Are we going into the post season “healthy”, compared to last year.

[*ochocincos*]

(01-11-2023, 12:10 AM)Bengalbug Wrote: At this point, we are in a similar position.  Hopefully the injury bug is behind us, it’s been a tough year.

Missed games by (key contributors):
Awuzie
Collins
Mixon
Boyd
Hurst
Chase
Higgins
Hendrickson
Hubbard
Reader
Likely Cappa next week

Is our OL, minus collins and Cappa, better than last years?  Is Scharping able to hold up?

For the most part, this is the same team as last year, which includes getting over the Super Bowl hangover, appendectomy of burrow, a year of more experience and riding an 8 game winning streak (through most of the injuries listed above).  I would be remissed if I left out how huge having Karras is as well.

So, maybe the title shouldn’t be, are we healthier than last year, but are we “better” than last year?

I think so.  I also hope being a week removed from MNF helps continue to get our focus right.

I'd probably put the roster about on par with last year's.

With Cappa and Collins out, it's about the same OL as last year.
Scharping is probably better than Adeniji at OG and Adeniji might be better than Prince at OT, but it's not head-and-shoulders better.
Bengals have basically the same DL they had last year - Hendrickson, Reader, Hill, Hubbard.
Might have better depth than last year though with Ossai outside and Tupou inside.
DBs somewhat worse than last year because Awuzie is out.

Last year's roster was able to get to the Super Bowl, and I think this roster can too if things go right.

One other thing is that this offense has seemed to evolve throughout this year.
It's now less reliant on a big play to score points.
That should help keep the offense there longer and keep the defense fresh.