(11-28-2017, 03:54 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: Is the answer to that question ever "no"?  

Just a great name and some cruel parents.

(11-27-2017, 10:12 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: Nobody gets excited by the Bengals at this point, but they're quietly rounding into form, especially on offense. The Andrew Whitworth-less offensive line was a disaster early in the season, and I'm still not sure I trust Cedric Ogbuehi at left tackle, but this passing game might have turned the corner. Let's look at two anonymous quarterbacks and how they've performed since Week 8:

Player               Gms   Cmp   Att   Cmp%   Yds   Y/Att   TD   INT   Rating
Quarterback A      5      80    135    59.3     1025  7.6      9     0      104.9
Quarterback C      4      70    122    57.4       805  6.6     11    1      104.0

He has played one additional game, but Quarterback A -- Andy Dalton -- has put up similar rate statistics to Quarterback C, who is Eagles quarterback Carson Wentz. Wentz's Total QBR has been significantly better, but if you're in the same neighborhood of raw statistics as the guy who has been solidifying his MVP candidacy, you're doing something right. Dalton also has played the Broncos and Jaguars over that stretch, so it hasn't all been against Browns-level opposition, either.

The offense might not need to contribute all that much, either. The Bengals' defense ranked 12th in DVOA heading into this week's game against the Browns, which saw them allow 405 yards while holding DeShone Kizer & Co. to 16 points. Cleveland was one of the reasons why the Bengals had the easiest remaining slate of opposing offenses heading into the week; after the Steelers next week, the Bengals finish up with the Bears, Vikings, Lions and Ravens.

Crucially, the Cincinnati defense is getting healthy, which could come in handy in December. The only starter it missed against the Browns was safety Shawn Williams, with Adam Jones and depth corner Darqueze Dennard returning to the fold. The Bengals did lose linebacker Nick Vigil during the game with an ankle injury, but they are capable of getting by with Kevin Minter and Vontaze Burfict as their linebackers in the nickel.

Cincinnati's season might very well come down to what the Bengals do against the Steelers next week and whether they can beat the Ravens in Week 17. The New York Times suggests that Bengals victories in both games would bump their playoff chances from 9 percent to 43 percent. Given how inconsistent both those teams are from week to week, it's hardly out of the question to peg Cincinnati as a surprise candidate to soar up the ranks.

http://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/page/Barnwellx171127/ranking-11-nfl-teams-2017-playoff-picture-sneak-field

Who misses out: The Ravens would be the obvious pick to drop out of the playoff picture if the Bengals sneak in. Cincinnati also holds a head-to-head win over the Bills, which would come in handy as a tiebreaker.

(11-28-2017, 07:51 PM)sandwedge Wrote: I think last year showed me more about Andy. In 2015 he was on his way to possibly the MVP till he broke his hand. Last year he had Green for a little more than half the season, same with Eifert and absolutely no running game, crappy line and he kept this team together and put up pretty damn good numbers. It's more the same this year, maybe not the numbers but play gritty good football at the moment. Sure, he's not elite and is prone to being a bonehead at times.

(11-28-2017, 02:04 AM)BFritz21 Wrote: Didn't I see you making negative statements in another thread?

A few weeks ago, I might agree with you, but the line is playing better and Mixon looks like he's going to be a very dangerous weapon.  

Our pass rush looks like it's only getting stronger and Lazor looks like he's getting better and better at utilizing our weapons.  

We look like we're finally playing inspired football right now and there's no reason why we can't get a wild card spot in the playoffs.

The Steelers looked very beatable today, and there's no reason that we shouldn't be favored in every other game on the schedule with the exception of the Vikings, who we could still beat.

We could very easily only lose one more game and make the playoffs, or lose two and still possibly get in.

(11-28-2017, 10:46 PM)Jakeypoo Wrote: Again we're not making the playoffs.

(11-28-2017, 11:41 PM)reuben.ahmed Wrote: yea but aj mcarrron would have had 40 TDs the last 4 games

(11-28-2017, 10:37 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: You know...it's just criminal that the Bengals haven't addressed the Center position for the past decade. Just imagine what Dalton would do if we had a consistent running game.

That's why I say we're mismanaged. We need that extra 1 or 2 free agents that will put us over the top.

I don't advocate building an entire team through free agency...just 1 or 2 upgrades.

(11-28-2017, 11:41 PM)reuben.ahmed Wrote: yea but aj mcarrron would have had 40 TDs the last 4 games

(11-29-2017, 06:29 AM)Socal Bengals fan Wrote: Andy will go zero touchdowns get sacked 6 times n have 3 picks against the Steelers this week. that should put this thread to bed until he plays another winless team n throws 2 tds again.

(11-29-2017, 06:29 AM)Socal Bengals fan Wrote: Andy will go zero touchdowns get sacked 6 times n have 3 picks against the Steelers this week. that should put this thread to bed until he plays another winless team n throws 2 tds again.

(11-29-2017, 07:40 AM)Nicomo Cosca Wrote: I do want to see how he does against the Steelers and Vikings before we we start building his statue...

(11-28-2017, 07:51 PM)sandwedge Wrote: I think last year showed me more about Andy. In 2015 he was on his way to possibly the MVP till he broke his hand. Last year he had Green for a little more than half the season, same with Eifert and absolutely no running game, crappy line and he kept this team together and put up pretty damn good numbers. It's more the same this year, maybe not the numbers but play gritty good football at the moment. Sure, he's not elite and is prone to being a bonehead at times.

(11-28-2017, 03:58 PM)Wyche Wrote: I remember when he raced and Dan Patrick and Keith Olberman used to have a blast with his name.  Although Dick never won a Winston Cup race (won over 1000 short track features, ASA and USAC events, and a few Busch Series wins), they would ALWAYS make a point to tell where Trickle finished....even if it was dead last.


I also recall the joke about Jeff Gordon's "milk mustache" commercial, and what it actually was.....

(11-28-2017, 10:37 PM)THE PISTONS Wrote: You know...it's just criminal that the Bengals haven't addressed the Center position for the past decade. Just imagine what Dalton would do if we had a consistent running game.

That's why I say we're mismanaged. We need that extra 1 or 2 free agents that will put us over the top.

I don't advocate building an entire team through free agency...just 1 or 2 upgrades.