Division Race

[*rfaulk34*]

(12-17-2021, 09:39 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: I get it, man, but I don't consider it blind faith.  Here's why:

Before the Chargers game, the Bengals went on the road and won by three scores at Vegas facing a team very much in the playoff hunt. 

The game after that, they absolutely MAULED the steelers, who had TJ Watt, sending the pig to the bacon factory for good.  

The Chargers game showed they could come back from a 24 point deficit and be in position to take the lead.  This, despite a sure TD by Chase that was bobbled in to an INT.  Then, as they were driving, Mixon gives the Chargers a bigger gift with a fumble that is returned for a TD.

The 49ers game showed the same comeback ability, forcing overtime against a team with a great pass rush that had built a two score lead on you as well.  Again, largely aided by two horrible fumbles by Phillips, that gave SF great field position (both times) after the defense had forced a punt (both times).  If Joe Burrow can bring them back from 24 points down against the Chargers and 14 down in the 4th quarter against the 49ers, then imagine what he will do if the team stops blowing holes in their own foot?

I see those 4 turnovers as anomalies, not the standard.  They will tighten things up and beat Denver.  They will come very close to locking up the division by beating Baltimore.  And then I believe they will upset the Chiefs and lock down the AFC North.  

Blind faith wasn't the right word for me to use. Misguided faith might be better. Everything you typed is what caused me to go over the edge. They win early in Pitt and Balt (some things they don't do often), played GB to the wire early. Then, when 1st place is on the line, late in the season, they play 2 winnable games at home and drop them both. Not really being out-played, but botching both games for one reason or the other...or several reasons actually. Those comebacks don't mean much to me when they fall short. It's always something with this team.

You see progress. I see the same ole thing. "IF" they wouldn't/would have only done...

I'm done with that shit. When this team actually starts to win games like the 2 they just played to get them in the division lead and they then go to and win a playoff game...maybe then i'll start to pay more attention again. Until then, i'm done with the "we're that close" narrative. Game after game, year after year, it's always "just that close...almost...if they fix...". Fix one thing, something else pops up to bite them. 

Nope. No faith or belief in this team whatsoever, until they actually do it.