12-24-2015, 07:22 AM
(12-23-2015, 12:53 AM)gobobro Wrote: We stepped on Denver last year without Eifert, Marvin Jones, Andre Smith (Winston had been signed to replace him 10 days before the game), Burfict, Michael Johnson... And AJ was banged up and out most of the game.
Not having Andy stinks, but I believe in these guys because they've already done it.
Except.. basically everything that allowed the Bengals to beat the Broncos last year isn't there now....
-Manning's Dying Noodle Arm's 4 INTs (Note Kirkpatrick hasn't had an INT since.)
-Explosive ST Plays (Jones is busy full time at CB now.)
-Jeremy Hill not sucking (22 carries, 147 yards)
-Dalton making lemonade out of a lemon WR corp (Sanu 1/16, Tate 1/12, Sanzenbacher 1/11... that's it for the WRs)
You mention not having Eifert and AJ being banged up, but that's pretty much the same situation now. Eifert still isn't out of concussion protocol and AJ is dealing with back issues. I don't see positive things happening with an Eifert and AJ-less McCarron and 3.4 YPC Hill on the road vs the #1 defense. Don't forget a limited Atkins due to sickle cell, who Lewis shouldn't let play. Ryan Clark almost DIED after he played there in 2007. He had to get his spleen and gallbladder removed, missing the rest of the year.
It all just adds up pretty badly regardless of how badly I want the Bengals to win this game and the next and get that first round bye to let Dalton heal an extra week.
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PS: The ST really freaking tore up that game looking back at the box score. 3 KR at a 44 yard average, 3 PR at a 23.6 yard average.
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