2022 Bengals: Glendale or Bust?

Rudy's Curve

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I picked the Bengals to win the SB before the playoffs started, and they're playing very well, but I disagree that Buffalo is the "best team in the league". Not the last few weeks, at least. I think that KC and Philly are both better than Buffalo, and that Cincy will have their hands full with each (but yes, I still think that they'll win the SB).
I was just going by most power ratings which had them as the best. The Niners are #1 by weighted DVOA but the Bills are right there and they had a pretty big HFA, and the Bengals went through them like they were standing still. They might not win it all, but they don't make tests tougher than that and they passed it with flying colors.
 

Rudy's Curve

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I just cannot get over what an incredible performance that was by coach Frank Pollack and the OL down three starters with a guy who'd been a mega bust making his first career start at LT. The backs combined for 27-138-1 while Burrow was barely touched and able to execute the quick passing game to perfection. I have to imagine Cappa will go if he can, but I think they have to give serious consideration to riding with Jackson Carman at LT over Jonah Williams and his dislocated knee.
 

tims4wins

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Huge congrats Rudy. Your Bengals are a hell of a team and proved beyond the shadow of a doubt that last year was no fluke and the best may be yet to come. They’re fun to watch and easy to root for. And they really fought back well after a rough first month.
 

Rudy's Curve

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Huge congrats Rudy. Your Bengals are a hell of a team and proved beyond the shadow of a doubt that last year was no fluke and the best may be yet to come. They’re fun to watch and easy to root for. And they really fought back well after a rough first month.
Much appreciated - it obviously helps there was never a rivalry, but the support from the board has been great. The regression talk dominated the offseason since they were so dependent on go balls to Chase last year, but I don't think people realize how truly bad the OL was. The guys who comprised the 84 combined starts at every position except LT made 11 this year across the league, and they were all as injury replacements (10 by Riley Reiff with the Bears and one Adeniji start once Collins went down). The guys who mostly played LG/C/RG were either out of the league (Quinton Spain, Trey Hopkins) or a healthy scratch almost all year (Carman). It obviously took a lot of luck, but the run they went on last year was nothing short of incredible given that group. The weapons are just too good to be held down with even a passable OL, and they did this without much of a running game before yesterday.

I posted this on Bengals Twitter after they started 0-2 and 2-3 - it probably only shows I have too much time on my hands, but I was trying to speak it into existence: the '80 Raiders fell to 2-3 against a team coached by Marv Levy. They went on to win the Super Bowl. Thirteen years later, the '93 Cowboys fell to 0-2 against another team coached by Levy. They went on to win the Super Bowl. Fourteen years later, the '07 Giants fell to 0-2 against a team coached by Mike McCarthy and, well, yeah. Fifteen years later, the '22 Bengals fell to 0-2 (and started 2-3) against a team coached by...Mike McCarthy. Why not us?
 
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Al Zarilla

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I just cannot get over what an incredible performance that was by coach Frank Pollack and the OL down three starters with a guy who'd been a mega bust making his first career start at LT. The backs combined for 27-138-1 while Burrow was barely touched and able to execute the quick passing game to perfection. I have to imagine Cappa will go if he can, but I think they have to give serious consideration to riding with Jackson Carman at LT over Jonah Williams and his dislocated knee.
Maybe it was because they were down 3 starters in the O-line that your coaches decided to go to an ultra-quick release passing game. Keep Joe upright and clean. I saw a montage of Burrow passes on NFLN this morning and I don't think I've ever seen such quick release passes and so many of them than he got off. Maybe by another Joe years ago.
 

NortheasternPJ

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Huge congrats Rudy. Your Bengals are a hell of a team and proved beyond the shadow of a doubt that last year was no fluke and the best may be yet to come. They’re fun to watch and easy to root for. And they really fought back well after a rough first month.
Loved the game yesterday and couldn’t agree more. Great team, fun to watch and east to root for. Burrow seems to have a lot of Brady like qualities watching the game. Bengals D is no slouch either.
 

Rudy's Curve

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Maybe it was because they were down 3 starters in the O-line that your coaches decided to go to an ultra-quick release passing game. Keep Joe upright and clean. I saw a montage of Burrow passes on NFLN this morning and I don't think I've ever seen such quick release passes and so many of them than he got off. Maybe by another Joe years ago.
That's been their plan all year. The problem is when the line still gets beat, the throws get tipped and some inevitably are picked which is how a bunch of Burrow's INTs were. It helped Miller was gone (and DaQuan Jones definitely would've helped against the run), but the protection was rock solid. I thought they could pull it off, but I never imagined they'd dominate like they did.
 

Al Zarilla

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That's been their plan all year. The problem is when the line still gets beat, the throws get tipped and some inevitably are picked which is how a bunch of Burrow's INTs were. It helped Miller was gone (and DaQuan Jones definitely would've helped against the run), but the protection was rock solid. I thought they could pull it off, but I never imagined they'd dominate like they did.
Well, keep it going, certainly against KC next week. Somehow, somehow the Bengals need to gameplan for Kelce. I didn't even watch the AFCCG last year, figuring it would be a romp for KC. Did they take out or neutralize Kelce in that game?
 

Rudy's Curve

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Well, keep it going, certainly against KC next week. Somehow, somehow the Bengals need to gameplan for Kelce. I didn't even watch the AFCCG last year, figuring it would be a romp for KC. Did they take out or neutralize Kelce in that game?
He's gone for 5-25-1, 10-95-1 (AFCCG) and 4-56 against them the last year-plus. They also may be missing Tre Flowers, a long, lanky corner they use to cover TEs and was out yesterday with a hamstring. They still gave up their share to Knox yesterday, so they could really use him back.
 
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Marciano490

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Well, keep it going, certainly against KC next week. Somehow, somehow the Bengals need to gameplan for Kelce. I didn't even watch the AFCCG last year, figuring it would be a romp for KC. Did they take out or neutralize Kelce in that game?
No they did not.

60368
 

Rudy's Curve

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Loved the game yesterday and couldn’t agree more. Great team, fun to watch and east to root for. Burrow seems to have a lot of Brady like qualities watching the game. Bengals D is no slouch either.
I'm probably getting way ahead of myself, but the way they turn perceived slights into kicking the other team's ass sounds exactly like Bruschi's interview after the '04 Divisional. Come to think of it, they both beat the media darlings by 17 in the Divisional in the snow. Just saying...
 

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The Bengals offense is just such a blast to watch. It’s so complete. They have the star QB, the really good RB (when Mixon is running like that, goodnight), a star WR in Chase, another really good WR in Higgins, a reliable slot WR in Boyd, and a dependable TE in Hurst. The OL is really the only weakness because of injuries and they were great. And then you have a really good defense, a really good K, and one of the best young coaches in the league. This team has it all.

Really rooting hard for these guys this week.
 

DanoooME

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He's gone for 5-25-1, 10-95-1 (AFCCG) and 4-56 against them the last year-plus. They also may be missing Tre Flowers, a long, lanky corner they use to cover TEs and was out yesterday with a hamstring. They still gave up their share to Knox yesterday, so they could really use him back.
Good to see Tre doing well. Don't understand why Pete couldn't find a way to use him like Cincy does.
 

Rudy's Curve

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Good to see Tre doing well. Don't understand why Pete couldn't find a way to use him like Cincy does.
They’ve pretty much exclusively used him on TEs since he got here a year and a half ago - he was forced into playing outside CB on MNF in Cleveland this year and it, uhh, wasn’t good. It’s quite surprising a DB guru like Pete couldn’t use him correctly, but he’s just too big to be an outside corner. He’s much more natural in this S/LB TE role, plus he’s become one of their core special teamers.
 

Rudy's Curve

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Well, that was quite the thud of an ending. It followed pretty much the same script of their first three losses where they got down by double digits early and spent the whole game catching up before losing on the last possession. I would've bet anything they were winning after the 3rd and 16 conversion, so this is a pretty tough way to go out. There's a reason they gave Cappa $40 million five minutes into free agency - he largely shut down Jones last meeting and was sorely missed yesterday. La'el Collins struggled with speed rushers before he got hurt, but I don't think Jones would've bullied him on the edge like he did to Hakeem Adeniji. Add in some inopportune breakdowns and voila.

I'll post a detailed roster breakdown later, but I think they'll largely be running it back. Bates is certainly gone and Pratt very well might be, but they'll have to be bowled over to trade Higgins. Oh well, just gotta keep banging on the door and one of these years they'll break it down.
 

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After they started the season 0-2, I felt like we were seeing yet another example of a Super Bowl losing team following up that loss with a terrible hangover of a season. They clearly threw that idea out the window. As the commentators said post-game last night, it certainly seems likely that we are not done with the Burrow/Mahomes rivalry.
 

Rudy's Curve

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After they started the season 0-2, I felt like we were seeing yet another example of a Super Bowl losing team following up that loss with a terrible hangover of a season. They clearly threw that idea out the window. As the commentators said post-game last night, it certainly seems likely that we are not done with the Burrow/Mahomes rivalry.
They were 0-2. They were 2-3. They were 4-4, 0-3 in the division and had just lost Chase for a month and Awuzie (a top-10 CB) for the year. I pretty much wrote them off. Then they ripped off 10 in a row before yesterday. The culture is clearly there. Hopefully Burrow can finally have a normal offseason/camp (2020 Covid, 2021 ACL, 2022 appendectomy), they can come out firing out of the gates and maybe have this game in Cincinnati next year. For now, it just really fucking sucks.
 

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Sorry, Rudy. That was a rough way to go out. This Bengals teams is just a very fun squad and obviously quite good. Hope one of these years you guys break through. I know there probably feels a little more pressure these next couple of seasons before Chase/Burrow get their mega contracts.
 

tims4wins

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They were 0-2. They were 2-3. They were 4-4, 0-3 in the division and had just lost Chase for a month and Awuzie (a top-10 CB) for the year. I pretty much wrote them off. Then they ripped off 10 in a row before yesterday. The culture is clearly there. Hopefully Burrow can finally have a normal offseason/camp (2020 Covid, 2021 ACL, 2022 appendectomy), they can come out firing out of the gates and maybe have this game in Cincinnati next year. For now, it just really fucking sucks.
I mentioned it multiple times in the game thread yesterday, but their mental toughness is just off the charts impressive. Totally agree about the culture.
 

Rudy's Curve

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Here's how I see the roster of guys who saw significant action this year:

QB
Joe Burrow - firmly entrenched as a top-five QB and probably #2. Will get paid this offseason but shouldn't have huge cap numbers for another couple years.

RB
Joe Mixon - averaged 3.9 YPC in a year the league averaged 4.5. Turns 27 in July with almost 1500 career carries. I'd like for them to move on and find a solution in the draft.
Samaje Perine - upper-echelon backup headed to free agency. I'd like to bring him back, especially if they move on from Mixon.
Trayveon Williams - feels like he's been cut a million times over his rookie deal but became the kick returner down the stretch and did a decent job. Could probably upgrade though as he heads to free agency.

WR/TE
Ja'Marr Chase - elite WR1 who missed a month but showed no ill effects once he came back. Eligible for extension after next year.
Tee Higgins - borderline WR1 with occasional drop issues but can make high-point catches like few others as we saw last night. Eligible for extension - there'll be a lot of chatter about a trade, but the Bengals will need to be bowled over. I would bet on him being back.
Tyler Boyd - reliable slot receiver slowed down a little bit at age 28. Heading into the final year of his extension and could be his last in stripes given how much money they'll devote there.
Trenton Irwin - had been riding the practice squad shuttle for years and developed into a quality WR4 option. That's probably all he is, but a solid depth piece.
Trent Taylor - good punt returner who could face some competition, but I wouldn't mind having him back.
Hayden Hurst - pretty much what was expected. Wouldn't mind having him back for a year again, but also an area they need to look in the draft.

OL
LT Jonah Williams - average starter who will play next year on fifth-year option and may have to fight for his job in camp. Tough to see an extension given the ones looming.
LG Cordell Volson - did about as well as expected for a rookie moving from FCS tackle to NFL guard. Don't see a ton of ceiling but should be a solid starter for a few years.
C Ted Karras - FA signee who acclimated himself seamlessly - voted a captain and was the best quote on the team. Quality starter under contract for two more years.
RG Alex Cappa - their marquee FA signing who delivered as advertised. Freak injury cost him the postseason and is probably the reason I'm writing this now.
RT La'el Collins - aggravated back injury before camp and was never able to fully get on track before tearing ACL in December. Still a powerful run blocker and can hold up against bigger DEs but really struggled with speed. Not sure if he can be cut while injured but would like to see them find an upgrade.
Hakeem Adeniji - stepped in at RT when Collins went down and was his most natural position after struggling at LT and RG his first two years. Solid depth piece but shouldn't be a starter.
Max Scharping - waiver claim at cutdown with a bunch of starting experience. Headed to FA and can probably be a low-end starter for someone.
Jackson Carman - 2021 second-rounder was a disaster at RG last year, lost the LG job in camp and appeared to be headed firmly to the bust pile as he was a healthy scratch all year. Stepped in at LT when Williams got hurt and looked much more natural in his college position. I'd expect them to compete in camp for that job.

DE
Trey Hendrickson - sack numbers were down this year but still a pressure machine. Just turned 28 and should still be very productive for remaining two years of deal.
Sam Hubbard - very good all-around DE had his best pass rushing year. Would like to see him more inside in passing situations as he doesn't have the traits of upper-echelon pass rushers.
Joseph Ossai - missed all his rookie year with concerns it would be a longer-term injury than that but provided some good pass rush. Likely just a nickel rusher but hopefully can be a very productive one a year further removed from the injury.
Cam Sample - kind of a poor man's Hubbard. Nothing flashy, but developed into a nice rotational piece in second year.

DT
DJ Reader - elite NT who's the linchpin of the defense. Had some tough injuries in three years here but his impact is undeniable. Headed into the last year of his deal at age 29 and would like to extend him given how important he is, and I think his game will age well.
BJ Hill - 2021 cutdown trade acquisition steal was exactly as advertised in first year of three-year deal. Really good 3T who can rush the passer and play the run.
Zach Carter - third-rounder had a quiet start to the year but started to make plays down the stretch. Excited to see what's in store in year two.
Jay Tufele - cutdown waiver claim from Jacksonville became a decent rotational piece. Solid, cheap depth.
Josh Tupou - actually the longest tenured Bengal on defense and has been a good run stuffer for years, but they may move on with emergence of Carter and Tufele.

LB
Logan Wilson - quality starter who can run sideline to sideline but gets washed away sometimes in the run game. Headed to final year of rookie deal but will already be 27 in camp. I think he'll be extended.
Germaine Pratt - took a huge step in contract year to become an upper-echelon player. I think he priced himself out of their range, especially given a possible Wilson extension.
Markus Bailey - ST stalwart who could fill Pratt's role next year in last year of rookie deal. Highly productive player in college before injury caused him to slip.
Akeem Davis-Gaither - another 2020 LB who's a bit undersized but has a role against speed. Will also be in the mix for Pratt's snaps, plus I could see them draft one.

CB
Chidobe Awuzie - 2021 FA played at elite level for a year and a half before tearing ACL Week 8. Hopefully will be ready for camp but need to stock up there given that and he's headed into the last year of his deal.
Eli Apple - volatile lightning rod but generally solid in coverage despite what people may want to think. Got him back fairly cheaply for a year last year and would be interested in something similar.
Cam Taylor-Britt - rookie second-rounder missed a bunch of time in camp/early season and was thrust into action after Awuzie went down. Worked through some coverage inconsistencies but a really good tackler who should be a quality starter.
Mike Hilton - I was ready to call him the best nickel in the league before yesterday, but he had an awful game - still a really good player who's an excellent blitzer and tackler despite only being 5'9/185. Under contract at a bargain rate for two more years.
Tre Flowers - 2021 midseason waiver acquisition listed at CB but plays more like a safety as he's used to cover TEs with his 6'3 frame. Brought him back on a cheap one-year deal last year and would be interested in it again.

S
Jessie Bates - franchised this year but the writing has been on the wall for a year and a half once they couldn't extend him before 2021. Will be paid handsomely by someone else.
Vonn Bell - also headed to FA. Solid box safety who had his best year in coverage and a leader on defense. Just turned 28 - I'd like to see if they can get him back for two years.
Dax Hill - first-rounder had a rough rookie year between shuffling around on defense and some dumb special teams penalties. He was Bates' replacement from the moment he was drafted and I'm excited to see him step into that role - he was an excellent prospect and my hopes are still high.
Michael Thomas - ST captain who turns 33 in March but would like to have him back in that role if he wants to keep playing.

ST
K Evan McPherson - rookie revelation had a rough sophomore year. Huge leg but very inconsistent on shorter kicks. Still trust him in a big spot but needs to be more consistent.
P Drue Chrisman - took over midseason after team finally moved on from Kevin Huber. Probably an average punter who had a rough game yesterday and should face competition.

This is largely going to be the same team next year. OL and CB are the two biggest needs and they can definitely upgrade at RB and TE along with more speed at WR. Burrow will be extended for sure but it's a little murky after that. I think Reader is still priority #2, but Wilson and Higgins are also up there and they can't extend everyone. Thankfully, they've also become a much better organization around the edges which will still allow them to compete once guys start getting paid.
 
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Rudy's Curve

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Sorry, Rudy. That was a rough way to go out. This Bengals teams is just a very fun squad and obviously quite good. Hope one of these years you guys break through. I know there probably feels a little more pressure these next couple of seasons before Chase/Burrow get their mega contracts.
Yep, and not that there's any love lost between the fanbase and Mike Brown but he's 87 and who knows if he'll see one. It's just really hard to win the Super Bowl especially in today's AFC - even the Pats went nine years without it in the middle of the dynasty. They'll never give out the huge guarantees, but at least they spend in FA now and it definitely looks like Burrow will be here a long time. One of these years...
 

Rudy's Curve

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I mentioned it multiple times in the game thread yesterday, but their mental toughness is just off the charts impressive. Totally agree about the culture.
I was guilty of wanting Zac gone after 6-25-1 (mostly because I didn't want him to begin with), but he just came in so green both in terms of age and experience. I'll always love Marvin, but his teams folded all the time in the spots they were in last night and the locker room has done a complete 180. They've got themselves a coach.
 

Justthetippett

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I agree. I don’t really see the argument for trading Higgins. I see this discussed a lot but how many contending teams successfully trade their number 2 receiving options? Look at Dallas for how that works out when the competition gets stiff in the playoffs. Assuming the money is not insane, better to go all in over a three/four year window and then pick up the pieces from there. By then Burrow can probably drag a 7 win team to 10-11 wins and the playoffs anyways, plus you start getting the vets coming over for rental/end of career deals.
 

InstaFace

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Well, that was quite the thud of an ending. It followed pretty much the same script of their first three losses where they got down by double digits early and spent the whole game catching up before losing on the last possession. I would've bet anything they were winning after the 3rd and 16 conversion, so this is a pretty tough way to go out. There's a reason they gave Cappa $40 million five minutes into free agency - he largely shut down Jones last meeting and was sorely missed yesterday. La'el Collins struggled with speed rushers before he got hurt, but I don't think Jones would've bullied him on the edge like he did to Hakeem Adeniji. Add in some inopportune breakdowns and voila.

I'll post a detailed roster breakdown later, but I think they'll largely be running it back. Bates is certainly gone and Pratt very well might be, but they'll have to be bowled over to trade Higgins. Oh well, just gotta keep banging on the door and one of these years they'll break it down.
yeah if I were in your position I'd be pretty bummed today, because clearly it was there for the taking... but after I cooled down in a few days, my perspective would be that maintaining a competing roster will only keep getting harder for KC and Buffalo as their QB cost hikes are about to hit. Josh Allen will go from $16M this year to $39M next year and $41M in '24; Mahomes from $36 this year to $47 next year. Whereas Burrow will still be on the final year of his rookie deal next year, of course, and has a 5th-year option for 2024, and even after that while he'll be in line for a mega-deal himself, you can usually cap-manage that for the first few years just as Allen and Mahomes' deals have been. So I think the trend for the Bengals is up, whereas it will be hard to go anywhere but down for KC and BUF.
 

Rudy's Curve

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yeah if I were in your position I'd be pretty bummed today, because clearly it was there for the taking... but after I cooled down in a few days, my perspective would be that maintaining a competing roster will only keep getting harder for KC and Buffalo as their QB cost hikes are about to hit. Josh Allen will go from $16M this year to $39M next year and $41M in '24; Mahomes from $36 this year to $47 next year. Whereas Burrow will still be on the final year of his rookie deal next year, of course, and has a 5th-year option for 2024, and even after that while he'll be in line for a mega-deal himself, you can usually cap-manage that for the first few years just as Allen and Mahomes' deals have been. So I think the trend for the Bengals is up, whereas it will be hard to go anywhere but down for KC and BUF.
They've obviously already beaten KC in the playoffs, but I think this was the year to really get them between Mahomes' health and how young they are on defense. I don't see them going anywhere, and until their division actually starts beating them they're always going to be a 1-2 seed.
 

InstaFace

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I mean, there aren't a ton of threats to Cincinnati in the AFC North either. Baltimore has totally mis-managed the roster around Lamar Jackson. Pittsburgh and Cleveland may have wished they bottomed out instead of approaching .500. You've got a few years upcoming where your O/U on wins might be in the neighborhood of 12, too.
 

tims4wins

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They've obviously already beaten KC in the playoffs, but I think this was the year to really get them between Mahomes' health and how young they are on defense. I don't see them going anywhere, and until their division actually starts beating them they're always going to be a 1-2 seed.
Mahomes is still undefeated on the road within his division right? They just can't beat him. So he's going basically 6-0 in division every year, and then 8-3 or whatever outside of the division, and wrapping up the 1 seed with relative ease.
 

Rudy's Curve

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I mean, there aren't a ton of threats to Cincinnati in the AFC North either. Baltimore has totally mis-managed the roster around Lamar Jackson. Pittsburgh and Cleveland may have wished they bottomed out instead of approaching .500. You've got a few years upcoming where your O/U on wins might be in the neighborhood of 12, too.
Maybe it sounds a little tough guy-ish, but it just never seems to work that way in the AFC North. No one has ever won it three years in a row and even this year the Bengals only went 3-3 in the division. Meanwhile, Mahomes still hasn't lost a divisional road game and Torey Lovullo was managing the Sox the last time the Broncos beat the Chiefs.
 
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Rudy's Curve

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Mahomes is still undefeated on the road within his division right? They just can't beat him. So he's going basically 6-0 in division every year, and then 8-3 or whatever outside of the division, and wrapping up the 1 seed with relative ease.
The Chargers have gotten him twice at Arrowhead (plus a third time against backups but that doesn't count) and the Raiders got him once there while the Chiefs just tied the Pats win streak against the Bills from the 00s with the Broncos. It makes it pretty tough for anyone else to win like that.
 
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Rudy's Curve

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Mahomes is still undefeated on the road within his division right? They just can't beat him. So he's going basically 6-0 in division every year, and then 8-3 or whatever outside of the division, and wrapping up the 1 seed with relative ease.
Just adding on this - Mahomes is 26-3 in the division (didn't play the last game in '20) which is .897 ball. Even taking out games Brady didn't finish (05 Dolphins/14 Bills finales, 08 season, 16 Dolphins/Bills games during suspension), the Pats still "only" played .837 ball in the division from 03-19. As you know, it's really hard to catch someone when they're just bludgeoning their division every year.
 

tims4wins

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Just adding on this - Mahomes is 26-3 in the division (didn't play the last game in '20) which is .897 ball. Even taking out games Brady didn't finish (05 Dolphins/14 Bills finales, 08 season, 16 Dolphins/Bills games during suspension), the Pats still "only" played .837 ball in the division from 03-19. As you know, it's really hard to catch someone when they're just bludgeoning their division every year.
Is that .837 right? I thought they were more in the .750-770 range under Brady. Roughly averaging 4.5-1.5 per year. And then roughly averaging 7.5-2.5 outside of the division, for a 12-4 overall record. Of course, with 2 byes it was also a lot easier to get a bye. The Pats were the 2 seed in 2001, 2004, and 2018. I think also when they made the SB in 2011 but can't remember.
 

Rudy's Curve

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Is that .837 right? I thought they were more in the .750-770 range under Brady. Roughly averaging 4.5-1.5 per year. And then roughly averaging 7.5-2.5 outside of the division, for a 12-4 overall record. Of course, with 2 byes it was also a lot easier to get a bye. The Pats were the 2 seed in 2001, 2004, and 2018. I think also when they made the SB in 2011 but can't remember.
They were the 1 in '11.

They played 102 division games from '03-19. Take out the 10 Brady didn't finish and they were 76-16 (I was off by a game before) in those 92: 03 Bills A, 04 Dolphins A, 06 Jets H, 06 Dolphins A, 09 Jets A, 09 Dolphins A, 10 Jets A, 11 Bills A, 13 Jets A, 13 Dolphins A, 14 Dolphins A, 15 Jets A, 15 Dolphins A, 17 Dolphins A, 18 Dolphins A, 19 Dolphins H, which is .826. Jesus Christ, they were 30-1 against the Bills in games completed by Brady and Cassel from after the Milloy game through 19.
 
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DeadlySplitter

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The Pats have been there where a OL decimated by injuries ruined a season - 2015-16 season. Feeling for Bengals fans, they just needed one more piece healthy yesterday.
 

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The Pats have been there where a OL decimated by injuries ruined a season - 2015-16 season. Feeling for Bengals fans, they just needed one more piece healthy yesterday.
They really needed Cappa. Carman held up fine at LT and Adeniji got bullied a couple times when Jones moved outside but the interior pressure is what killed them, just like last year. It's a miracle they almost won it then with that OL going up against Simmons, Jones and Donald. They addressed the problem immediately in free agency, the guy has a great year and suffers a freak injury right before the playoffs. Combine that with some rather dubious calls and this is the result.
 

Rudy's Curve

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 4, 2006
2,333
So to answer the thread header question: Bust?
I suppose - I remember I honestly couldn't think of a good title. That being said, the season is largely a success for the longterm viability of the organization. Only four other SB losers in the last 29 years (11-12 Pats, 12-13 Niners, 17-18 Pats, 20-21 Chiefs) made it back to the CG. Between that and the way they achieved success last year, everybody and their brother had them as a top regression candidate. They broke in an almost entirely new OL, Burrow missed a bunch of camp, they lost Reader for six games, Chase for four, Awuzie for the year midseason, Cappa for the playoffs, they only played seven home games, the league fucked them every which way imaginable with the playoff scenarios and they still came within a bunch of horseshit calls of going back. This team has the heart of a lion and they're not going away anytime soon. They're going to be in the mix every year and one of these years they'll finally break the door down.
 
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BigSoxFan

Member
SoSH Member
May 31, 2007
47,088
"Documents said on Jan. 21, Mixon allegedly pointed a firearm at the victim stating, "You should be popped in the face, I should shoot you, the police can't get me."
https://www.wlwt.com/article/cincinnati-police-arrest-warrant-bengals-joe-mixon-aggravated-menacing/42749402#
View: https://twitter.com/NFL_DovKleiman/status/1621292789324447744?s=20&t=XOEjX_nip-EaqvO2dfT9ng
Really shocking that a guy who punched a girl in the face would (allegedly) do something like this…
 

Rudy's Curve

Member
SoSH Member
Jul 4, 2006
2,333
Yep, that’ll do it for him as he was already a cut candidate. It’s a shame since this is their first real incident under Zac (Mark Walton, a Marvin pick and total moron, got in trouble right after Zac took over) and Mixon had been a model citizen from the time he was drafted. I guess a tiger really can’t change its stripes.
 

Justthetippett

New Member
Aug 9, 2015
2,391
I’m really tired and first read this as getting pooped in the face. Getting popped is less funny, and worse. Yeah, see you in the USFL, Joe.
 

Marciano490

Urological Expert
SoSH Member
Nov 4, 2007
62,312
Yep, that’ll do it for him as he was already a cut candidate. It’s a shame since this is their first real incident under Zac (Mark Walton, a Marvin pick and total moron, got in trouble right after Zac took over) and Mixon had been a model citizen from the time he was drafted. I guess a tiger really can’t change its stripes.
Bengals really didn’t learn a lesson here, huh? He didn’t fuck up until he just about washed out anyways. Home run for them.
 

BigSoxFan

Member
SoSH Member
May 31, 2007
47,088
Bengals really didn’t learn a lesson here, huh? He didn’t fuck up until he just about washed out anyways. Home run for them.
Yeah. They can wait to cut post June 1 (gathering information yada yada yada) and only incur $2.75M cap this year and next. Bengals made out like bandits here. They got his prime years at a reasonable cost.