his in mind, but I'll keep pointing out - the defense the last 2 years was historically bad - and the offense kept pace (with exception to the game where burrow hurt his thumb/wrist - and even then the offense was moving). A small step in the right direction could be big - consider how bad the defense was last year - and still only lost both games by a combined 4 points. (35-34, and 41-38).

So, yes - it's a tough task, but one we've seen the offense be up to the task against a good Ravens team. The defense, big questions - again - but, I just don't see the change in DC resulting in another franchise worst defense for nearly the 3rd year in a row. They don't have to be top 10...just not bottom 5-7...I'll keep saying that, because as long as Burrow is healthy, and the offense is what we expect (or anywhere near that) - this team doesn't need the defense to be elite...just around league average.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Agreed - the recent defense is the big concern with this team more so than anything else.

Yes, splitting with the Ravens is a big task with his in mind, but I'll keep pointing out - the defense the last 2 years was historically bad - and the offense kept pace (with exception to the game where burrow hurt his thumb/wrist - and even then the offense was moving). A small step in the right direction could be big - consider how bad the defense was last year - and still only lost both games by a combined 4 points. (35-34, and 41-38).

So, yes - it's a tough task, but one we've seen the offense be up to the task against a good Ravens team. The defense, big questions - again - but, I just don't see the change in DC resulting in another franchise worst defense for nearly the 3rd year in a row. They don't have to be top 10...just not bottom 5-7...I'll keep saying that, because as long as Burrow is healthy, and the offense is what we expect (or anywhere near that) - this team doesn't need the defense to be elite...just around league average.

Yes, head to head with the Ravens is a tough task, but a split there doesn't necessarily stop the Ravens from reeling off 14 wins total. That is what I am saying. Teams have a hard time fighting with the Ravens and coming out on top. More often than not the Ravens come out on top. They have those few questionable games, but in general you have to outscore their offense and with their defense, that is a tall task.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Yes, head to head with the Ravens is a tough task, but a split there doesn't necessarily stop the Ravens from reeling off 14 wins total. That is what I am saying. Teams have a hard time fighting with the Ravens and coming out on top. More often than not the Ravens come out on top. They have those few questionable games, but in general you have to outscore their offense and with their defense, that is a tall task.

Oh, well - sure...but the point wasn't just to win the AFCN, but also point out that the Bengals should be in a really good spot for the playoffs regardless of the AFCN outcome...if you squeak in around 11...you can still get burned a bit...if you stack early wins where you should, and take care of that big 5 game stretch of games you should be favored in - split with Bmore...you're talking 12-13-14 wins...and regardless of who wins the AFCN - you are in the playoffs.

That's where the Bengals have been pretty good with Burrow, and the Ravens not so much with Lamar....FWIW.

 

[cincygrad]

Okay CincyGrad...you found a new board optimist, because I think Cincy78 is on crack. haha

I think he's been spending a lot of time in his 'naked room.'

 

[cincygrad]

That was self admitted pie in the sky...but also...many of these games, the Bengals absolutely should win.

Even if you give them a loss/slip up here and there...they are still looking at 11 wins, at the minimum...10 wins likely won't do it for the playoffs...so, it needs to be 11...and I think we all agree this should be a playoff team with Burrow and Chase, Higgins, Gesicki, etc...no reason this offense shouldn't put up similar numbers to last year, or even better if the defense can get just 1 or 2 more stops per game.

I think there is a lot of angst over the defense, and rightfully so - but I also think it's knee-jerked so far in the other direction that too many are thinking the defense needs to make this massive jump for the Bengals to compete...for a SB - maybe...but to win the AFCN/playoffs...it just needs to get back to league average, or even slightly below. Just can't be bottom 5-7.

I'd love to agree with you, but last year weighs heavy on me. I still look at that schedule and figure there is no way they miss the playoffs with a healthy Burrow. Not only was Burrow healthy, the dude was unreal.... And we still missed the playoffs. So, I just can't get there with the optimism.

That said, I do not think it is likely that our D is as historically bad as it was last year. And I don't think we'll have a kicker/holder that directly contributes to 3 losses. And I think we get a few more calls or balls bouncing our way. The absurdity of last season included gifting a win to the Chiefs (PI penalty), gifting a win to the Ravens (dropped snap), and gifting a win to the Chargers (2 missed field goals in last 8 minutes). And there were probably 3 or 4 other games that were complete toss-ups that just didn't turn our way. So, I figure this won't happen again..... But, I also don't think we have the roster to win 2 or 3 straight playoff games to get to the SB. It would have to be a Herculean effort by Burrow to make that happen.

 

[Cincyfan78]

I think he's been spending a lot of time in his 'naked room.'

You're just upset you don't have one...ha!

 

[Cincyfan78]

I'd love to agree with you, but last year weighs heavy on me. I still look at that schedule and figure there is no way they miss the playoffs with a healthy Burrow. Not only was Burrow healthy, the dude was unreal.... And we still missed the playoffs. So, I just can't get there with the optimism.

That said, I do not think it is likely that our D is as historically bad as it was last year. And I don't think we'll have a kicker/holder that directly contributes to 3 losses. And I think we get a few more calls or balls bouncing our way. The absurdity of last season included gifting a win to the Chiefs (PI penalty), gifting a win to the Ravens (dropped snap), and gifting a win to the Chargers (2 missed field goals in last 8 minutes). And there were probably 3 or 4 other games that were complete toss-ups that just didn't turn our way. So, I figure this won't happen again..... But, I also don't think we have the roster to win 2 or 3 straight playoff games to get to the SB. It would have to be a Herculean effort by Burrow to make that happen.

I think that's probably a nuanced take. Though - I don't think if you looked at that SB run season, anyone would have said they had the roster to make the SB that year, either. The defense was coming off an equally as bad year (due to a lot of injuries), Burrow was coming off ACL surgery...and, to that point, there was no history of the Bengals making the playoffs and winning a game, much less multiple, much less winning an AFCC game.

I'm not saying this squad is a SB contender...just that, there is a path to a really good season, and that path isn't as narrow as some may think. Make the playoffs...after that, anything can happen when you have an elite QB.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

You're just upset you don't have one...ha!

50 Shades of Cincyfan78.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

I think that's probably a nuanced take. Though - I don't think if you looked at that SB run season, anyone would have said they had the roster to make the SB that year, either. The defense was coming off an equally as bad year (due to a lot of injuries), Burrow was coming off ACL surgery...and, to that point, there was no history of the Bengals making the playoffs and winning a game, much less multiple, much less winning an AFCC game.

I'm not saying this squad is a SB contender...just that, there is a path to a really good season, and that path isn't as narrow as some may think. Make the playoffs...after that, anything can happen when you have an elite QB.

1 vote for Cincyfan78 as the new board optimist! You got my vote kid, keep up the good work!

 

[Cincyfan78]

1 vote for Cincyfan78 as the new board optimist! You got my vote kid, keep up the good work!

Not optimist...pragmatic. I rarely get too high or too low...in this instance, with everyone looking pretty down...being in the middle makes me look a bit like Santa Clause on Prozac...lol

 

[cincygrad]

I think that's probably a nuanced take. Though - I don't think if you looked at that SB run season, anyone would have said they had the roster to make the SB that year, either. The defense was coming off an equally as bad year (due to a lot of injuries), Burrow was coming off ACL surgery...and, to that point, there was no history of the Bengals making the playoffs and winning a game, much less multiple, much less winning an AFCC game.

I'm not saying this squad is a SB contender...just that, there is a path to a really good season, and that path isn't as narrow as some may think. Make the playoffs...after that, anything can happen when you have an elite QB.

Definitely agree, but we also never expected to get as much out of all the new free agents that year.... Hendrickson, Larry O, BJ Hill (trade), second year of Reader (first healthy), Chido, Hilton, even Apple. And we also had insane injury luck and a kicker playing out of his mind.