01-12-2016, 03:50 AM
(01-12-2016, 03:20 AM)Utts Wrote: This is absurd. This team couldn't beat anybody of consequence down the stretch, starting with the AZ game. They collapsed time after time. What makes you think this team can win a single playoff game, much less 3-4 in a row???? What? What data do you have suggests this is likely? I'll answer for you ... nothing. Zip. Playing dirty (see stupid) is not how you win consistently in the NFL. That's idiotic to even postulate. The Steelers have built a tradition of winning on kicking ass. They have kicked our ass over and over again in our own house when the stakes were at their highest. They do that with solid coaching, and some tremendous talent.
I honestly think we would have had the #1 or #2 seed with Dalton, but we didn't have him so we'll never know. However, even if we had got a bye, I have zero confidence we would have got past that first game. Why? Because of the lack of poise on display from coaches and players on Saturday night.
Nobody fears the idiotic play. They invite it, because they know they can use it to their advantage. If you doubt that, I suggest you go ask Joey Porter to fill you in.
Enough already. Time to get back to reality.
If you are talking about Marvin Lewis then I 100% agree with you.
Marvin Lewis's success comes from drafting well, finding talent in the draft and FA, and developing talent. The Bengals are the most talented team in the NFL. The talent disparity between the Bengals and most NFL teams are enough to mask Marvin Lewis's weaknesses on game day coaching. But whenever the Bengals play during primetime (usually vs very talented teams) or during the playoffs (again usually vs a very talented team), coaching comes into the equation. This is why Marvin Lewis's record during primetime games and the playoffs is atrocious. He can't get his team mentally ready, prepared, play intelligent football, play smart football which all leads to playing flat and without passion.
Marvin Lewis lost that game when the team couldn't score in 3 quarters, stupid penalties (Whitworth twice, Burfict and Jones, etc), and Hill not having two hands on the ball. Marvin is the constant in all of the craziness. He should be fired, but Mike Brown will never do that. Marvin Lewis teams have to outplay the deficiencies of their coach. The Bengals are finally getting to that level of play.
What I saw Saturday that was different from other games in the past was a fight. They didn't give up. They play hard. Came back from 15-0 in the 4th quarter. Burfict sacked Big Ben cleanly. Burfict makes the pick to seal the game. I will take the good with the bad every time. If Burfict and Jones are not playing, the Steelers roll on the Bengals.
They didn't want to be bullied anymore. I respect that. In order to beat the bully, you have to become the bully. This team was never going to win a Super Bowl until they FINALLY became the bully.
Congrats Steelers on your Division Round exit...
