Bold Predictions for the 2025 Season

[George Cantstandya]

1. Unfortunately Bengals get off to yet another slow start and drop the 1st game at Browns.  McPherson misses a mid range field goal that ends up being the difference. Some people here continue to blame McPherson's struggles on the holder.  "Bungles" will be used on the forum in excess. 

2. Bouncing back the Bengals win the next three games against the Jaguars, Vikings and Broncos.  Some people declare the Bengals are going to win the Super Bowl.  Many exclamation marks are posted!!!!!!!

4. Against Lions up by 7 with only 1:04 left on the clock Zac refuses to lean on the run and calls a passing play on 2nd and 3.  Hutchinson strip sacks Burrow and the Lions score, go for two and are then up by one point.  With 12 seconds left Burrow gets the team close enough for a 56 yard field goal attempt.  McPherson makes it.  Some people give McPherson credit but ignore the holder. Bengals win the game. 

5. They lose the next game to the Packers and Packerbacker starts a thread here stating good game, wishing the Bengals luck for the rest of the season, and hope for a rematch in the Super Bowl.

6. Bengals win the next three Steelers, Jets and Bears.  More exclamation marks are posted and Steelers fans are absent from the Rival Talk forum. 

7.  After the bye they sweep Steelers, embarrass the Patriots, lose to Ravens on Thanksgiving and lose to Bills.  McPherson misses the game winner at Bills.  Some people here continue to blame McPherson's struggles on the holder.  During a tough stretch they lose to the Ravens again week 15.  Ravens fans make an after the fact return to the Rival Talk forum.

8.  They finish the regular season by beating the Dolphins, Cardinals and Browns (who by this point have started 4 different QBs)

9.  Finishing 12-5 they make the playoffs but still don't end up with a first round bye.  They beat the Texans in the first round. As for the result after that....  No prediction.  :)

[*Synric*]

(05-17-2025, 02:00 PM)TecmoBengals Wrote: Brown getting hurt or losing his starting job?

Neither. A true RBBC approach. Brooks fits really well in the offensive scheme and his versatility and IQ will make it a tough time taking him off the field.

(05-17-2025, 02:56 PM)bfine32 Wrote: This must mean you see us moving Rivers inside, as we currently only have 1 rookie guard on the team. 

I could see us starting 0 rookie guards to be more likely, but of course, the title is bold predictions. 

I should have said "two rookies starting at Guard". 

[*PhilHos*]

(05-17-2025, 04:40 PM)George Cantstandya Wrote: 1. Unfortunately Bengals get off to yet another slow start and drop the 1st game at Browns.  McPherson misses a mid range field goal that ends up being the difference. Some people here continue to blame McPherson's struggles on the holder.  "Bungles" will be used on the forum in excess. 

2. Bouncing back the Bengals win the next three games against the Jaguars, Vikings and Broncos.  Some people declare the Bengals are going to win the Super Bowl.  Many exclamation marks are posted!!!!!!!

4. Against Lions up by 7 with only 1:04 left on the clock Zac refuses to lean on the run and calls a passing play on 2nd and 3.  Hutchinson strip sacks Burrow and the Lions score, go for two and are then up by one point.  With 12 seconds left Burrow gets the team close enough for a 56 yard field goal attempt.  McPherson makes it.  Some people give McPherson credit but ignore the holder. Bengals win the game. 

5. They lose the next game to the Packers and Packerbacker starts a thread here stating good game, wishing the Bengals luck for the rest of the season, and hope for a rematch in the Super Bowl.

6. Bengals win the next three Steelers, Jets and Bears.  More exclamation marks are posted and Steelers fans are absent from the Rival Talk forum. 

7.  After the bye they sweep Steelers, embarrass the Patriots, lose to Ravens on Thanksgiving and lose to Bills.  McPherson misses the game winner at Bills.  Some people here continue to blame McPherson's struggles on the holder.  During a tough stretch they lose to the Ravens again week 15.  Ravens fans make an after the fact return to the Rival Talk forum.

8.  They finish the regular season by beating the Dolphins, Cardinals and Browns (who by this point have started 4 different QBs)

9.  Finishing 12-5 they make the playoffs but still don't end up with a first round bye.  They beat the Texans in the first round. As for the result after that....  No prediction.  :)

I'm kinda curious as to what your 3rd prediction is.

[George Cantstandya]

(05-19-2025, 10:18 AM)PhilHos Wrote: I'm kinda curious as to what your 3rd prediction is.

It was that on the morning of May 19th 2025 someone would notice I didn't post number 3.  :)

[*PhilHos*]

(05-19-2025, 10:51 AM)George Cantstandya Wrote: It was that on the morning of May 19th 2025 someone would notice I didn't post number 3.  :)

Sweet! One came true already!

[Isaac Curtis: The Real #85]

1) Another slow start as we lose season opener to an inferior opponent after Trey holds out in camp.

2) A new OL coach does not change much, as ZT is still calling plays. Burrow is regularly under seige. We struggle on 3rd & 4th & short, and are pretty predictable in terms of run/pass,,and the pass heaviest team in the league.

3) Better health and a simpler scheme help the D some, but not a ton. Lack of secondary depth bites us as injuries hit again. Stewart & Murphy are OK-ish but don't really break out. Ditto Jackson & Jenkins.

We are again mediocre. 9-8 or 8-9. Miss the POs. Baltimore, Buffalo, KC, Houston, Chargers, Denver, and Miami make the POs. Taylor is finally fired, butcwe are stuck with mediocre Mikey.