Let’s Get Physical

[Fan_in_Kettering]

“Let’s Get Physical!” sang the late great Olivia Newton-John decades ago.

While Olivia’s dulcet voice described the “horizontal mambo” my 2024 edition of “Let’s Get Physical!” involves the Cincinnati Bengals. How? The Bengals need to get physical — because they aren’t. Last night was proof: The Steelers bullied the Bengals badly. It was sandlot football for 60 minutes.

The AFC North requires physical play. Baltimore and Pittsburgh always play hard and tough and Cleveland learned to play this way as well. Unfortunately the Bengals have not. The offensive linemen get pushed back. The defensive line gets stood up. Cornerbacks and safeties get stiff armed into the earth’s crust.

Offensive play calling and defensive schemes don’t matter if the team is getting pushed around physically.

The Bengals must adapt or face competitive extinction.

[Science Friction]

The Bengals are softer than Olivia's golden voice .

[*michaelsean*]

They did win the AFC North two years in a row. Burrow played roughly a quarter of one AFC North game healthy. That’s just how it’s going to go with this team when he’s not healthy.