So what is your thoughts on the game this weekend??

[rmilia1]

Interested to hear some thoughts from Bengal fans on your concerns on the game and what areas you are confident in. Shoot.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Need the running game to step up and help eat the clock, and for the pass-rush to get to Ryan. No CB can cover Jones/White for too long. The pass-rush has to make their job easy.

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Interested to hear some thoughts from Bengal fans on your concerns on the game and what areas you are confident in. Shoot.

Concerned in getting in a shootout with the Falcons.

Difference between Cincy and NO though, as long as Burfict can go, we have the best player on the field in Vontaze Burfict who is a real difference maker. Plus, unlike NO, we have 6 first round draft picks in our secondary: Newman, Hall, Jones, Kirkpatrick, Dennard, Nelson.

Our defense is light years ahead of the Saints. Another key note, this will be a home game for us this week, where as last week, it was a home game fro Atlanta.

Of course, most this hinges on whether Burfict can go or not after the concussion.

We have a pretty dynamic offense and a lot of playmakers just like Atlanta does, so with both offenses being fundamentally sound units, it comes down to defense and field position. I think Cincinnati has a top 5 defense when Burfict is healthy, which I believe favors the Bengals this week, especially at home.

To Atlanta's credit though, they didn't let last years results carry over and haunt them this year. So kudos to them for standing up, saying this is not the team we are, and came out ready to play football this year.

 

[cincygrad]

Reasons for optimism:

-- Our line play is better on both offense and defense. Should control the line of scrimmage.
-- We're at home. 8-0 last year - Offense typically plays better at home. ATL not a great home team.

Concerns:

-- Burfict's health. We've shown the ability to overcome injuries on D, but losing Burfict last week hurt a lot.
-- Our corners. Ravens receivers were open last week. And they aren't the Falcons receivers.
-- Top concern is.......

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Reasons for optimism:

-- Our line play is better on both offense and defense. Should control the line of scrimmage.
-- We're at home. 8-0 last year - Offense typically plays better at home. ATL not a great home team.

Concerns:

-- Burfict's health. We've shown the ability to overcome injuries on D, but losing Burfict last week hurt a lot.
-- Our corners. Ravens receivers were open last week. And they aren't the Falcons receivers.
-- Top concern is.......

Such an over used cliche regarding Marvin's picture. We have gone 9 wins, 10 wins, 11 wins and a divisional champion the last 3 years with a very young team, and a coaching turnover this last year. We normally would have been in trouble, but Marvin realized that Zimmer and Gruden were not here forever, so he planned ahead, but the right people in place to succeed and follow in those coaches foot steps. Offensively, we might even be in a better place.

We have also been blown away by the talent we have loaded up on in the draft and college free agency as of late. We don't make too many mistakes anymore from rounds 1-5 and we nabbing a few gems in late rounds and college free agency.

Sometimes Marvin's use of clock management is questionable, and his use of replays is sometimes questionable, but there is a guy dedicated to the replays up in the booth that specifically tells Marvin, you have to challenge this or that. Most of those are hardly Marvin's fault. Also, at times, some of that clock management has to be laid on the million dollar players who are lollygagging around instead of getting in and out of the huddle like they are supposed to.

I am not saying Marvin is without fault, but I am saying he is hardly a concern. It just happens to a popular little way to slam the team even though it hardly the case like it happened to be in his first several years.

 

[cincygrad]

Marvin is a shaky game day coach. He always has been.

Several coaches that are decent talent evaluators and decent motivators are shaky game day coaches. Andy Reid is notorious for it.

 

[Skinnyfats]

Bengals will get their running game going this weekend. Quite a few people are throwing up alarms because the Bengals couldn't run vs the Ravens. The line was stacked daring Dalton to beat them.

Facing Atlanta's defense at home should be a lot easier for the Bengals. Hopefully we should see some good runs from Bernard and Hill. Just hope we keep getting smart Andy vs bad Andy.

 

[rmilia1]

Im interested to see how the Atlanta D performs. A lot of people were down on the D after last week but I am going to reserve judgement until we arent playing a top 3 type offense. The Bengals have a solid O but its not at the level of the Saints. I do think that Atlanta is going to have a tougher time scoring this week though but our Oline protected really well last week so if that continues its going to be hard for ANY team to stop our passing game I think

 

[CrashDavisSports]

Im interested to see how the Atlanta D performs. A lot of people were down on the D after last week but I am going to reserve judgement until we arent playing a top 3 type offense. The Bengals have a solid O but its not at the level of the Saints. I do think that Atlanta is going to have a tougher time scoring this week though but our Oline protected really well last week so if that continues its going to be hard for ANY team to stop our passing game I think

I think your Oline will struggle considerably more than they did last week.

1) We have a much better talent base to work with on defense.
2) Our pass rush is light years ahead of the Saints.
3) We are playing at home, it will be loud, and hard to hear so mistakes will happen. Offensive lineman move based on predetermined snap count (if they can hear it), and the defensive line are watching the ball move, so if they see the ball move, the offensive line can't hear the snap count, Ryan will be under duress.

Top offenses struggle against good pass rushing defenses, and top 5 defenses. Cincinnati has both those if they are healthy and Burfict is 100%, because he is maybe the best defensive player in the NFL. I know that sounds like a complete homer, but I really think he is up there with JJ Watt and company. He runs this defense and makes it what it is.

88 yards total offense for the Ravens in Baltimore through 28.5 minutes of the game before Burfict got hurt. After Burfict got hurt, 332 yards of offense the last 31.5 minutes of the game.

That is a considerable difference.

If Burfict is healthy and the crowd shows up and makes the place loud, I can see Cincinnati winning by a TD.

27 to 20

 

[BKBroiler9000]

I don't see our corners being able to stay with Julio. That said, I don't see the Falcons o-line keeping Ryan clean with Atkins in middle and Hunt, Dunlap, Gilberry coming of the edges. Keep in mind, jake Matthews is a rookie coming off an ankle injury last week.

Burfict is the key. The Falcons running game has improved and when Burfict went out last week we couldn't stop Justin Forsett who's a nobody.

I like our running game to get on track this week. Dalton plays pretty well at home and he should have time to throw.

 

[rmilia1]

I don't see our corners being able to stay with Julio. That said, I don't see the Falcons o-line keeping Ryan clean with Atkins in middle and Hunt, Dunlap, Gilberry coming of the edges. Keep in mind, jake Matthews is a rookie coming off an ankle injury last week.

Burfict is the key. The Falcons running game has improved and when Burfict went out last week we couldn't stop Justin Forsett who's a nobody.

I like our running game to get on track this week. Dalton plays pretty well at home and he should have time to throw.

Honestly I think Julios numbers will be down this year if everyone stays healthy. You really cant cover him solo so that is going to open up a ton of shit for White, Douglas and Hester. Sleeper guy is Tololo, at his size he should have a great year too. I just hope our run game is decent enough to stop teams from loading up too muchto stop the pass. Last week it was real good in its limited carries.

 

[bengaldoug]

I think it will take 30+ to win this game. We need to finish off our drives this week and get over the goal line more than stopping to take fgs. Don't really think our defense is near where it's going to be later, and they are definitely vulnerable to the Falcon's wrs. Possible shootout in the offing......

 

[ATL96Steeler]

Well guys...I see quite a bit of both of these teams...I picked the hometown Falcons in the matchup but will chalk that up to wishful thinking mostly...wink, wink, PIT needs all the help they can get!

On the game...If Atkins is more comfortable now and say 80% of his preinjury game, and Burfict plays CIN has the better DEF no question there imo...ATL young CBs are better than what you might think, but no match for AJ...but I think ATL will keep a S over top of him and make him beat them 10-15 yds at a time.

Maybe, maybe not on Eifert, no M Jones, ATL imo has the better OFC...they just go much deeper @ WR, RB by committee, but all are effective and that kid #35 is fast.

ATL patch work OL played well last week, but is still suspect to me...I saw Crash's comment on much better than NO DEF...idk about much better, but the front 7 is better imo as well, the back 4 would be my concern as a Bengal fan vs ATL...If the CIN front 7 doesn't get Ryan thinking about them, ATL will put up 24+ pts I think and win. If they are getting to Ryan, CIN will win. This should be a good game.

 

[bengaldoug]

Well guys...I see quite a bit of both of these teams...I picked the hometown Falcons in the matchup but will chalk that up to wishful thinking mostly...wink, wink, PIT needs all the help they can get!
On the game...If Atkins is more comfortable now and say 80% of his preinjury game, and Burfict plays CIN has the better DEF no question there imo...ATL young CBs are better than what you might think, but no match for AJ...but I think ATL will keep a S over top of him and make him beat them 10-15 yds at a time.

Maybe, maybe not on Eifert, no M Jones, ATL imo has the better OFC...they just go much deeper @ WR, RB by committee, but all are effective and that kid #35 is fast.

ATL patch work OL played well last week, but is still suspect to me...I saw Crash's comment on much better than NO DEF...idk about much better, but the front 7 is better imo as well, the back 4 would be my concern as a Bengal fan vs ATL...If the CIN front 7 doesn't get Ryan thinking about them, ATL will put up 24+ pts I think and win. If they are getting to Ryan, CIN will win. This should be a good game.

For the same reason, I have to go with the Ratbirds tomorrow night. You understand, of course......

 

[JBUCK66]

I'd appreciate it if we didn't suck on 3rd down like last week

 

[ATL96Steeler]

For the same reason, I have to go with the Ratbirds tomorrow night. You understand, of course......

Totally!

On the other hand if PIT beats BAL tonight, and CIN beats them at home...3 DIV losses all but takes them out of the DIV race so almost a win win for you guys tonight.

 

[cincygrad]

I've got the Steelers wining tonight..... Bad mojo in the Ravens building right now. And they already seemed to be distracted last week!

One thing that I think will be different -- The game will be high scoring. This isn't your dad's 'Steelers/Ravens' slugfest.

 

[Cincyfan78]

Totally!

On the other hand if PIT beats BAL tonight, and CIN beats them at home...3 DIV losses all but takes them out of the DIV race so almost a win win for you guys tonight.

Yes, but it won't matter because the Bengals are gonig 6-0 in the AFCN!

LOL

 

[bengaldoug]

Totally!

On the other hand if PIT beats BAL tonight, and CIN beats them at home...3 DIV losses all but takes them out of the DIV race so almost a win win for you guys tonight.

Only problem with that is I'm not really worried about the Ravens this year. Bad mojo from the Rice situation, and we just beat them at their place without our best game. But if they can come up with one and beat the Steelers, then we have done something the Steelers haven't done, and with our overall history with the Steelers we need to oneup them before we play. I have the Steelers bouncing back strongly this year, I just love their offense, as long as they can keep their stoner running backs on the field.

 

[cincygrad]

Only problem with that is I'm not really worried about the Ravens this year. Bad mojo from the Rice situation, and we just beat them at their place without our best game. But if they can come up with one and beat the Steelers, then we have done something the Steelers haven't done, and with our overall history with the Steelers we need to oneup them before we play. I have the Steelers bouncing back strongly this year, I just love their offense, as long as they can keep their stoner running backs on the field.

I knew you were a Steeler fan..... Traitor!