(07-28-2018, 10:05 AM)grampahol Wrote: Before they win the SB they'll have to overcome a lot including, but not limited to the many conspiracy theories that say only the league designated teams ever get to even go to the show much less win it..  I lean towards the league is fixed side, but fans are free to believe whatever they like.  

(07-28-2018, 10:07 AM)Bengalbug Wrote: So the league passed on having a home team host the Super Bowl?

And if you think for a second they wanted a backup an in the Super Bowl you are out of your mind

(07-28-2018, 10:12 AM)grampahol Wrote: That adds a level of diniability.. See? It worked on you.. lol

(07-28-2018, 10:32 AM)grampahol Wrote: Back to conspiracy theoryville for a second (I'm not trying to hijack the thread ) I follow Brian Tuohy because he connects the dots with this stuff instead of making completely baseless accusations which isn't to say there aren't plenty of crackpot theories out there . Indeed there are probably more baseless conspiracy theories online against the league than for the league, but Brian backs his stuff up and is willing to take the heat. Most of the accusations online just throw out some trash nonsense based on one or two games. Brian has tracked the dirty deeds for many years even back to the league beginnings.. 

(07-28-2018, 11:31 AM)Nately120 Wrote: Why would anyone give a toss about opening at home after waiting on pins and needles for opening at home in 2017?

(07-28-2018, 11:31 AM)Nately120 Wrote: Why would anyone give a toss about opening at home after waiting on pins and needles for opening at home in 2017?

(07-28-2018, 12:31 PM)grampahol Wrote: But, but, but ,but fans got to see them opening at home which was much more important than actually winning n stuff..  
So the question begs.. Would you rather see them open at home and play like the little sisters of the poor OR open on the road and mop the floor with any opponent? 
Tough one , huh?

(07-28-2018, 09:49 AM)Daddy-O Wrote: To me it's like who really cares?  Maybe the fans but I doubt the players.

Every team gets 8 home and 8 away games.  The goal is to win as many of those games as possible to qualify for the post-season.  Irregardless of whether you open or close at home the goal is still the same.  Heck, if I were a player I'd actually try to make a positive out of opening on the road; if you win it jump starts your road win goals and gives you something to look forward to for your home opening day - the town will be more pumped than if you were opening 0-0 and not knowing what you have.  Of course if you lose that puts a little more pressure on you to get back to .500.

Again, to me it's irrelevant.  I kind of like getting the Colts with Andrew Luck coming back after a long layout.  Beats Balt, Pitt or even Cleveland on the road IMO.

(07-28-2018, 10:17 AM)BengalFanInNJ Wrote: I've said it before, but I don't think having to play the season opener on the road is necessarily a bad thing. It's the first real game of the year so you know these guys are going to be chomping at the bit regardless of where they play. The next week, you would most likely play your home opener so that's another reason to be even more jacked being that it's the first home game and the crowd will be nuts.

Or am I talking out of my ass (again)?

(07-28-2018, 01:26 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: If i was a player i would just use it for added motivation...

But it is hard to not see the clear bias against our team. We never end the season against the Browns, it is always
against the Ravens or Steelers which is a little strange. Should have some change up here and then. Whenever we
play the Steelers there are atleast 10 shitty calls or no calls going against us for them.

But in the end the players and coaches need to use these things as added motivation like how Reggie Miller played
away games in the NBA. Let the hate fuel you.

(07-28-2018, 11:27 PM)fredtoast Wrote: It is actually an advantage to open on the road.  Road games are tough and travel is tiring, but the team will never be fresher than opening day.

(07-29-2018, 09:46 AM)Daddy-O Wrote: I could see the Ravens fans saying the same, "we never close against the Browns, it's always the Steelers or Bengals".  The NFL wants match ups that may decide the division.  The Browns are not in that category as of late.