(02-04-2022, 11:37 PM)Joelist Wrote: If you based everything on what these "analysts" say, the Rams are godlike beings and the Bengals are but gnats. It's actually kinda funny as they are WAY overselling the Rams, who barely got by SF courtesy of the 49ers dropping a 4th quarter INT right on the defenders hands. Then again, some of these same analysts oversold the Chiefs and the Titans too.

The reality is this game will likely be tight, really tight. The Bengals will hang right with the Rams and the key could easily be our D getting to Stafford, who may be great against the blitz but if you get real pressure on him he is not that good at all.

I don’t like Stafford and never have.


Honestly i see us winning by 2 scores. Burrow is gonna do good against their D period. This game will come down to how well the D plays. I just don’t feel like Stafford is THAT GUY. If he was Detroit would’ve had more success. He’s a great QB but he needs literally the best player in football and Jalen Ramsey and Von just to beat the 49ers. When Bates and Bell shut down that field on his ass he’s gonna fold like laundry .

(02-05-2022, 11:45 AM)Fan_in_Kettering Wrote: Even after the Bengals win the Super Bowl the sportscasters won’t put Cincinnati number one in the power rankings.

This^

Get used to it kids. It won’t go away even after we are SB champs, going into the offseason with more cap space than any other playoff team. Won’t be favorites next year as defending SB champs who IMPROVED in the offseason lmao gonna be funny to watch

The crazy thing is that we can only run about 60% of our offense due to this oline. 3 step drops only, no 5-7 drop concepts.

If we get the expected help this offseason our O should explode. Imagine Chase and Higgins given the opportunity at double moves and long post routes. Frees up TB underneath and the run game. I wish we could this game.

We pull this off against the Rams it will be an outstanding major feat, and next year we should be so much better even with a much tougher schedule.

I mainly watch NFL Network and avoid the others like espn. There are some jackasses on every network but NFL Network seems to show a lot of Bengals love and they are more balanced in their coverage of both teams.

All the media is fascinated by the Bengals....mainly because no one expected them to be here. Plus, Burrow and Chase have some many jaw dropping highlights.

But, they also are picking the RAMS. I get it. They're playing in their own stadium. They have dropped coin and draft capital on pro players from other teams. The Rams are from tinsel town, where media is a huge industry.

Sports media is all about controversy, which mirrors most news media! Consider it entertainment. Eliciting emotional responses (lie we're seeing here) is what they're all about.

All that said, interesting seeing that there are more people betting on the Bengals, but there's more money being bet on the Rams.

(02-05-2022, 12:40 PM)leonardfan40 Wrote: This^

Get used to it kids. It won’t go away even after we are SB champs, going into the offseason with more cap space than any other playoff team. Won’t be favorites next year as defending SB champs who IMPROVED in the offseason lmao gonna be funny to watch

I don’t care if they all rank the Bengals 32nd going in to next year just as long as they win this last game.

(02-04-2022, 11:37 PM)Joelist Wrote: If you based everything on what these "analysts" say, the Rams are godlike beings and the Bengals are but gnats. It's actually kinda funny as they are WAY overselling the Rams, who barely got by SF courtesy of the 49ers dropping a 4th quarter INT right on the defenders hands. Then again, some of these same analysts oversold the Chiefs and the Titans too.

The reality is this game will likely be tight, really tight. The Bengals will hang right with the Rams and the key could easily be our D getting to Stafford, who may be great against the blitz but if you get real pressure on him he is not that good at all.

Remember, it is all about growing their audience and LA is a "God like being" market and Cincy is a "gnat" like market....'


HOWEVER, there is something going on that I simply can't believe.  The BENGALS are becoming "America's Team".  No, they won't get Cowboy Fans to burn their stars, but they have a lot of folks that have planted their stake as fans of the Bengals.  

If I try to look at it objectively, it makes sense:

Burrow is incredibly likable.  Just the right amount of brash confidence with a quirky, unapologetic side (Sponge Bob, the Glasses, the Rock attire).  He is also playing at a HOF QB level in just his second season coming off a devastating knee injury.  People see how Burrow deals with adversity and they can't help but admire the guy and want to follow him.  He NEVER glares at a lineman after someone blows him up.  That's football, he believes.  No Brady-like whining after hits.  Folks don't see Burrow as a soccer-like flopper, but a tough SOB.  

Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, CJ Uzomah, Joe Mixon, Sam Hubbard, DJ Reader, Trey Hendrickson, Logan Wilson, BJ Hill, Germaine Pratt, Mike Hilton, Jesse Bates, Chido Awuzie, Even McPherson....they are ALL just such likable guys.  The coaches are even likable.  The press conferences aren't condescending speeches, but positive and grateful.  

This is my favorite Bengals team of all time.  I think the nation, with social media, and the unbelievable playoff run, are starting to take notice.

I don't really know why a lot of the nation is kind of anti-KC...I am a little tired of the damn State Farm ads, too, but it sure doesn't make me hate them.  Maybe the nation of fringe fans of any teams were just sick of the Chiefs always being in the AFC Title game?  Regardless, you could feel the ground swell of Bengals fans around the country.  There were a ton at that game!

Compared to the Rams, who aren't even in the same city as they were when Kurt Warner led the "Greatest Show on Turf".  I believe that even though their market is huge, I don't see their fan base as huge.  People in LA LOVE the USC Trojans...I don't know if the Rams have that level of love...

But this incredibly likable team is building a future fan base before our eyes and it is SO COOL to watch.  

I am not going to be "get off my lawn" guy and say that fans that didn't suffer through the 90s can't hop on the bandwagon.  The way I look at it, the more fans they have, the less likely they are to get screwed by the league officiating.  

Only a select few (Kay Adams) seem to really get from a National perspective, what an incredibly fun and likable team the Bengals are right now. 

(02-05-2022, 11:45 AM)Fan_in_Kettering Wrote: Even after the Bengals win the Super Bowl the sportscasters won’t put Cincinnati number one in the power rankings.

And that's ok. More people to prove wrong. It's actually fun!

(02-05-2022, 12:25 AM)leonardfan40 Wrote: I think a lot of it (besides just being reluctant to actually buy into the Bengals) is because of how overrated the NFC was all season. It looked for a long time like the NFC had 4-6 ELITE teams while the AFC had KC and a bunch of mediocre teams. The 2nd half of the season and the playoffs really showed that the NFC wasn’t all it was cracked up to be.

Rams went 5-4 over their last 9 games of the season. Cardinals tanked hard and didn’t even look like they deserved to be in the playoffs by the time the season ended. Cowboys we’re very hot and cold and choked again. 49ers had Garoppolo at QB. Eagles were right there with the Steelers for worst team in the playoffs, neither scared anybody and both make a good argument for the old 6 team playoff format.

For a long time it seemed like a forgone conclusion the NFC would have an easy path to another SB victory. After watching the way things ended, I’d say the Chiefs were more impressive than any of the NFC teams by the time the playoffs rolled around and we beat them twice. I’d also say the division winners in the AFC were playing as well if not better than the division winners in the NFC by the time the playoffs started.

I feel very good about our chances next weekend. I also love the disrespect, makes the victory that much more enjoyable!

True.  And before the playoffs, those wins were against the Jags, Cards, Seahawks, Vikings, and Ravens.  

I don't mean to sound overconfident, but they seem to have done what the Bucs did last year, which was turn it on right at the end of the season.  

They have some really good pieces, but they are not unbeatable.  It isn't a good match up for the Bengals where their strength is our weakness, but with two weeks to scheme it up, I  have faith in our coaches (did I just type that?  Yes, I did...they deserve it).

I think the AFC was MUCH tougher, with the Bills, Chiefs, Raiders, Chargers, Titans, and Colts. 

I can't wait.  This is crazy fun and I have a good feeling that Burrow is going to finish the job with a victory.  

(02-05-2022, 02:29 AM)CalgaryBengalsFan Wrote: NFL live has been really bad about it. They were interviewing Kelce about the Bengals defence, and he proceeded to talk about how godly Odell was most of the segment. Lol. I hope our boys break the main stream medias' hearts!

That is one thing I really have a lot of faith in is the Bengal's secondary.  If you can hold KC to 24 points, you can surely hold the Rams to that.  

I can't help but wonder the gameplan for the Rams.  It could be run-heavy.  Either way, it is going to be amazing.  

(02-05-2022, 01:01 PM)SHRacerX Wrote: That is one thing I really have a lot of faith in is the Bengal's secondary.  If you can hold KC to 24 points, you can surely hold the Rams to that.  

I can't help but wonder the gameplan for the Rams.  It could be run-heavy.  Either way, it is going to be amazing.  

I have to admit the only Rams game I have watched this year is the final with SF. How is the Rams run defense?

(02-05-2022, 12:36 PM)Housh Wrote: I don’t like Stafford and never have.


Honestly i see us winning by 2 scores. Burrow is gonna do good against their D period. This game will come down to how well the D plays. I just don’t feel like Stafford is THAT GUY. If he was Detroit would’ve had more success. He’s a great QB but he needs literally the best player in football and Jalen Ramsey and Von just to beat the 49ers. When Bates and Bell shut down that field on his ass he’s gonna fold like laundry .

This would be incredible.  It might be helpful to avoid any cardiac issues.  I have a strong heart, but MAN!  These last few weeks sure tested it!  

(02-05-2022, 12:43 PM)Clark W Griswold Wrote: I don’t care if they all rank the Bengals 32nd going in to next year just as long as they win this last game.

Exactly.  It isn't college.  The damn rankings don't mean a thing.  I would be surprised if the Bengals were even in the top 10 when the playoffs started.  

(02-05-2022, 01:02 PM)Sled21 Wrote: I have to admit the only Rams game I have watched this year is the final with SF. How is the Rams run defense?

They played it damn well against SF, but I don't think that is that impressive.   If you remember SF had less than 100 yards rushing against Cincy...the fumbles by Phillips were what cost them that game.

They gave up over 160 yards rushing to the Ravens and struggled with a mobile QB.  

The Cincy run game has been so predictable, though.  Wide runs looking for a cutback lane or get outside mixed in with runs right in to the pile up the middle.  I saw one run where Prince completely whiffed (like, didn't touch him) on a run in the red zone and his DE tackled Mixon for a no gain.  If he slowed down that defender at all, it would have been a huge gain.  It always seems like one guy misses a block and that is all it takes.

Given the extra week off, and Burrow's determination, I think we will see Joe scramble even more just to get 5-8 yards and get down.  That is an answer to them dropping 7 or 8 in to coverage.  Joe has great mobility to avoid one guy coming at him, but gets sacked when more than one guy breaks loose.  They need to tighten that up, for certain.  

(02-05-2022, 12:49 PM)SHRacerX Wrote: Remember, it is all about growing their audience and LA is a "God like being" market and Cincy is a "gnat" like market....'


HOWEVER, there is something going on that I simply can't believe.  The BENGALS are becoming "America's Team".  No, they won't get Cowboy Fans to burn their stars, but they have a lot of folks that have planted their stake as fans of the Bengals.  

If I try to look at it objectively, it makes sense:

Burrow is incredibly likable.  Just the right amount of brash confidence with a quirky, unapologetic side (Sponge Bob, the Glasses, the Rock attire).  He is also playing at a HOF QB level in just his second season coming off a devastating knee injury.  People see how Burrow deals with adversity and they can't help but admire the guy and want to follow him.  He NEVER glares at a lineman after someone blows him up.  That's football, he believes.  No Brady-like whining after hits.  Folks don't see Burrow as a soccer-like flopper, but a tough SOB.  

Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, Tyler Boyd, CJ Uzomah, Joe Mixon, Sam Hubbard, DJ Reader, Trey Hendrickson, Logan Wilson, BJ Hill, Germaine Pratt, Mike Hilton, Jesse Bates, Chido Awuzie, Even McPherson....they are ALL just such likable guys.  The coaches are even likable.  The press conferences aren't condescending speeches, but positive and grateful.  

This is my favorite Bengals team of all time.  I think the nation, with social media, and the unbelievable playoff run, are starting to take notice.

I don't really know why a lot of the nation is kind of anti-KC...I am a little tired of the damn State Farm ads, too, but it sure doesn't make me hate them.  Maybe the nation of fringe fans of any teams were just sick of the Chiefs always being in the AFC Title game?  Regardless, you could feel the ground swell of Bengals fans around the country.  There were a ton at that game!

Compared to the Rams, who aren't even in the same city as they were when Kurt Warner led the "Greatest Show on Turf".  I believe that even though their market is huge, I don't see their fan base as huge.  People in LA LOVE the USC Trojans...I don't know if the Rams have that level of love...

But this incredibly likable team is building a future fan base before our eyes and it is SO COOL to watch.  

I am not going to be "get off my lawn" guy and say that fans that didn't suffer through the 90s can't hop on the bandwagon.  The way I look at it, the more fans they have, the less likely they are to get screwed by the league officiating.  

Only a select few (Kay Adams) seem to really get from a National perspective, what an incredibly fun and likable team the Bengals are right now. 

Good post. When I think of some of our playoff teams of the recent past I pulled for them but it was hard to like a lot of the players. Andy was dull, Burfict and Jones were thuggish, AJ seemed to be hurt a lot, as was Tyler Eifert. 

But, like you said about this current team, they are all very likable. And they are really good. Yesterday I heard either Dan Hoard or Lap (don't remember which one) say that the Bills couldn't stop the Chiefs from scoring, but the Bengals kept them from scoring a TD in 8 straight drives.

It doesn't really bother me that the team isn't getting the pub that the Rams are. When I think about the beginning of the season how the Bengals were irrelevant but now they're all over TV and internet. I've even seen some Joe Burrow clickbait on line. "See the mansion Joe Burrow is living in" or something like that. LOL

We tend to have a chameleon type of game plan so maybe we try to be 49ers and use Chase like Deebo and obviously Taylor can trust Burrow more than Jimmy G.

(02-05-2022, 12:49 PM)Interceptor Wrote: And that's ok. More people to prove wrong. It's actually fun!

Some thought we wouldn't beat the Raiders.  Many thought we wouldn't beat the Titans.  Most thought we wouldn't beat the Chiefs.  Talking-head doubt is just grist for the mill with this team.  

(02-05-2022, 11:59 AM)pally Wrote: The Rams fans are complaining they are being treated like also runs by everyone but Florio who we know is blinded by his Steeler love. They are spreading the word that they are so much better than the Bengals that this treatment is insulting.  They are triggered by any mention of Kay Adams or Good Morning Bengals as they call GMFB.  I guess it is all a matter of perspective

That's funny because the coverage of the Rams has been positively fawning. What do they need to not feel insulted - analysts sacrificing animals to them?

(02-05-2022, 12:41 PM)Clark W Griswold Wrote: I mainly watch NFL Network and avoid the others like espn. There are some jackasses on every network but NFL Network seems to show a lot of Bengals love and they are more balanced in their coverage of both teams.

I think a lot of people are just hearing what they want to hear.

I listen to a lot of ESPN radio in my car and they seem pretty reasonable.  Most of them agree that they think the Rams should be favorites, but there are A LOT of analysts who love Burrow and Chase and give the Bengals a lot of love.  Even the sportsbooks have only made it a 4 point line.  I really don't see us being disrespected that much.

Almost no one I have heard has predicted a Rams blowout.  But I don't listen to any of the "screamers" who take extreme positions just to stir the pot.

A lot of Bengal fans are just hypersensitive to ANY criticism.  I think the Bengals have a great chance to win, but I also understand why the Rams are a slight favorite.

(02-05-2022, 01:02 PM)Sled21 Wrote: I have to admit the only Rams game I have watched this year is the final with SF. How is the Rams run defense?

Niners had the game in hand and choked when it mattered most.