It's hard to believe he will ever play a game in a Bengals uniform again. He will be a FA, is bordering on 30 years old, and will most likely miss AT LEAST half the year next year.

DJ Reader was one of the guys that really helped turn this thing around. He's been here from the beginning, saw some trash years, and helped get us over the hump. He is easily one of the best free agent signings the Bengals have ever had.

Thank you DJ and good luck with the rest of your career. Hopefully you can recover from the injury and be a productive player for many more years.

That being said, DT is at the top of this teams needs for next year. Hopefully they bring in someone(s) via free agency to replace DJ.

As of 12/18 , here's how it stands . Chances of making the playoffs :

Baltimore .....   >99%

KC.....   >99%

Miami ..... 98%

Cleveland..... 88%

Jacksonville..... 75%

Buffalo.....   71%

Houston.....  55%

Indy.....  53%

Cincinnati ..... 35%

Denver..... 21%

Pittsburgh..... 3%

Las Vegas.....1%

San Diego  ..... <1%

* NY Jets.....   0%  

*New England..... 0%

* Eliminated from playoff contention

What a relief. I was looking ahead on my cable guide. I was looking at CBS or FOX or ESPN. NFL Network showed replay of the game at 3 in morning. It was looking like some Saturday Games were only on a thing called Peacock. I assumed more pay per view as Thursday Night Football. So glad to see it is on NBC in Dayton and Springfield Ohio area, which is BENGALS COUNTRY also.

So glad the game is on and Pay Per View isn't ruining the Bengals vs Steelers game Christmas Weekend. The Bills game looks like on Peacock only that night, but at least they didn't play The Grinch with our Bengals vs Steelers game. I really didn't want to watch the replay on NFL Network from 3 to 6 am, a rough way to start Christmas Eve the 24th. So glad the game is on at 4:30 Saturday afternoon on regular NBC. It's not just another game, it is Bengals vs Steelers. Rival Game with winner being in Wild Card spot in play-offs and loser not so good on play-offs.

GO BENGALS

Where is it?

We all love Burrow. He is our Franchise QB - probably for the next decade.

But - anyone else wondering why Burrow has been so eerily silent about Browning’s very impressive success and even setting a few records along the way?

All sorts of players are all over interviews or social media posting up pro-Jake love, compliments and support.

A few of his teammates have been gushing all over him at times.

Shouldn’t the leader of this team be one of the most vocal supporters?

I haven’t seen one clip of anything positive stated or posted about Jake by Burrow. I haven’t seen a ton of love on the sidelines either.

It all seems a little strange by the team’s leader.

Highest PFF grades from the win over the Vikings

Offense
1) Browning, 80.8
2) Hudson, 80.1
3) Volson, 77.2
4) Higgins, 74.5
5) J. Williams, 70.8
* Wilcox with 17 snaps got a 87.4

Defense
1) Hilton, 92.8
2) Pratt, 92.0
3) Murphy, 74.1
4) Battle, 68.2
5) Carter, 66.5
* Sample on…

— Der German Tiger? (@DerGermanTiger) December 17, 2023

With still four weeks in the regular season for most teams, there are still some outlandish playoff scenarios. I think I'm addicted to to that playoff simulator thingy. lol

A couple of fun ones:

A 11-win Bengals team could travel to Vegas to play a 9-win Raiders team in a rematch of the '21 game. Of course, this requires us to win out, the Chiefs to lose out, and the Raiders to win out.

The Bengals could still grab the #1 seed. This would , of course, require the Bengals winning out, the Ravens losing out, the Dolphins to lose three of four, and the Browns to lose a couple.

I LOVE this time of year!!! Thanks, QB6 !!!


What are some of favorite wild scenarios?

A month ago, before Pittsburgh, I started a thread asking who was going to step up in Joe's absence and put the team on their shoulders. After that game the collective answer was nobody. I think in the ensuing 3 weeks we have some better answers.
.
The easiest and obvious answer is Jake Browning.

Who else deserves some kudos for their play or leadership?

Seems like our TEs are becoming more involved under Browning, 17 catches last three games and yesterday 9 catches total for around 90 yards..

I've seen alot of big time TD catches by Bengals
WRs that either tied a game or was a game winner
Carl Pickens vs the Steelers
Carl Pickens opening day vs Arizona
Peter Warrick vs the Chiefs
Jamar Chase vs the Ravens
Jamar Chase playoff game vs the Chiefs

But that Tee Higgins catch to tie
The game had to be the most clutch
Improbable catch I've ever seen in
A Bengals game
How many other NFL WRs could have did
What Tee Higgins did?
Jefferson ....Chase....Sutton maybe?

https://youtu.be/I-DsYv0D06o?si=6lT1k3RkokDTV0VJ