Quote:The case for: It doesn't require a lot of faith to buy into a group that won 22 games from 2021-22 and reached the Super Bowl and AFC championship game during that span. Despite Joe Burrow's injuries - a calf ailment contributed to a 1-3 start before the quarterback was lost for the season in November to a wrist issue - Cincinnati still forged ahead to a 9-8 mark, with their playoff hopes lingering until Week 17. Burrow's recovery bears watching in training camp, but his trajectory is thus far reassuring. Signing Trent Brown and drafting Amarius Mims to address the hole at right tackle could position Burrow to enjoy the best protection of his career - though that's not a very high bar. Meanwhile, a defense that was undone by its league-worst allowance of explosive plays should be in better shape at safety thanks to the arrival of Geno Stone and return of Vonn Bell. It's little wonder why the team didn't budge on trade requests from two key starters in wide receiver Tee Higgins and defensive end Trey Hendrickson: This is a legitimate contender.

Quote:The case against: The AFC North was the only division to have four teams with winning records in 2023. It may be even more brutal this season. The Bengals' offense could experience a few bumps with running backs Zack Moss and Chase Brown stepping in for mainstay Joe Mixon and a new No. 3 receiver needing to emerge following the departure of dependable slot Tyler Boyd. The pieces are in place for progress along the defensive line and in the secondary, but some recent unproven early draft picks will be counted on to become reliable contributors.

Quote:The bottom line: Cincinnati completed the worst-to-first transition in 2021. The team won't have nearly as far to go to repeat the feat this year. As the only group on this list that finished above .500 last season, the Bengals are a far more proven product than any of the other candidates. They might be behind the Ravens for the title of AFC North favorite, but it shouldn't be by much.

(06-26-2024, 05:56 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Of course I agree. There are lots of factors why, Burrow healthy, us being so bad last year running the ball, us always being in the Shotgun
early last season, our Defense being so bad at giving up explosive plays because of youth and poor communication etc.

Also, that was a historical season for our Division, they won't be that good again. No Division has ever had all 4 teams finish above .500
with 3 making the Playoffs. At least one of the teams that were ahead of us should fall off a bit this year.

(06-26-2024, 06:29 PM)bfine32 Wrote: Imma b pulling for our boys down in Music City

(06-26-2024, 06:25 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: The Steelers don't have a bad roster, either, but, just like the Browns, the quarterback room could be rough with Fields and Wilson because I don't see either of them leading the Steelers to much this late in their careers.

(06-27-2024, 12:21 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Justin Fields is only 25 years old and has only been in the league 3 years at this point.
He just wasn't an actual good passer, which is why CHI moved on from him.
If a QB coach can figure out how to get him more accurate and throwing more in general, he could maybe become a long-term QB in the league at some point.
But right now, I foresee Wilson as the starter with Field as the backup.

Wilson hasn't thrown for 4000+ yards since 2020, but if they have a good defense and running game, I think he could be good enough to get them back into the playoffs if not even possibly a playoff win depending on the team they would play.

(06-27-2024, 12:21 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Justin Fields is only 25 years old and has only been in the league 3 years at this point.
He just wasn't an actual good passer, which is why CHI moved on from him.
If a QB coach can figure out how to get him more accurate and throwing more in general, he could maybe become a long-term QB in the league at some point.
But right now, I foresee Wilson as the starter with Field as the backup.

Wilson hasn't thrown for 4000+ yards since 2020, but if they have a good defense and running game, I think he could be good enough to get them back into the playoffs if not even possibly a playoff win depending on the team they would play.

(07-01-2024, 08:04 PM)grampahol Wrote: I'm kind of hoping Joe is able to badly embarrass Fields and keep Ohio State regretting not making him their starter..   

(06-26-2024, 01:07 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: Yahoo ranked the teams it thinks has the best chance to jump to the top of the division this season, and, not surprisingly, we were ranked first.

(06-27-2024, 01:22 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Yes as much as it sucks to say I think the stealers are our biggest threat in the Division this year with Russ at QB.

He could also teach Fields a thing or two for the future. The QB's the stealers had last year were terrible specifically Pickett.

(07-03-2024, 07:17 PM)Essex Johnson Wrote: To me Lamar is still the King of AfC, he has dominated as a starter is better than Wilson.

(07-03-2024, 07:50 PM)BengalYankee Wrote: AFC North* = Yes

AFC = No

*Except against the Squealers

(06-27-2024, 01:22 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: Yes as much as it sucks to say I think the stealers are our biggest threat in the Division this year with Russ at QB.

He could also teach Fields a thing or two for the future. The QB's the stealers had last year were terrible specifically Pickett.

(07-03-2024, 07:17 PM)Essex Johnson Wrote: To me Lamar is still the King of AfC, he has dominated as a starter is better than Wilson.

(07-04-2024, 03:37 PM)TCUBengal34 Wrote: Russ is cooked. Fields can't play within the pocket.

I'm not worried about the Steelers, at all.