I’m excited for next season...

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(04-07-2021, 10:42 AM)TJ528 Wrote: See i agree that I believe the Bengals are light years away from winning the AFC North.  Cleveland has a defense and an exciting young offense with a 2 headed monster running game and a OL that will pound you.  They have a competent front office (it only took them 20 years to get one) and assembled a good defense.  

The Ravens again not a huge fan of Jackson but the DC in Baltimore could run circles around Lou in his dreams when it comes to scheming and coaching a defense.  

There's still so many holes with this team.  Like last year if we have any injuries and we will have injuries they're screwed especially on the OL and DL, and WR and LB.  

Hopefully, Burrow can make it out of his 2nd season with a fully intact knee.  Doesnt matter if you have Chase or weapons if you dont have time. Also, if Taylor is going to have Burrow throw 50-60 times a game like last season then Burrows other knee doesnt stand a chance. 

Just trying to give you some optimism:

Others have posted on here that with the addition of average guards (XSF and Spain), the pass protection improved markedly and the Bengals won games with backup QBs.  The defense was largely awful, especially when WJIII was out injured...Sims was easy pickings.  They addressed the CB depth very well in FA and I don't think they are done yet.  I bet they add one more pass rusher.

That being said, I think it really boils down to the offense.  With an aforementioned stabilized line (and Reiff plus a draft pick will take it even further), a weapon like Chase, and Mixon back at full strength, I don't think there is any defense that could stymie the Bengals as we saw teams with depth at CB do last season.  Burrow in year 2 (look at what he did in year 2 at LSU) will have a better line, run game, and WR weapons.  

If you can put 30 on any team, your defense isn't relied upon to completely shut down the opposition just to stay in the game.  I believe that strongly in what Chase, the revised line, Frank Pollack, and a healthy Mixon can do this year.  

I get the skepticism, but remember, even Burrow noted that they had 200 yards passing at halftime against the best defense they saw all season before he was injured.  That was with the awful Jordan at LG, and no Joe Mixon.  They will be lethal this year with Chase, Reiff, a couple more draft picks, and a healthy Mixon.