(09-17-2018, 01:17 PM)thillan Wrote: So where do you feel like this team is heading this year? I always appreciate your input, so I thought I’d ask.

(09-17-2018, 01:33 PM)Shake n Blake Wrote: Thanks bro. I predicted 9-7 before the season, but seeing how well they've played through 2 weeks, I think I may have sold them short. 

- The line looks like a work in progress, but already much better than what it was.

- AJ Green looks like he's picking up where he left off in 2016. I've never seen him better. Boyd is looking like a legit #2. Anything we get from Ross is icing.

- We NEED Mixon. The offense just has a different - SB quality - feel to it when he's on the field. He just has to stay healthy, which looks like a huge if at this point.

- Defense looks okay, but they could be better. Where is the pass rush? Burfict should (as usual) provide a big lift when he's back. Bates looks like the real deal.

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Overall this team will be fun to watch progress. I think the Steelers and Patriots both look vulnerable (finally...hopefully) so the AFC could be wide open. I'm pretty excited about the rest of the season, but this team HAS to break through in the playoffs. Their window (with Dalton/Green/Atkins/Dunlap) is getting small.

(09-17-2018, 01:33 PM)Shake n Blake Wrote: - Defense looks okay, but they could be better. Where is the pass rush? Burfict should (as usual) provide a big lift when he's back. Bates looks like the real deal.

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(09-17-2018, 02:05 PM)SHRacerX Wrote: I think as the season wears on and the offensive linemen wear down, so long as the Bengals stick to the plan of having continual rotations, I think the pass rush will be lethal.  

Right now, especially on a short week in week 2, the soreness is incredible for everyone.  Once they are in so-called mid-season form, watch out.  I think they really have something in Lawson, Willis, and now Hubbard to combine with Dunlap and Atkins.  

(09-17-2018, 02:15 PM)bengalfan74 Wrote: Oh me to, I think we've just scratched the surface on the pass rush.

(09-17-2018, 01:39 PM)psychdoctor Wrote: I said this in another thread, I think it will come down to Bengals and Jacksonville for AFC championship.  Jacksonville and Chiefs look tough.  

(09-17-2018, 02:01 PM)bengalfan74 Wrote: If this team can stay healthy (Eifert), if the Oline can continue getting better, if Burfict can come back and not get suspended again, if ML will stay aggressive ? This team can make some waves I do believe.

The Jags and KC are legit I believe, that Mahomes ! Defense their weak link.

But I think we can be right in it. Need to win 1 of these next two road games. I think we can beat Carolina

(09-17-2018, 02:29 PM)Wyche Wrote: .....both opponents so far have predominantly used a quick strike passing attack to avoid the rush.  While the numbers aren't there, any time a unit causes teams to go away from their typical offense is a big deal.  The times Flacco held on to the ball, he was pressured, sacked, or intercepted.

(09-17-2018, 01:08 PM)Shake n Blake Wrote:  and we would've made it in 2006 if not for Brad St Louis.

(09-18-2018, 01:05 PM)Tiger Teeth Wrote: You broke the cardinal rule of the message board.  We DON'T mention that name!  

(09-17-2018, 01:39 PM)psychdoctor Wrote: I said this in another thread, I think it will come down to Bengals and Jacksonville for AFC championship.  Jacksonville and Chiefs look tough.  

(09-17-2018, 02:29 PM)Wyche Wrote: .....both opponents so far have predominantly used a quick strike passing attack to avoid the rush.  While the numbers aren't there, any time a unit causes teams to go away from their typical offense is a big deal.  The times Flacco held on to the ball, he was pressured, sacked, or intercepted.