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Cincinnati Bengals (Same Ole Bengals)

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This article is what I have been thinking. It's not yet time to panic about Bengals, but Sunday's game against Jets is a must-win | Opinion (msn.com)

"Remember, the Bengals were sluggish out of the gate last season. The first two games of 2021 were both decided by three points – just like this season. The difference is the Bengals were able to salvage one of the first two games last year, defeating Minnesota in overtime in the opener."

They should have won the Steelers game and should be 1-1, but for a fluke injury to the long snapper. Also note that had they lost the Vikings game, they (edit) would have ended last season 1/2 game ahead the Steelers and division champs if they had played Burrow and beaten a dilapidated Browns team in the last regular season game.

"Comparing the first few weeks of 2021 and 2022 is relevant because slow offensive starts have been a trend during Zac Taylor’s coaching tenure with the Bengals. The Bengals are not doing a good enough job preparing for the season in training camp and preseason games."

That right there. Zac = liability in many ways, especially in season prep. We got proven quality O-Linemen and I think we should go a different direction in coaching of the team and the OLine. They seem to be serious about winning now, given the great expense in FA in the offseason. If the Bengals miss the playoffs this year (hopefully with Joe unscathed and taking a lot less abuse) we'll see what they do with the coaching staff. Then Zac can go coach Nebraska.

(Edit) Oh, crap, I just remembered they extended Zac. Buy him out if they can I guess..
 
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wolves2002 said:
There is a reason the Cowboys released La'el Collins and took a dead cap hit of over $13 million.
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There obviously is at this point, he's been outright terrible so far. To the point where if he is as apathetic and undisciplined as he has been the first two weeks, I wouldn't just bench him, I would cut him. I wanted to be optimistic and think the Cowboys only let him go because the guy that replaced him while injured did really well and they could save the money. Turns out Collins isn't worth nearly what he cost.
 
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Bengals are on a mission today. It could easily better even better for the Bengals without Chase's fumble. More like 27-3, or so.

Does the NFL not have a targeting rule any longer? Higgins might have another concussion because of a reckless hit by the Jets' #25. Is that the gameplan against the Bengals now - knock our WR's out so Burrow has no one to throw to?
 
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Zem said:
Bengals are on a mission today. It could easily better even better for the Bengals without Chase's fumble. More like 27-3, or so.

Does the NFL not have a targeting rule any longer? Higgins might have another concussion because of a reckless hit by the Jets' #25. Is that the gameplan against the Bengals now - knock our WR's out so Burrow has no one to throw to?
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They never did. Which is ridiculous considering some of these helmet to helmet shots these players get away with. Granted, most of those hits get fined, and I imagine that hit from Joyner will absolutely be fined.
 
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Zem said:
The bootleg kneel down by Burrow on 1st down and over 3 minutes remaining has me scratching my head. Why not keep marching forward..
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I think it was one of those situations where if they overcommit to the run they ran 7 straight times before, it gives them another opportunity to continue moving the ball. If they contain the QB, nothing really lost. And the key to that drive was to melt away as much clock as possible. They had to have seen something to at least attempt that. The play calling was overall considerably better, outside of the series where they took over at their own 11 with 59 seconds and 1 TO, and attempted three passes with zero success. I’d understand trying to go for more points with 3 TOs, but with only one it didn’t make much sense.
 
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I think Burrow has made better decisions these last 6 quarters, since knocking the rust off. He's scrambling and finding open WR's on improvisation, throwing it away when necessary. Actually, I only remember one throw-away - the one at Mixon's feet, but that's progress. He always thinks he can complete a pass, and who could blame him with the WR's he is throwing to.

Hendrickson is evolving into one of the best edge rushers, I believe.

Handing off to Chase on 4th and 1 seemed pretty dumb, given the game's context with the Jets stuffing our run. If that's the best play available for a 4th and 1 just kick the field goal to make the score 30 - 9, sheesh. Maybe he could have gained a yard if he had turned it inside but it looked iffy.

I realize Gastineau wasn't on the field, but I'm happy with the OLine yesterday.
 
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Zem said:
I think Burrow has made better decisions these last 6 quarters, since knocking the rust off. He's scrambling and finding open WR's on improvisation, throwing it away when necessary. Actually, I only remember one throw-away - the one at Mixon's feet, but that's progress. He always thinks he can complete a pass, and who could blame him with the WR's he is throwing to.

Hendrickson is evolving into one of the best edge rushers, I believe.

Handing off to Chase on 4th and 1 seemed pretty dumb, given the game's context with the Jets stuffing our run. If that's the best play available for a 4th and 1 just kick the field goal to make the score 30 - 9, sheesh. Maybe he could have gained a yard if he had turned it inside but it looked iffy.

I realize Gastineau wasn't on the field, but I'm happy with the OLine yesterday.
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My first thought is Burrow looked right back to himself, dipping the shoulder to avoid the rush and getting loose from the pocket, loved seeing that because we need him back in the 2021 spirit. No mental mistakes this game and seemed to trust the blocking scheme.

Hendrickson is an absolute monster, not only does the shed his blocks quickly but he finishes and gets home damn near every time. Mark my words, Hendrickson is going to get way more attention and then you'll see Hubbard start racking up sacks and tackles soon.

The Chase handoff was especially dumb because they ran it to the short side of the field...if you are running that, go to the other side wtf. But that said, they should have either ran with Mixon to prove we can get the tough yard, or kick the field goal. We didn't need the first down really as you said with the score, but I viewed it as going for it for a confidence booster...which would only be needed for the run game with Mixon, not an end-around to Chase.

Also happy with the OL play, but to me the scheme seemed a bigger improvement that individual play (from a laymen's perspective, though I will admit Collins looked markedly better). We kept an extra blocker in to help out and chip on many plays, and it seemed to hold up well. You obviously hope your 5 OL can man the fort and get the job done, but when it isn't working early in the season you swallow your medicine and go with an extra blocker to make it work. Honestly, that adjustment alone would probably make us 3-0 right now as opposed to 1-2. My view is we can do that same thing quite often when you have Chase, Higgins and Boyd to throw to (and Hurst or Mixon, depending on who we keep in to block). Or at least use it as training wheels until this OL can get synchronized. I think we need to stick with the same scheme on Thursday night, Miami likes to blitz and their defense looks awfully good.

On defense, we should be damn proud of that performance. I get that the Jets are not world beaters on offense, but they are much improved from last year. Bell looks like a pro bowler this season, Awuzie is a legit lockdown #1 CB, and Bates made some plays, I feel good with the secondary. Wilson and Pratt look great at LB. The DL looks good as well, not surprised but there are some younger guys looking promising. And Reader is playing some of his best football since coming here. We will see where we really are at on defense on Thursday though, the Dolphins are no joke on offense...Waddle and Hill are both a nightmare to defend, and Tua is playing his best ball right now and is tough to get to the ground with his scrambling ability. I think Awuzie gets Hill and can hold his own, but I worry about Waddle because I'm not sure we have a real #2 CB...Apple is looking like burnt toast again and Hilton is a slot corner, so not really sure we have an answer there. Miami is much, much better than the Steelers, Cowboys and Jets on offense, so we'll see how we hold up with a real offense.

All in all, we won the game and looked much more like the team from last year. We have a very tough game against the Dolphins with a short turnaround time...but I think the short week benefits us, as we don't have any lingering injuries that I am aware of and I would hate to have to come off from that battle with the Bills and play on a Thursday on the road. Read the reports on Higgins, Mixon and Pratt, all look good to go. Not saying that means we'll win, but I would favor Cincy in this one.
 
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