I thought it would be more fun than just a score prediction to guess three positive things and three negative things that will happen Sunday against pitt.

3 Positives:

1.) Tyler Boyd- I think the steelers will continue to let their LBs try to cover slot WRs. Big mistake. I think Boyd has a career day. Being from pitt, I know this game will mean a lot to him. I think Burrow takes the matchup and just keeps going to him.

2.) Drew Sample- The Bengals need him to come up big and he not only blocks well, but has a big day as a receiver. The Bengals will need to get the ball out quickly and those TE screens could come in handy.

3.) WJIII- I have a feeling that Jackson is due for a big game, perhaps an INT as well as shutting down their top WR. The question is, who will that be? Do you have him cover JJSS or Claypool? Piggy targeted Claypool 13 times against Dallas.

3 Negatives:

1.) Darius Phillips- He has seemingly regressed since his blitz-heavy game against Baltimore. Whichever WR he covers, will likely have a big day.

2.) ADG- He seems a little slow to recognize certain misdirection plays, something pitt likes to run a lot of. I could see a scenario where it is 3rd or 4th and 1, and the steelers hand the ball off to Claypool on a fet sweep and he beats ADG to the edge and has a big run

3.) Joe Mixon/Gio Bernard- The steelers have a great middle of the defensive front, and it you try to get outside, they're LBs are very fast. I don't see a big day for the rushing attack, but I do hope they run enough to keep the steelers from pinning their ears back.

Bengals 31
steelers 28

I just have a feeling that Burrow will be able to move the ball and the defense will rise up and get a couple key stops and perhaps a takeaway or two. There is nothing logical that would say Cincy will win this game. I just have a feeling.

In the smack forum, I predicted the Bengals to win. I know there's no reason to think so, but I just have this feeling. While my first thought is that it's going to be a shootout ('cause our D sucks) but I'm actully thinking it's going to be a low scoring affair. Our D will show up and the Steelers will confound Burrow for most of the game, but Joey B will get the go ahead TD in the 4th QTR to win the game for the good guys.

3 good:

1- Burrow plays well hitting Boyd and company routinely.

2- Logan Wilson has a great day on Defense.

3- Brandon Wilson has a big Return to set up a TD.

3 bad:

1- Pitt runs all over us

2- We have no pass rush

3- We lose in a close one.

(11-10-2020, 04:25 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: 3 good:

1- Burrow plays well hitting Boyd and company routinely.

2- Logan Wilson has a great day on Defense.

3- Brandon Wilson has a big Return to set up a TD.

3 bad:

1- Pitt runs all over us

2- We have no pass rush

3- We lose in a close one.

Love your positives, and although I think two of the three bad could be true, I have a feeling the Bengals win this one.  WIth Burrow playing the way he is, without their defense giving them so many possessions, all it would take is a couple stops and maybe a turnover.  I am putting a lot of faith in Burrow against the leagues toughest defense, but I believe in the kid that much.  And he is making others around him better.  

(11-10-2020, 05:02 PM)SHRacerX Wrote: Love your positives, and although I think two of the three bad could be true, I have a feeling the Bengals win this one.  WIth Burrow playing the way he is, without their defense giving them so many possessions, all it would take is a couple stops and maybe a turnover.  I am putting a lot of faith in Burrow against the leagues toughest defense, but I believe in the kid that much.  And he is making others around him better.  

Hey, Burrow also has had a lot of time to study that Defense. This could give us a distinct advantage especially if we can get a
Turnover or two. If we can run the ball I think we can win, but that is a big if. Mixon could be fresh and watching Gio play well
in his absence could of lit a fire in him. We will see.

(11-10-2020, 05:07 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Hey, Burrow also has had a lot of time to study that Defense. This could give us a distinct advantage especially if we can get a
Turnover or two. If we can run the ball I think we can win, but that is a big if. Mixon could be fresh and watching Gio play well
in his absence could of lit a fire in him. We will see.

Good point.  Haven't heard any update about Mixon, but at least I believe Hubbard will be back, and I would imagine he is tired of hearing about TJ Watt.  

(11-11-2020, 10:08 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: Good point.  Haven't heard any update about Mixon, but at least I believe Hubbard will be back, and I would imagine he is tired of hearing about TJ Watt.  

True that. Came into the league same year and not many talk about Hubbard even though he is arguably a better player.

Definitely more versatile, just hope that arm injury doesn't linger.

Sam when healthy really gives the D a lift.

(11-11-2020, 03:25 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: True that. Came into the league same year and not many talk about Hubbard even though he is arguably a better player.

Definitely more versatile, just hope that arm injury doesn't linger.

Sam when healthy really gives the D a lift.

I can't help but think some of Watt's success is why they are looking at Hubbard for that role here.  

(11-10-2020, 11:26 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: I thought it would be more fun than just a score prediction to guess three positive things and three negative things that will happen Sunday against pitt.

3 Positives:

1.) Tyler Boyd-  I think the steelers will continue to let their LBs try to cover slot WRs.  Big mistake.  I think Boyd has a career day.  Being from pitt, I know this game will mean a lot to him.  I think Burrow takes the matchup and just keeps going to him.

2.) Drew Sample-  The Bengals need him to come up big and he not only blocks well, but has a big day as a receiver.  The Bengals will need to get the ball out quickly and those TE screens could come in handy.

3.) WJIII- I have a feeling that Jackson is due for a big game, perhaps an INT as well as shutting down their top WR.  The question is, who will that be?  Do you have him cover JJSS or Claypool?  Piggy targeted Claypool 13 times against Dallas.

3 Negatives:

1.) Darius Phillips- He has seemingly regressed since his blitz-heavy game against Baltimore.  Whichever WR he covers, will likely have a big day.

2.) ADG- He seems a little slow to recognize certain misdirection plays, something pitt likes to run a lot of.  I could see a scenario where it is 3rd or 4th and 1, and the steelers hand the ball off to Claypool on a fet sweep and he beats ADG to the edge and has a big run

3.) Joe Mixon/Gio Bernard-  The steelers have a great middle of the defensive front, and it you try to get outside, they're LBs are very fast.  I don't see a big day for the rushing attack, but I do hope they run enough to keep the steelers from pinning their ears back.  

Bengals 31
steelers 28

I just have a feeling that Burrow will be able to move the ball and the defense will rise up and get a couple key stops and perhaps a takeaway or two. There is nothing logical that would say Cincy will win this game.   I just have a feeling.

Negatives:
1) OL gives up 5+ sacks
2) Bengals will have less than 100 yards rushing
3) Bengals will allow 200+ yards rushing

Positives:
1) One receiver will have 100+ yards. Not sure who though
2) Bengals will get at least one turnover on defense
3) Spain will either start or come in partway through the game and play well, solidifying himself as a starting OG for the remainder of the season

Bengals - 24
Steelers - 35

(11-11-2020, 03:34 PM)SHRacerX Wrote: I can't help but think some of Watt's success is why they are looking at Hubbard for that role here.  

Hubbard is more of a tweener cause he can play nearly all the positions on Defense and can even play Full Back on Offense.

I just don't think he has had a good DC since he has came into the league. I cannot imagine what a guy like Zim could do with him.

I think Phillips' regression is because he really is not suited to play outside, but has been forced to because of injuries. He's 5'10" 190 lb. This guy will never be able to properly cover deep corner or fade routes because he'll simply be jumped over. He is at his best when he's allowed to play in space and the routes he's running against are coming inside like slants, ins and crossers. That's where his speed and nose for the ball really shine. On the outside, he just has too many weaknesses to really hope to play well. Look at the second Browns game as an example of this. He had a pick on a poorly thrown ball where he adjusted to the ball better than freaking OBJ...but then struggles to cover deep passes and jumps balls, as you would expect.

(11-11-2020, 03:25 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: True that. Came into the league same year and not many talk about Hubbard even though he is arguably a better player.

Definitely more versatile, just hope that arm injury doesn't linger.

Sam when healthy really gives the D a lift.

Watt is a sack specialist.
41.5 sacks in 55 games (0.75 sack per game)
Watt's also had double-digit TFLs every season.

Hubbard only has 15.5 sacks in 36 games (0.43 sack per game)
Only 1 season with double-digit TFLs.
So he's not really on Watt's level.

Hubbard's best season (2019) looks most closely to Watt's rookie year.
Watt 2017 - 7.0 sack, 10 TFL, 13 QB hits
Hubbard 2019 - 8.5 sack, 7 TFL, 13 QB hits
Hubbard had 22 more tackles though

If Burrow can stay healthy and not get injured by Shitsburgh dirty playing...... I'll consider that a win.

Go check the message board of any team that has an upcoming game against a team they shouldn’t beat. At least one person always has a feeling he can’t explain, but he thinks they are going to pull off a win. That guy’s feeling is almost always wrong.

(11-11-2020, 09:47 PM)michaelsean Wrote: Go check the message board of any team that has an upcoming game against a team they shouldn’t beat. At least one person always has a feeling he can’t explain, but he thinks they are going to pull off a win. That guy’s feeling is almost always wrong.

I've got a feeling we could see the Baltimore game part deux this week. Don't think Pittsburgh didn't take note that you can blitz the shit outta our O line. That Tennessee win knocked a lil stank off this season, and we're feeling pretty good as fans right now, but the team that always seems to have our number is up next.

(11-11-2020, 11:04 PM)jason Wrote: I've got a feeling we could see the Baltimore game part deux this week. Don't think Pittsburgh didn't take note that you can blitz the shit outta our O line. That Tennessee win knocked a lil stank off this season, and we're feeling pretty good as fans right now, but the team that always seems to have our number is up next.

Yup

(11-11-2020, 11:06 PM)michaelsean Wrote: Yup

I'd love to be wrong... Especially since I just traded Tyler Lockett for Burrow in my fantasy league.

(11-11-2020, 03:52 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Negatives:
1) OL gives up 5+ sacks
2) Bengals will have less than 100 yards rushing
3) Bengals will allow 200+ yards rushing

Positives:
1) One receiver will have 100+ yards. Not sure who though
2) Bengals will get at least one turnover on defense
3) Spain will either start or come in partway through the game and play well, solidifying himself as a starting OG for the remainder of the season

Bengals - 24
Steelers - 35

Ouch...not much optimism from you, eh bud?  Allow 200-plus yards rushing?  I am sure hoping for a better effort coming off the bye.  I get why you feel this way based on recent history. 

(11-11-2020, 07:19 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Watt is a sack specialist.
41.5 sacks in 55 games (0.75 sack per game)
Watt's also had double-digit TFLs every season.

Hubbard only has 15.5 sacks in 36 games (0.43 sack per game)
Only 1 season with double-digit TFLs.
So he's not really on Watt's level.

Hubbard's best season (2019) looks most closely to Watt's rookie year.
Watt 2017 - 7.0 sack, 10 TFL, 13 QB hits
Hubbard 2019 - 8.5 sack, 7 TFL, 13 QB hits
Hubbard had 22 more tackles though

The one thing that really makes Watt is the players that are on the line with him.  Hubbard had a solid 2019 because Dunlap played well the back half and Geno was playing well.  

(11-12-2020, 09:57 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: Ouch...not much optimism from you, eh bud?  Allow 200-plus yards rushing?  I am sure hoping for a better effort coming off the bye.  I get why you feel this way based on recent history. 

Well the Bengals did allow 218 just last game, and I think the Steelers will run it a lot against the team who has bad run defense.