It's not over

[Bengalholic]

(12-27-2023, 08:09 AM)Cosmokramer Wrote: I’m not really sure I understand why everyone is so enamored with the playoffs.  We have no chance in hell of winning anything.  I’d rather lose out, get season over with and start getting ready for the off season and draft.

You would rather lose out than make the playoffs? I just can't understand this way of thinking brother...especially when they're still in the thick of things.

The Bengals aren't the only playoff contender with issues. Outside of Baltimore, and Miami / Cleveland most weeks...it's a damn toss up from week to week as to who looks competent and who doesn't. The Chiefs, for example, are only one game better than us and they've had Mahomes all year. The Jags, Colts, Texans and Steelers will look OK one game and then shit the bed the next. Even the Bills, who've been on a little run, are inconsistent as hell. 

We might get blown out in the first game if we make the playoffs...or, we just might upset someone. I would rather have that opportunity.

[SunsetBengal]

(12-27-2023, 02:46 PM)Bengalholic Wrote: You would rather lose out than make the playoffs? I just can't understand this way of thinking brother...especially when they're still in the thick of things.

The Bengals aren't the only playoff contender with issues. Outside of Baltimore, and Miami / Cleveland most weeks...it's a damn toss up from week to week as to who looks competent and who doesn't. The Chiefs, for example, are only one game better than us and they've has Mahomes all year. The Jags, Colts, Texans and Steelers will look OK one game and then shit the bed the next. Even the Bills, who've been on a little run, are inconsistent as hell. 

We might get blown out in the first game if we make the playoffs...or, we just might upset someone. I would rather have that opportunity.

Not to mention the huge morale boost it will be for the rest of the roster to have achieved even some limited success while their franchise QB is down for the season.

[Nepa]

(12-27-2023, 02:46 PM)Bengalholic Wrote: You would rather lose out than make the playoffs? I just can't understand this way of thinking brother...especially when they're still in the thick of things.

The Bengals aren't the only playoff contender with issues. Outside of Baltimore, and Miami / Cleveland most weeks...it's a damn toss up from week to week as to who looks competent and who doesn't. The Chiefs, for example, are only one game better than us and they've has Mahomes all year. The Jags, Colts, Texans and Steelers will look OK one game and then shit the bed the next. Even the Bills, who've been on a little run, are inconsistent as hell. 

We might get blown out in the first game if we make the playoffs...or, we just might upset someone. I would rather have that opportunity.

Exactly. Did two years of playoff wins spoil some fans so they don't even want to make the playoffs? Fans went 30 years without a playoff victory and now some don't even want to try and win a playoff game this year? Does Any Given Sunday not mean anything after seeing all the upsets this year of top teams playing low-ranked teams?

Bengals may lose on Sunday. But let's not give up already on Wednesday.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(12-27-2023, 02:46 PM)Bengalholic Wrote: You would rather lose out than make the playoffs? I just can't understand this way of thinking brother...especially when they're still in the thick of things.

The Bengals aren't the only playoff contender with issues. Outside of Baltimore, and Miami / Cleveland most weeks...it's a damn toss up from week to week as to who looks competent and who doesn't. The Chiefs, for example, are only one game better than us and they've had Mahomes all year. The Jags, Colts, Texans and Steelers will look OK one game and then shit the bed the next. Even the Bills, who've been on a little run, are inconsistent as hell. 

We might get blown out in the first game if we make the playoffs...or, we just might upset someone. I would rather have that opportunity.

Same way I feel, nice post Holic. If anything, anything can happen once you make it into the Playoffs as we have seen forever. To rather lose 
out is insane to me as well. We have also beat good teams this year with Browning under the big lights, namely the Jags game. So this isn't 
Dalton and the Marv led Bengals.

[Essex Johnson]

(12-27-2023, 02:52 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: Not to mention the huge morale boost it will be for the rest of the roster to have achieved even some limited success while their franchise QB is down for the season.

Are you saying making the playoffs without Burrow would be limited success? I would argue very success if that happen

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(12-26-2023, 06:34 PM)michaelsean Wrote: It’s hard to beat a team three times in a season, but if you beat a team twice, that doesn’t make beating them a third time more difficult because you hadn’t lost to them yet.

Your post here is confusing. It is very rare for a team to beat a team 3 times in one season, just a fact.

(12-26-2023, 08:14 PM)Nepa Wrote: The Bengals have had a brutal schedule overall. Toughest Strength of schedule in the league to date with games still upcoming with the Chiefs and Browns. They've done well considering the Burrow injuries and the schedule. If they'd been in a weaker division, we no doubt would be praising their season to date, with those victories you mentioned and likely good playoff position.

Damn rights, the Chiefs have had Mahomes all year and are only 1 game ahead of us. We have done this with Burrow hurt most of the year.

Pretty incredible really. I will root for this team till we are done. We aren't done yet.

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(12-27-2023, 02:55 PM)Nepa Wrote: Exactly. Did two years of playoff wins spoil some fans so they don't even want to make the playoffs? Fans went 30 years without a playoff victory and now some don't even want to try and win a playoff game this year? Does Any Given Sunday not mean anything after seeing all the upsets this year of top teams playing low-ranked teams?

Bengals may lose on Sunday. But let's not give up already on Wednesday.

Well said Nepa. 

[depthchart]

(12-27-2023, 08:09 AM)Cosmokramer Wrote: I’m not really sure I understand why everyone is so enamored with the playoffs.  We have no chance in hell of winning anything.  I’d rather lose out, get season over with and start getting ready for the off season and draft.

The Jags & Chiefs are beatable and can still be Division Winners. The Bengals could play one of them if the Bengals can get the right Wildcard spot 

to do so.  If they play Miami or the Ravens who knows just how healthy their Teams or Starting QB's may be by Playoff game time.

Having Zac help Browning return to better form and Win their way into the Playoffs would be a good sign for Zac's ability to Win some without

Burrow. Plus it would let us know that Browning can be a better than average backup. Browning is right now at the point where most backups that

have done well for a few games start to fall to earth and stay there. Maybe Browning can learn from the Steelers game and get more seasoned by 

the experience to start playing better. Browning could Plateau, regress even more or get better in these last few games.

In my opinion, it would be a good sign if this Team could make the Playoffs and maybe Win a Playoff game without Burrow.

18 of the 32 NFL Teams would have been eliminated yet this Bengals Team gets into the Playoffs without Burrow.

The Franchises that make the Playoffs garner some respect and the sense that they earned something for their efforts.

They might as well earn it if they can.

[SunsetBengal]

(12-27-2023, 03:24 PM)Essex Johnson Wrote: Are you saying making the playoffs without Burrow would be limited success? I would argue very success if that happen

I say limited success due to the high likelihood that they would be eliminated before reaching the Superbowl.  Reaching the playoffs in spite of the injuries and setbacks would definitely be success, albeit limited in the sense of reaching/winning the Superbowl being the ultimate goal.

[Joelist]

We'll see what happens. Browning basically lost that Stealer game for us even given the horrid defensive play. He has got to be better at reads and awareness for us to have any real chance the next two weeks. In that respect it was like the first Stealer game where he was the prime culprit. He has good points and does have tools but the mental mistakes that cause dumb INTs and nonsense like holding the ball too long and running directly into pressure have to stop if he expects to be a successful NFL QB in any longer term.

[Shake n Blake]

Didn't Purdy just throw 5 INT's and look awful vs the Ravens?

I wouldn't give up on Browning completely yet, or say that the bubble burst.

Very possible that Browning rebounds.

[wildcatnku24]

(12-27-2023, 05:00 PM)Shake n Blake Wrote: Didn't Purdy just throw 5 INT's and look awful vs the Ravens?

I wouldn't give up on Browning completely yet, or say that the bubble burst.

Very possible that Browning rebounds.

Absolutely agree.  I am kinda excited for the opportunity to see Browning have another comeback game.  Remember, his first career start was against the steelers, and his response was to rattle off three wins, including some gutsy throws and comeback drives.    I won't be placing any sportsbook bets on anything, but I think it's possible we win out.

[QueenCity]

Anytime the Bengals have a chance at making the playoffs + win a game is cool in my book.

I didn't enjoy 30 years of not winning one that's for sure.

[Shake n Blake]

(12-27-2023, 05:05 PM)wildcatnku24 Wrote: Absolutely agree.  I am kinda excited for the opportunity to see Browning have another comeback game.  Remember, his first career start was against the steelers, and his response was to rattle off three wins, including some gutsy throws and comeback drives.    I won't be placing any sportsbook bets on anything, but I think it's possible we win out.

Ha, I wouldn't bet on it, either. Just keeping an open mind and ready to enjoy the last 2 weeks.

We'll have 6 months or so to discuss the results of this season afterwards.

For now, I don't want to have any hard opinions about Jake or this team.

[Essex Johnson]

(12-27-2023, 04:10 PM)SunsetBengal Wrote: I say limited success due to the high likelihood that they would be eliminated before reaching the Superbowl.  Reaching the playoffs in spite of the injuries and setbacks would definitely be success, albeit limited in the sense of reaching/winning the Superbowl being the ultimate goal.

Winning or reaching SB is always ultimate goal for NFL tea.ms, so your thinking means 30 teams have limited success each year..
Ve

[SunsetBengal]

(12-27-2023, 10:15 PM)Essex Johnson Wrote: Winning or reaching SB is always ultimate goal for NFL tea.ms, so your thinking means 30 teams have limited success each year..
Ve

Pretty much.  When the goal is to win the championship, anything less is falling short.

[Sled21]

(12-27-2023, 02:55 PM)Nepa Wrote: Exactly. Did two years of playoff wins spoil some fans so they don't even want to make the playoffs? Fans went 30 years without a playoff victory and now some don't even want to try and win a playoff game this year? Does Any Given Sunday not mean anything after seeing all the upsets this year of top teams playing low-ranked teams?

Bengals may lose on Sunday. But let's not give up already on Wednesday.

Some people are never happy unless they're miserable.

[Sled21]

(12-27-2023, 03:24 PM)Essex Johnson Wrote: Are you saying making the playoffs without Burrow would be limited success? I would argue very success if that happen

And I would say that is 100% correct, while others are screaming to fire our coaches.

[Essex Johnson]

(12-28-2023, 09:20 AM)Sled21 Wrote: And I would say that is 100% correct, while others are screaming to fire our coaches.

Well i have to admit I have been one saying I feel we need make a change with Pollack mainly because that is an area where we have invested more than any other area of the team and don;t feel we have gotten the return and maybe time for a change

But to me even if we end up 9-8 what a great job we did going 5-3 with Joe (considering we were 5-4 with ravens game who knows w/l with Burrow) plus a very tough end of year schedule considering every team we would have played could make the playoffs and/or finish with a winning record.