Will We Make the Playoffs?

[leonardfan40]

(10-23-2016, 09:42 AM)SHRacerX Wrote: The situation isn't really that bad...I doubt anyone on here thinks Baltimore will win this division or finish higher than the Bengals. They had some real weaklings early.  putzburgh is two games ahead (three, really, when you consider the head to head), but they have the pats this weekend and Pig Ben is out polishing his drama queen tiara.  

The Bengals SHOULD be one game back after today and they have the opportunity to beat pitt head to head at home to even the score.  

All that being said, I just see so little fire in this team.  There hasn't been one complete game played by them all year.  The Miami game was just a competition of who sucked less...ugly.  They don't seem capable (or willing?) of making adjustments.  They play a game of "let's hope the other team makes a mistake" and most teams simply won't.  Burnt toast tried to roast me for talking about the lack of safety or corner blitzes (facts got in his way again) but my point was more one of what do the Bengals do to FORCE turnovers?  Blindside QB hits.  Force bad throws in to INTs.  Not much.  They play to not give up the big play (shades of Bresh...and a cold chill runs down my spine) and that is not what inspires a team to play hard.

 I know, I know...there are coaches that aren't ra ra...they are professionals and should play hard 100% of the time.  I understand this line of thinking but it is human nature.  When they aren't ever attacking, they are playing soft.  That is true for both the offense and defense.  The stupid slide blocking scheme doesn't allow an olineman to fire off the ball and hit someone.  It is paddy-cake.  Look at how Dallas runs the ball and you will see what I mean.  It isn't just the RB.

I agree with most of what you said, but let's be honest, when was the last time you saw fire in this team? Marvin may as well change his title to firefighter because he hates all passion and energy. I haven't seen real fire from this team on a consistent basis since 09. Yet somehow (by beating up on the weak teams) they keep making the playoffs. They are set up nicely to do the same this year if you look at the schedule