Bengals Win Out + Colts Beat the Broncos... We are all potentially 10-7, AND WE IN?

[*rfaulk34*]

(11-18-2024, 07:06 PM)TheLeonardLeap Wrote: *Have only beaten the 3rd, 4th, 5th, and 8th worst teams in the NFL all year (combined 9-31 record, .225 win%).*
"Hey, we can go on a 6 game winning streak!"

I'm not going to be holding my breath.

I completely get the negativity by so many. I've certainly been there myself but i keep coming back to the reason the record is what it is. It's the view that most of the team is bad, is where i'm not on board. They've been completely unable to close out games in the end that has them where they are, not that they're unable to compete with good teams. They've had historic losses this year--things you just don't see in NFL history. They've failed to make a single play in 4 games this year that would have changed the outcome in that game. Burrow has had the ball in his hands in 5 games this year with a chance to either extend the lead or win the game and they've failed every time. That's something you just don't see often in the NFL. If they were able to convert just 2 of those 4 or 2 of those 5, we're looking at a completely different season. 

That's the only reason i still think they have the ability to turn this season around. Now, if they come out and lose to Pitt at home, forget about it, season's a wrap. Hell, if they lose any of the 3 next games you might as well say season over unless the teams right in front of them continue to fall as well. In just about any other season, by this point at 4-7, they'd already be out of it but the AFC is not very great this year. 

Honestly, if i were Zac, i would have told the team, take 2 or 3 days and get away. Go to the beach or go to a cabin in the woods--whatever you do to relax--forget about football and how the season has gone and just relax, forget about what has happened so far and come back like it's a new season, ready to start fresh. 

As bad as the defense has been, they've been able to shut Lamar down for a half+ and they shut the Chargers O down until the last drive. It's not like they haven't shown the ability to shut anyone at all down. 

I'm not really sure i have the hope this coaching staff can make the couple small tweaks that are necessary to change things around but i can't seem to shake the optimism i have that they will find a way to flip the switch and start closing out games to be where they need to be by season's end.