12-05-2022, 10:48 AM
(12-05-2022, 10:35 AM)Soonerpeace Wrote: Is beating KC/Andy Reid 3 straight times in 12 months a bigger validation of how good the Bengals are than going to last years SB? From a national perspective? The Bengals in their last 2 games ( Titans/Chiefs) have won the fourth quarter 17-3.
Say what you want 740Bengal and Tony about Zac Taylor and others on his play calling but in big games late in the season and in fourth quarters ( especially during last years playoff run) the team has been clutch. Of course Joe’s Joe Cool. But the head coach sets the tone. He’s the one who coined right after the Titans win in the locker room “ they’ve got to play us” . You can see the confidence this team has reached and Taylor as well as Joe get credit for the huge transformation from their dark days.
Yesterday was one of their better game plans. The Tyler Boyd drop was a beautiful play call and design they obviously planned to use Sunday. The Chris Evans touchdown was beautifully designed. Until he got hurt it looked like their focus was to use Hayden Hurst a lot.
The bottom line is coaches are certainly helped by their QB & playmakers. How was Andy Reid with Alex Smith? How is Bill Belicheck w/o Tom Brady? A big deal in this Bengals team is the culture in the locker room. If there’s anything that Taylor’s contributed to more it’s that. He’s the one who spearheaded the focus on captains in the draft, hard workers in FA, and got rid of locker room problems. He’s the one who instructed the scouts to specifically observe players interacting on the bench and sideline and thoroughly interview and research their character.
But back to the question? Is beating KC 3 times in 12 months recognized as a bigger validation than making the SB? Good discussion
Agree on all points presented. As for the validation, I do believe for the general fan, yesterday was a bigger validation. So many fans, including KC fans until yesterday, looked at last year as a fluke and as lucky. There were even some Bengals posters here who claimed the Bengals were lucky in their wins. But three wins against KC is a big wake up call that last year was not a fluke or based on luck. This team is really, really good.
