Bengals Win Out + Broncos & Colts go 2-3, Dolphins go 3-2 & WE'RE IN!!!

[*rfaulk34*]

(01-01-2025, 01:20 PM)Isaac Curtis: The Real #85 Wrote: Huntley damn near beat us in a PO game. 

Yeah, he played decent there but it was Baltimore's defense that kept them in that game. Part of his game was his legs (hurt us with a couple big runs), which is what i brought up before. Tua is no threat running the ball and he can't throw it in the cold. 

[BFritz21]

I know that we have the thread about the Broncos and the Dolphins losing from a month ago, but it's 40+ pages and I figured we could use a new thread.

We obviously need to handle our business against the Steelers, and we're giving up a point and a half, which is very big on the road, and then we need Denver to lose and Miami to lose or tie.

Chiefs will be resting their starters against Denver, so they're a 9.5 point favorite, so that seems unlikely, and Miami is giving up 1, so that's more likely but won't matter if the Chiefs lose.

Us win.

Dolphins lose.

Broncos lose.

[*pally*]

According to HC Mike McDonald, the Dolphins are preparing like Tua will be out again this week.

[*ochocincos*]

Not sure this topic needed another thread when 1) it's already mentioned and found easily in the thread with multiple pages, and 2) the scenario at this point is pretty cut and dry (Broncos and Dolphins have to lose along with a Bengals win).

But with Pittsburgh still playing for the division title and potentially playing for the 3 seed, they're going to go all out for their final home game.
Getting a road victory in primetime against a Steelers team in their situation that has traditionally been known for putting out all the tricks (to put it nicely) to get any advantage possible is going to be an incredibly challenging task on its own.
They should be more difficult to beat than the Broncos, who the Bengals arguably lucked out beating in OT last week.

At the end of the day, KC really controls this whole thing if they wanted to.
If they see Cincy win on Saturday, there's nothing stopping them from trying a lot less on Sunday to give the Broncos a win.
I know if I were KC, I'd much rather potentially go against this declining Broncos team (on a 2-game losing skid) than a surging Bengals team (potential 5-game win streak) if either team can get past BUF on WC weekend.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

(01-01-2025, 01:45 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: Yeah, he played decent there but it was Baltimore's defense that kept them in that game. Part of his game was his legs (hurt us with a couple big runs), which is what i brought up before. Tua is no threat running the ball and he can't throw it in the cold. 

I was refuting the idea expressed earlier that Huntley is garbage. I feel pretty comfortable with that position. 

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

Dolphins preparing for Huntley to start.

https://www.thephinsider.com/miami-dolphins-injuries/2025/1/1/24333625/miami-dolphins-injury-uypdate-week-18-tua-tagovailoa-news-rumors-snoop-huntley-new-york-jets-playoff

[Ell Prez]

(01-01-2025, 03:39 PM)ochocincos Wrote: Not sure this topic needed another thread when 1) it's already mentioned and found easily in the thread with multiple pages, and 2) the scenario at this point is pretty cut and dry (Broncos and Dolphins have to lose along with a Bengals win).

But with Pittsburgh still playing for the division title and potentially playing for the 3 seed, they're going to go all out for their final home game.
Getting a road victory in primetime against a Steelers team in their situation that has traditionally been known for putting out all the tricks (to put it nicely) to get any advantage possible is going to be an incredibly challenging task on its own.
They should be more difficult to beat than the Broncos, who the Bengals arguably lucked out beating in OT last week.

At the end of the day, KC really controls this whole thing if they wanted to.
If they see Cincy win on Saturday, there's nothing stopping them from trying a lot less on Sunday to give the Broncos a win.
I know if I were KC, I'd much rather potentially go against this declining Broncos team (on a 2-game losing skid) than a surging Bengals team (potential 5-game win streak) if either team can get past BUF on WC weekend.

If they were smart they would want bengals to get in as we have a better chance beating the bills. They fear bills more than bengals. They just don’t like us bc of the whole “burrow head” thing.

[*TheLeonardLeap*]

(01-01-2025, 11:58 PM)Ell Prez Wrote: If they were smart they would want bengals to get in as we have a better chance beating the bills. They fear bills more than bengals. They just don’t like us bc of the whole “burrow head” thing.

The 2024 defense is not the 2022 defense. On top of our defense being bad against the run and bad against the pass, we are terrible against running QBs and the Bills are top-10 in all of those. The Bills have allowed the least number of sacks in the NFL (just 14) and we're 26th in sacks. I think we're actually a pretty terrible matchup to the Bills this year.

[*ochocincos*]

(01-01-2025, 11:58 PM)Ell Prez Wrote: If they were smart they would want bengals to get in as we have a better chance beating the bills. They fear bills more than bengals. They just don’t like us bc of the whole “burrow head” thing.

We sure about that?
Bengals have better record against the Chiefs (inc playoffs) than the Bills do in recent years.

[Luvnit2]

Reid announced Mahomes will not play Sunday and other starters will sit as well.

It becomes unlikely Denver loses to KC which we need to happen, + a Miami loss + a win for us against the Steelers.

Never say never, but it appears we will be out of playoffs again this year.

[*rfaulk34*]

(01-02-2025, 02:01 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: Reid announced Mahomes will not play Sunday and other starters will sit as well.

It becomes unlikely Denver loses to KC which we need to happen, + a Miami loss + a win for us against the Steelers.

Never say never, but it appears we will be out of playoffs again this year.

Carson Wentz is watching Sam Darnold and wanting his sitch real bad. He will come out looking to light Denver up to try and be a starter for someone next year. The question will be, how much support will he have? They can't sit everyone. Some starters will have to play. 

[Luvnit2]

(01-02-2025, 02:04 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: Carson Wentz is watching Sam Darnold and wanting his sitch real bad. He will come out looking to light Denver up to try and be a starter for someone next year. The question will be, how much support will he have? They can't sit everyone. Some starters will have to play. 

I am guessing they sit the following at least 50% of the game.

1. Mahomes
2. Kelcie
3. Worthy
4. Thuney (may be OL in football)
5. Humphrey
6. Chris Jones
7. Bolton
8. Reid
9. Pacheco

They can activate a bunch of PSS players fore 1 week

[*rfaulk34*]

(01-02-2025, 02:15 PM)Luvnit2 Wrote: I am guessing they sit the following at least 50% of the game.

1. Mahomes
2. Kelcie
3. Worthy
4. Thuney (may be OL in football)
5. Humphrey
6. Chris Jones
7. Bolton
8. Reid
9. Pacheco

They can activate a bunch of PSS players fore 1 week

Yep. I agree with that list. 

Just gotta see some Wentzmagic. Dude is playing for his career. Better him than some entrenched backup level guy that's just out to get some snaps. 

[Mickeypoo]

I believe any 2 of the 3 things we need to happen will go our way and we will just barely miss out............................again.

Not what I want, but that is what my realistic self thinks.

[Luvnit2]

(01-02-2025, 02:18 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: Yep. I agree with that list. 

Just gotta see some Wentzmagic. Dude is playing for his career. Better him than some entrenched backup level guy that's just out to get some snaps. 

I agree about Wentz laying for career. But this KC offense has been average with Mahomes magic. Denver also leads the league in sacks. No Thuney and Humphrey spells bad news for the KC offense.

I was wrong and Steelers need to win regardless of whether Ravens win earlier that day to secure the 5 seed. I am sure they would much rather play the Texans than the Ravens or Bills in WC round.

[*pally*]

we've been assuming this all along

[coachmcneil71]

(01-02-2025, 02:04 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: Carson Wentz is watching Sam Darnold and wanting his sitch real bad. He will come out looking to light Denver up to try and be a starter for someone next year. The question will be, how much support will he have? They can't sit everyone. Some starters will have to play. 

Yep! And, AR has already mentioned that he can't believe that Wentz isn't a starter in the league. I think AR will give Wentz plenty of opportunities to shine in this one.

"So you're saying, there is a chance!"  

[PCB Bengal Fan]

Just another sh!t season as a Bengals fan. I've already decided to get rid of Sunday Ticket after 27 seasons. NFL+ will have to do.

[Ctfan73]

This gives me a glimmer of hope:

In 2013 the Chiefs were in a similar situation against the Chargers in the last week of the season. The Chiefs were locked into a playoff spot and the Chargers had to win to make the playoffs. The Chiefs sat almost all of their starters and came within a missed 41 yard field goal at the end of regulation of winning the game. The Chargers won in overtime.

https://www.pro-football-reference.com/boxscores/201312290sdg.htm

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(01-02-2025, 02:04 PM)rfaulk34 Wrote: Carson Wentz is watching Sam Darnold and wanting his sitch real bad. He will come out looking to light Denver up to try and be a starter for someone next year. The question will be, how much support will he have? They can't sit everyone. Some starters will have to play. 

Yeah, I am not writing off the Chiefs in this game with Wentz either. Like you said, some starters will have to play.