(10-19-2015, 10:17 AM)hitchopottimus Wrote: It felt like the Buffalo game was a different sort of win for this year's team, which is kind of encouraging to see. Three major things stood out.

1) A slower start. First game this season they didn't score first, I believe. I liked seeing them overcome some early adversity. They've overcome adversity this season, but never early, and to me, it's psychologically a different thing. With late game issues, you can remind yourself how you played well early to help get your mind back on track. Early game issues you only have your general sense of confidence to fall back on against the feeling that the other team might just have your number today.

2. Dalton proved his "just okay" game this year is still pretty freaking good. Andy didn't have the dead-eye, perfect game he's had in some games this year. He floated some throws, hung Sanu out to dry on one screen, this is a game that in years past was easily looking to turn into a Bad Andy game. It never sppiralled, though. He pulled himself together, made solid throws and good decisions despite not having his best stuff in terms of pure accuracy.

3. AJ Green - The Bill's focused on him, and he didn't get much in the way of yardage and catches. Like a star, though, he found other days to impact the game, taking pressure off of Eifert and MLJ, and throwing a great block on Jones' TD catch and run.

(10-19-2015, 10:17 AM)hitchopottimus Wrote: It felt like the Buffalo game was a different sort of win for this year's team, which is kind of encouraging to see. Three major things stood out.

1) A slower start. First game this season they didn't score first, I believe. I liked seeing them overcome some early adversity. They've overcome adversity this season, but never early, and to me, it's psychologically a different thing. With late game issues, you can remind yourself how you played well early to help get your mind back on track. Early game issues you only have your general sense of confidence to fall back on against the feeling that the other team might just have your number today.

2. Dalton proved his "just okay" game this year is still pretty freaking good. Andy didn't have the dead-eye, perfect game he's had in some games this year. He floated some throws, hung Sanu out to dry on one screen, this is a game that in years past was easily looking to turn into a Bad Andy game. It never sppiralled, though. He pulled himself together, made solid throws and good decisions despite not having his best stuff in terms of pure accuracy.

3. AJ Green - The Bill's focused on him, and he didn't get much in the way of yardage and catches. Like a star, though, he found other days to impact the game, taking pressure off of Eifert and MLJ, and throwing a great block on Jones' TD catch and run.

(10-19-2015, 10:52 AM)yellowxdiscipline Wrote: The Bills took away AJ, and we didn't sputter on offense. That's the difference between this years and last years team. Without AJ we looked lost, and relied heavily on Hill.

(10-19-2015, 11:33 AM)Hammerstripes Wrote: The health of this team is extremely important.

When Eifert, Jones, Hill, Bernard, Green and the O-line are healthy, this team can put up 30 on anybody.

The bottom line is this - this team IS good enough to win the Super Bowl.  It will come down to how well they play.  If they play mistake free football and play to their strengths, they can and will beat anyone.

(10-19-2015, 10:34 AM)Graphicguy Wrote: Seattle and Buffalo games I had as losses.  The team proved something against the Legion of Boom and Rex Ryan.  That's saying something.  Eventually, some coach, somewhere, will come up with a scheme that matches what the Bengal offense has on the field.

Don't know who, when or how.  But, someone will.

(10-19-2015, 10:52 AM)yellowxdiscipline Wrote: The Bills took away AJ, and we didn't sputter on offense. That's the difference between this years and last years team. Without AJ we looked lost, and relied heavily on Hill.

(10-19-2015, 11:26 AM)Sweetness Wrote: I think a major difference between this team and most teams is that even the stars realize how talented this team is. They understand they aren't all going to get 10 targets and 100 yards a game and they're okay with that. They genuinely seem happy when the team scores, even if it wasn't them who did it. (Except AJ, he HATES Dalton... ) You don't see Green, Jones, Hill, Eifert, Gio, etc complainin they aren't getting enough touches. They all put in good blocks and get excited when someone else scores. I'm sure AJ and anyone else on the team would take less targets/yards if it meant the team winning. 

(10-19-2015, 10:53 AM)Luvnit2 Wrote: How is a 115 QBR just okay?

AD did it when the other team took away AJ making his day more impressive.

Also, his deep pass to Jones was a thing of beauty and one heck of a play by Jones. The Bengals entire team is stepping up and helping make AD look great at times, but that does not take away what AD is accomplishing. He has been brilliant and add in yet another audible into a Gio run for his TD. AD is proving he may be Peyton Manning smart managing a game and that is impressive company to be even in this discussion.

(10-19-2015, 01:12 PM)OrlandoBengal Wrote: I would not yet put him in the Manning category for his ability to audible and manage a game, but I do agree with your question about a 115 QBR only being okay... completing 66% of your passes, for three touchdowns and 250 yards is much more than simply okay.  The guy played very well, and the team was up by 20 points going into the fourth quarter.  Hard to complain about a day like that.

(10-19-2015, 01:38 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: I agree and did not say he was Manning execution.

But, I think he may be someday as continues to gain experience. The truly smart QB's have a knack of getting out of bad plays and in some cases hitting homeruns.

He has hit a lot of homeruns in his career already in 4+ years so while not Manning results just yet, he is one of the few guys in the league right now with that potential in my opinion.