Reasons for optimism

[BengalChris]

(09-29-2020, 04:31 PM)Bengalfan4life27c Wrote: 1 Joe Burrow he is playing better every week.
2 31st ranked schedule 2nd easiest schedule remaining
3 XSF He played good against Chargers Running game might improve with his return
4 Geno Run D might improve with his return
5 Competitive nobody is blowing us out. Most competent we have looked through 3 weeks since Marvin's 2nd to last season
6 We are playing better every week
7 No significant injuries
8 Extra playoff spot our poor start might not kill us and with Joe he gives us a chance
9 Improvement from rookies LB's seem to be improving along with Tee\
10 Lawson may have had his breakout game. He was beating Peters 1 on 1 no easy task.

This all basically sums up to a whole lot of hope with not a lot substance. I can counter each one of your points with realistic counter points.

1. Burrow is getting beat up every week.
2. The team is winless against teams with losing records from last season and has zero wins against a team with a winning record since Taylor arrived.
3. RG has been poor no matter who's been in there.
4. Geno has been injured and largely makes his mark by offenses having to account for him on passing plays. He's not a big run stuffer.
5. Since Talyor arrived, the Bengals have blown out no one, not even winless loser teams.
6. Better is relative given the competition. Tying a winless team still makes you winless.
7. The DT spot has been injury riddled so far this season.
8. There's no chance of the #4 team in a division making the playoffs. Bengals have already lost to the #3 team in their division, so they are solidly at #4.
9. Tackling issues continue, particularly in the running game. Being unable to stop the run is a mark of a team that will not win many games. This is historically true and still holds true.
10. Players flash here and there, but it's consistency and doing it together that the team hasn't been able to during Taylor's entire time with the team. Ross had a flash game last season, but has done little since.