12-07-2023, 05:40 PM
(12-07-2023, 10:11 AM)Bengalbug Wrote: If the bengals make the playoffs without burrow, it means a few things.
1) Zac evolved as a play caller with a more balanced approach.
2) the team(coaches, players, etc) never gave up post burrow injury.
3) it should shut up the Zac Taylor haters. “Zac will be exposed without burrow”. Taylor isn’t perfect as a play caller, but he is a damn good head coach.
This sounds like a cop out, but I don’t feel comfortable with postseason talks until after the next two weeks. In addition to the bengals winning, many of the teams in the playoffs/hunt play one another… lots of shakeup coming. I’m in the school of thought that if they win their next two, they are more likely than not to control their own destiny… but it requires them finishing 2-1, and their loss must not be against Steelers or browns. If they go 2-1 and beat the chiefs, lose to aFCn rival… they can still get in more often than not, but it gets trickier. Essentially, colts, Steelers and browns are must wins due to them Being current AFC WC owners, and bengals can’t lose more than 1 to have more than a 15% chance of making playoffs.
I don't think Zac needs to evolve as a play caller using a more balanced offense, or "learn" anything. He has shown he can call brilliant games. I think it all comes down to the double edge sword of having an elite generational QB. When things are going great and the QB is lighting things up, that's great. But, when things aren't going so good, and the run game is not working, it is a natural thing to want to put the ball in your best players hands. That's Burrow and Chase. So, if anything, maybe he just needs to learn not to fall into that trap.
