Do We Overtake KC In 2025?!

[samhain]

(02-10-2025, 04:43 PM)KillerGoose Wrote: The Bengals may not even be the best team in the division next season, let alone AFC. Kansas City will still be formidable but the Ravens and Bills will be top notch again. I expect Cincinnati to be competitive but it is hard to say without seeing how FA goes.

I think KC will have a lot to juggle this offseason.  Lots of free agents.  Kelce looks done or close to it.  They've had a really hard time finding good OTs since OBJ left.  

I also think that another Harbaugh offseason in LA will make the Chargers even more formidable.  They have the money to make moves in FA.  As much as I dislike Harbaugh, I think he builds teams the right way.  His physical culture and ability to find talent are major advantages.  Payton and the Broncos will also be a thorn in their sides as well.  Heck, even the Raiders have a real coach at this point.  They just need a qb.  Pete's been pretty good at getting abs ready throughout his career.  Honestly, that division could become a bloodbath similar to ours in short order.

As far as the Bengals, it's going to be a tough road personnel-wise.  The FO is evolving, but all too gradually.  The lack agility and seem to fear aggressively pursuing what they need.  They settle for what shakes out, and that's a half-measure.  Getting a bargain or fair deal doesn't mean much if the player can't help.  

That said, having Burrow is reason for hope.  I wouldn't trade him for any player in the league.  I'd love to see what he could do running an offense that can pose a legitimate running threat.  Perhaps Pollack's exit will align the run game closer to what Joe and Zac want.  People keep saying KC wouldn't let Barkley beat them, so Hurts had to.  Can you imagine saying that about a team that could run with a qb like Joey B under center?

[Soonerpeace]

(02-10-2025, 06:38 PM)samhain Wrote: If you have a front 4 that gets pressure you can drop everyone else.  Mahomes is an all time great, but the Chiefs dealt with some horrific play from their OTs.  Constant pressure from fewer guys and everyone else in coverage has always been his kryptonite.  It's every QB's kryptonite.  It's just relatively rare to have a front 4 (plus more in the chamber with their rotation) as good a Philly's.  He's also enjoyed better OL play in years past.  

Hell, Anarumo rushed 3 and dropped 8 when they were having success vs KC.  Attrition and decline on the DL made that strategy a tougher ask this year.

KC surprisingly hasn’t addressed their tackles the last 2 seasons. It came to haunt them. Mahomes is at his best free lancing. But it’s obvious the three best teams were likely KC, Philly, and Baltimore. Look at their rosters and how many key players are on rookie deals. I mentioned earlier our top 3 picks the last 4 drafts have only resulted into 2 bonafide starters. Mims & CTB. And CTB isn’t great.Thats our problem. Starters on rookie deals allows you to go get Free Agents easier. Philly was 16-1 since September and the lone loss to Wash by 3 points in a game Hurts missed most of. They were the best team. They had a good OC and great DC. KC won 5 games by 3 or less points and 10 by 7 points or less. 

[Sled21]

I think last night we witnessed the end of the Chiefs reign as a "dynasty." The NFL has and is taking a lot of flack about the favorable calls the Chefs always get which allows them to win. It's not just this board, go on FB or any of the other social media sites and it is all anyone talks about. The only people who don't see it are Chefs fans. The NFL got what it wanted last night, the Chefs were in the Super Bowl and Taylor was there to bring in all the "Not so Swifties" as viewers. But there were several boycotts going on, one about the Chiefs being in it, one about the Black National Anthem etc., so I will be looking forward to the viewership numbers. But what was obvious last night, without the benefit of favorable referees, the Chiefs did not belong on that field last night. They were totally outclassed. I'm just going to go out on a limb and guess the league will do something about the favorable calls in every game and that will end. And with it so will the Chiefs winning everything all the time. Without the refs, I think this year's Chiefs would have had 7-8 wins.
And then the arrogant buttholes take the last game of the season off (to keep the Bengals out), then sit through a first-round bye, play two playoff games, then sit another two weeks without playing prior to the SB. Is it any surprise they weren't ready?

[Soonerpeace]

(02-10-2025, 06:52 PM)samhain Wrote: I think KC will have a lot to juggle this offseason.  Lots of free agents.  Kelce looks done or close to it.  They've had a really hard time finding good OTs since OBJ left.  

I also think that another Harbaugh offseason in LA will make the Chargers even more formidable.  They have the money to make moves in FA.  As much as I dislike Harbaugh, I think he builds teams the right way.  His physical culture and ability to find talent are major advantages.  Payton and the Broncos will also be a thorn in their sides as well.  Heck, even the Raiders have a real coach at this point.  They just need a qb.  Pete's been pretty good at getting abs ready throughout his career.  Honestly, that division could become a bloodbath similar to ours in short order.

As far as the Bengals, it's going to be a tough road personnel-wise.  The FO is evolving, but all too gradually.  The lack agility and seem to fear aggressively pursuing what they need.  They settle for what shakes out, and that's a half-measure.  Getting a bargain or fair deal doesn't mean much if the player can't help.  

That said, having Burrow is reason for hope.  I wouldn't trade him for any player in the league.  I'd love to see what he could do running an offense that can pose a legitimate running threat.  Perhaps Pollack's exit will align the run game closer to what Joe and Zac want.  People keep saying KC wouldn't let Barkley beat them, so Hurts had to.  Can you imagine saying that about a team that could run with a qb like Joey B under center?

Great post. I’ve used this analogy before. Ownership/ Management is like that poker player in 5 card draw who  folds after he gets his hand unless he has 3 of a kind or better. Never risks losing a big hand. They have no feel for navigating the salary cap or drafting. They hit it big a couple of years with top 5 picks and one great year in free agency. 

[XsandOs]

I think as long as Mahomes and Reid are together, Chiefs will be a contender. After they were blown out by Bucs in 2020, they only missed one SB.

However; age and constantly picking at the end of first round is catching up with them. Also, last night removed the veil of invincibility.

Everybody will be looking for interior pass rushers in this draft. But it was dropping 7 in coverage that won the game. The 2 high safeties shifting at snap, confused Mahomes.

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

I think the Bills & Ravens have,better rosters, but their QB's get the yips in the PO's sometimes.

But let us aim for Pittsburgh first, then Baltimore. 

[*Nate (formerly eliminate08)*]

(02-10-2025, 07:12 PM)Sled21 Wrote: I think last night we witnessed the end of the Chiefs reign as a "dynasty." The NFL has and is taking a lot of flack about the favorable calls the Chefs always get which allows them to win. It's not just this board, go on FB or any of the other social media sites and it is all anyone talks about. The only people who don't see it are Chefs fans. The NFL got what it wanted last night, the Chefs were in the Super Bowl and Taylor was there to bring in all the "Not so Swifties" as viewers. But there were several boycotts going on, one about the Chiefs being in it, one about the Black National Anthem etc., so I will be looking forward to the viewership numbers. But what was obvious last night, without the benefit of favorable referees, the Chiefs did not belong on that field last night. They were totally outclassed. I'm just going to go out on a limb and guess the league will do something about the favorable calls in every game and that will end. And with it so will the Chiefs winning everything all the time. Without the refs, I think this year's Chiefs would have had 7-8 wins.
And then the arrogant buttholes take the last game of the season off (to keep the Bengals out), then sit through a first-round bye, play two playoff games, then sit another two weeks without playing prior to the SB. Is it any surprise they weren't ready?

Hope you are right Sled because I agree with most everything you say here. I just agree with XsandOs that as long as Mahomes and Andy 
Reid are in KC they will be a contender and that seems for the foreseeable future. So true about all the close wins and many of them coming
from the refs hands (our game included) and about them taking the last game off to keep the Bengals out. We all know they didn't want to 
play us in the playoffs and we were on a roll late in the season. The hottest teams going into the playoffs are the scariest.

As long as we have a good FA concentrating on the trenches and our new coaches aren't terrible we should be the favorite again. We can 
beat the teams in our Division if we have an even okay Defense, not that one last year that gave up 44 to the check down stealer's Offense
and giving up 38+ to the Ravens twice.

[GodFather]

(02-10-2025, 03:33 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: Does next season begin our takeover as the best team in the AFC?

This front office needs to get its shit togehter and put the players in a position to get the big dance, with the right offseason moves for a change including re-signing of current players and not make it a disraction. 

That needs to happen before anything else..

[Bengalstripes9]

For the bengals to be the best team in the league they need a defense.

Philly invested heavily in their pass rush, dline, and secondary over the last couple years and it’s why they dominated this year.

Bengals need to hit on improving their dline and secondary this offseason with legit playmakers outside of Hendrickson.

[007BengalsFan]

The Eagles had the best defense in the NFL this year. KC had the #2 defense in the NFL last year. Defense still wins championships. It should have been abundantly clear to everyone, including Bengals management even before the Super Bowl and now more so after the Super Bowl, the Bengals have to upgrade the talent on defense if they want to compete for a championship against other top teams in the NFL. You cant let your best talent leave because you dont want to pay them, then turn around and sign some "value" mediocre free agent. This is how you go from the #6 scoring defense to #25. On top of this they have to do better than drafting. No more Myles Murphy type picks.

[Fan_in_Kettering]

Kansas City? Let’s worry about overtaking the Ravens and the Steelers first — and stay ahead of Cleveland.

[Fan_in_Kettering]

(02-11-2025, 01:05 AM)007BengalsFan Wrote: The Eagles had the best defense in the NFL this year. KC had the #2 defense in the NFL last year. Defense still wins championships. It should have been abundantly clear to everyone, including Bengals management even before the Super Bowl and now more so after the Super Bowl, the Bengals have to upgrade the talent on defense if they want to compete for a championship against other top teams in the NFL. You cant let your best talent leave because you dont want to pay them, then turn around and sign some "value" mediocre free agent. This is how you go from the #6 scoring defense to #25. On top of this they have to do better than drafting. No more Myles Murphy type picks.

What a great post!

Maybe the Front Office needs to realign priorities and go after Micah Parsons or Myles Garrett who are proven performers.

[FormerlyBengalRugby]

If the Bengals can shore up the trenches, yes they will overtake KC.

Two good new guards, a solid edge rusher to help Trey, and adding an athletic rushing linebacker to play Golden's "viper" position.

Bengals do that, and they become the AFC favorite.

Improving the guards give Joe more time, improves the running game, and keeps the offense on the field, and the defense off of it.

Improving the pass rush makes the secondary better, gives the ball back to the offense more often, and makes elite QB's uncomfortable in the pocket.

Seems simple on paper.

[ERIC1]

(02-10-2025, 03:33 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: KC looked horrible last night.

Mahomes looked awful.

Kelce will be 36 a month into next season.

Hunt's a free agent, as-is Hopkins at receiver, as well as both starting guards and various other players.

They don't have much cap space to spend.

The Chiefs looked sloppy last night and they didn't look as confident as they have in years past.

I realize that we need to add some players on the offensive line and defense via free agency and the draft, but we have Burrow.

The Bills will still be good and the Ravens should be good but I don't trust Lamar to come through in big games, but, like I said, we have Burrow and I think he has an MVP next season with protection.




Does next season begin our takeover as the best team in the AFC?

KC had a bad night,,nothing  more ..it happens..nor does it any way shape or form that our Bengals will be the new boys on the block  

[ERIC1]

(02-10-2025, 04:17 PM)Soonerpeace Wrote: The dominating in the trenches by Philly exposed KC and was not scheme. KC . Mahomes looked just like he did at Texas Tech. Now I’m not demeaning Mahomes. But there’s a reason why he didn’t do squat at Tech with Kingsbury as the HC/OC. Give Fangino credit he’s the top DC but the trenches KC lost. Flowers had little bearing.

KC had a bad night..happens to the best of teams and quarterbacks

[ClarkHarris4Prez]

(02-10-2025, 03:55 PM)Whacked Wrote: Mehhh. We have a lot to fix.

Ps. If Zay Flowers doesn’t get hurt a few games ago - the Rat Turds are probably SB Champs IMO.

LOL Do you not remember what Philly did to the Ravens during the season? The Ravens were NOT beating the Eagles in the Super Bowl. The Eagles were far and away the best team this year.

[BFritz21]

(02-11-2025, 10:52 AM)ERIC1 Wrote: KC had a bad night,,nothing  more ..it happens..nor does it any way shape or form that our Bengals will be the new boys on the block  

Mahomes had his lowest passing yards of any season in his career, and keep in mind that's with him playing in week 18 this season. He had more yards in games where he didn't even play all 16 before it went to 17 games.

We lost to KC by one point with a failed PAT attempt, and all that is with a bad offensive line and bad defense.

I don't see how you can look at our team and not assume that we're the new big boys on the block.

[George Cantstandya]

(02-11-2025, 12:56 PM)BFritz21 Wrote: Mahomes had his lowest passing yards of any season in his career, and keep in mind that's with him playing in week 18 this season. He had more yards in games where he didn't even play all 16 before it went to 17 games.

We lost to KC by one point with a failed PAT attempt, and all that is with a bad offensive line and bad defense.

I don't see how you can look at our team and not assume that we're the new big boys on the block.

I get being enthusiastic about the upcoming season and there is nothing wrong with that.  But as of right now there is nothing that says the Bengals are the new big boys on the block IMO.  Right now aside from some coaching changes it is the same team that went 9-8, finished third in the AFCN and missed the playoffs.  There will be some players coming back from injury but nothing screams they are a top team to me right now.  Of course that can change but as mentioned by myself and others maybe it is best to see how free agency and the draft goes and also hope the team can handle the division before worrying about being the top team. They have some work to do this off season and some important holes to fill on offense and defense.

Of course I hope the Bengals improve as well but I think we need to see how things play out. 

Oh and Mahomes didn't play week 18. :)

[BengalYankee]

(02-10-2025, 03:55 PM)Whacked Wrote: Mehhh. We have a lot to fix.

Ps. If Zay Flowers doesn’t get hurt a few games ago - the Rat Turds are probably SB Champs IMO.

(02-10-2025, 04:00 PM)Nate (formerly eliminate08) Wrote: No way the Rats beat the Eagles, no frickin' way.

(02-11-2025, 12:52 PM)ClarkHarris4Prez Wrote: LOL Do you not remember what Philly did to the Ravens during the season? The Ravens were NOT beating the Eagles in the Super Bowl. The Eagles were far and away the best team this year.

The Eagles beat the Ravens in Baltimore. 

No way Eagles lose to the Ravens in a nuetral superbowl  site.

[chopperbobby]

Not with our defense. We spend money on offense. We are a different offense without Tee and it is a pipe dream that we are going to keep him. If ww do no money to pay anyone one else. We still need offense guards and defense line so no. Chiefs have the best coach in the nfl and a front office that can change a team around in an off season. We take 10 years to change things around for the good. We can go the other way in a game.