And it got worse for him from there.

 

---

 

Now the Bengals need to make a point and win on Monday night next week.

 

Funny how bengals fans are quick to forget the initial loss we handed to them. Yeah, the Browns lost and it was a crappy team performance all around, but at the end of the day, we split the series this year. Yeah, you guys will make the playoffs. So rep the AFC north well. Someone needs to...

And it got worse for him from there.

 

---

 

Now the Bengals need to make a point and win on Monday night next week.

 

Funny how bengals fans are quick to forget the initial loss we handed to them. Yeah, the Browns lost and it was a crappy team performance all around, but at the end of the day, we split the series this year. Yeah, you guys will make the playoffs. So rep the AFC north well. Someone needs to...

 

You seem to be conveniently ignoring all the trash talk on the Browns thread. Even when Manziel has an open lane, he still can't throw over people. Total domination.

 

Enough of that. We need one more win.  Beating the Bronco's and the steelers could get the Bengals the #2 seed. Then again lose them both they will be out.

24-3 doesn't look quite so horrible anymore.

Payton got hurt.

I'm rooting for you guys. But Dalton, wow, he looks shaky.

I'm rooting for you guys. But Dalton, wow, he looks shaky.

 

Dalton looked bad today, but if it is Brown flush it down.

And it got worse for him from there.

 

---

 

Now the Bengals need to make a point and win on Monday night next week.

 

Funny how bengals fans are quick to forget the initial loss we handed to them. Yeah, the Browns lost and it was a crappy team performance all around, but at the end of the day, we split the series this year. Yeah, you guys will make the playoffs. So rep the AFC north well. Someone needs to...

 

You seem to be conveniently ignoring all the trash talk on the Browns thread. Even when Manziel has an open lane, he still can't throw over people. Total domination.

 

 

Most of the talk in the Browns thread is started from you guys... Total domination? Yes. Did we do the same to you guys last game? Yes. Can't say one bad thing about our QBs without having an equal or worse for yours.

 

Nonetheless, I'm rooting for you guys in the playoffs. I just don't feel it can be all one-sided when we split the serious nearly equally.

We were 1-0 against the Bengals this year.  Unfortunately, our season ended early at 7-6.  Then we sent out a joker with a Browns uniform and a 2 on the back to play a few exhibition games to finish the year out.

There are so many entertaining gifs and videos floating around after this game, but this old one had me laughing the most.

 

CINCINNATI BENGALS

 

Cincinnati can clinch the AFC North division title with:

1) CIN win + PIT loss + BAL loss or tie

 

Cincinnati can clinch a playoff spot with:

1) CIN win

2) CIN tie + BAL loss

3) CIN tie + KC loss or tie + SD loss or tie

4) KC loss + SD loss + BUF loss or tie

Talk radio boo-birds were still overly focused on Dalton and weaknesses in Sunday's play.  It's like, sit back and enjoy the 30-0 victory for a moment.  They don't come along too often!

I couldn't resist

 

<img src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1503825_10155006099645604_8360343997041488762_n.jpg?oh=859ea22d152ac4cc48c8ccf41d4f18c7&oe=554102FD&__gda__=1427282884_6b6a8f9357e7774460c56661ed8033c8" alt="" border="0" onload="NcodeImageResizer.createOn(this);" class="bbc_img">

 

Good win for the team today. I really hope they look for a better QB in the future. Andy is not the answer. Thank gawd for the running game.

That's how elite teams get it done. Who Dey!

Last two weeks in review:

 

The Browns are who we thought they were. The Bengals might be who we hope they are.

Good win for the team today. I really hope they look for a better QB in the future. Andy is not the answer. Thank gawd for the running game.

 

We're probably not seeing Andy go anywhere soon. I would imagine he is here until at least the 2018-19 season. I don't think he is a great QB, but a great QB isn't needed to win Super Bowls. Look at Flacco, Roethlisberger, and Eli Manning. None of them are great. I think we will be sadly disappointed if we keep the bar at Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, and Aaron Rodgers. We have to work with what we have. And it could be worse. We could have been the team that signed Jay Cutler.

Peyton Manning had four times as many interceptions as Andy Dalton. That's a stat I wouldn't have believed prior to watching that game.

 

 

Another big Bengals win, another post-game talk radio show dominated by Andy Dalton hatred. 

 

Since when did any of those "elite" quarterbacks play both sides of the ball?  I don't get why there is such an obsession with QB's when they're on the field less than half of the time.  Each NFL game has maybe 1-2 true old-fashioned drives, only a few "brilliant" offensive plays where the QB can take credit.  The rest of the scoring (or big plays that lead to scoring opportunities) is missed tackles, special teams, penalties, turnovers, and other flukes. 

 

That's true of the Bengals, less so of other teams. The Bengals have been like that for 8 years at least. That's what makes their style of play strange and it's why they lose in the playoffs. Teams that win Super Bowls do score often from drives. The college game is also very dependent on drives.

That's true of the Bengals, less so of other teams. The Bengals have been like that for 8 years at least. That's what makes their style of play strange and it's why they lose in the playoffs. Teams that win Super Bowls do score often from drives. The college game is also very dependent on drives.

 

I'm sorry, but this comment is so completely unsupported (and wrong) I am not sure what to make of it.  The Bengals are one of the absolute worst in the NFL at scoring non-offensive touchdowns (i.e., scoring via interception returns, kickoff returns, etc.).  They are 26th in average non-offensive touchdowns.  Or, put another way, the Bengals score a much higher percentage of points as a result of their offensive drives than other teams in the NFL.

 

http://www.teamrankings.com/nfl/stat/other-touchdowns-per-game

 

And using that stat, you can look back up to 12 years and see there is only one year--last year--where they scored a fairly high number of non-offensive touchdowns.  (Last year they were 3rd in non-offensive touchdowns per game.)  Instead, they tend to be in the middle or towards the bottom (finishing last or next to last on more than one occasion). 

http://www.footballoutsiders.com/stats/drivestatsoff2014

 

This is perhaps an even better example.  The Bengals are right in the middle of the league in terms of the number of yards they average per drive, and 15th in the league in terms of points per drive.  Certainly not the case that they are somehow overly reliant on non-drive scoring. 

In 2013 they were 3rd though. That might be where I gained that perception.

Last two weeks in review:

 

The Browns are who we thought they were. The Bengals might be who we hope they are.

 

Why do you feel the need to troll the Browns so hard both in this thread and in theirs? I get it during the week we play, but outside of that it just seems unnecessary. Trying to stir that UO pot I guess...

Statistical trends don't matter.  Do some reading on sports betting.  A professional sports better only has to be right 6 out of 11 times.

 

Most people think that if we hadn't fumbled inside the 10 last night that we would have blown out Denver.  Actually we could have lost.  What takes place in these games is simply too chaotic. 

Another big Bengals win, another post-game talk radio show dominated by Andy Dalton hatred. 

 

Since when did any of those "elite" quarterbacks play both sides of the ball?  I don't get why there is such an obsession with QB's when they're on the field less than half of the time.  Each NFL game has maybe 1-2 true old-fashioned drives, only a few "brilliant" offensive plays where the QB can take credit.  The rest of the scoring (or big plays that lead to scoring opportunities) is missed tackles, special teams, penalties, turnovers, and other flukes.

 

I think the comments about Andy are because last night we won in spite of him, not because of him. He was over throwing receivers all game, had one pick 6, and was damn lucky to not have another 2-3 interceptions. He just as easily could have had the same amount of INTs as Peyton last night, had it not been for the cornerbacks dropping balls. We won last night because of our running game and great field position from special teams. Dalton had something like 145 yards for the whole game, which simply isn't going to cut it most weeks. He had some decent moments, especially the bootleg runs and the little floater td to Gresham, but over all, he looked VERY shaky for most of the game. Maybe the win last night will help take some of that prime time pressure off him and he can perform a bit better in the future.

 

I'm also really glad that the Bengals are finishing the season with two primetime games against playoff teams. They're essentially in playoff atmospheres for 3 weeks in a row, which should help them not look totally shell shocked come playoff time, as they have looked the last 3 years.

In 2013 they were 3rd though. That might be where I gained that perception.

 

True, though that was something of an outlier.

 

Of course, as a Bengals fan, I will take the points any way they can get them!  ;)

Statistical trends don't matter.  Do some reading on sports betting.  A professional sports better only has to be right 6 out of 11 times.

 

Most people think that if we hadn't fumbled inside the 10 last night that we would have blown out Denver.  Actually we could have lost.  What takes place in these games is simply too chaotic. 

 

I have no idea what you are even saying here.  If you don't know about the statistical work being done by websites like these, I don't know what to tell you.  There are reasons that pro sports are moving toward statistical analyses and hiring people like that in the front offices. 

 

And while the games may be chaotic, you can track win probabilities to pretty minute levels based on literally decades of statistical analyses and thousands upon thousands of plays and scenarios that track what is going on in a game like last night. 

Statistical trends don't matter.  Do some reading on sports betting.  A professional sports better only has to be right 6 out of 11 times.

 

Most people think that if we hadn't fumbled inside the 10 last night that we would have blown out Denver.  Actually we could have lost.  What takes place in these games is simply too chaotic. 

 

I have no idea what you are even saying here.  If you don't know about the statistical work being done by websites like these, I don't know what to tell you.  There are reasons that pro sports are moving toward statistical analyses and hiring people like that in the front offices. 

 

And while the games may be chaotic, you can track win probabilities to pretty minute levels based on literally decades of statistical analyses and thousands upon thousands of plays and scenarios that track what is going on in a game like last night.

 

If I may intersect, I think jmeck is talking more about the "micro" level, saying small details and swings of a game, execution, matter most, i.e. in the heat of the  moment type deals.

 

I think jdm you are talking more on the "macro" level.  Statistical trends do matter over periods of time.  Coaches and GMs do look at these to make personnel decisions.  Football is turning more in the way of baseball statistics, like Money Ball, where on base percentage, on base plus slugging, are key stats you can look at for player personnel.

 

So in this instance, Andy Dalton is probably measured by his coaches on turnovers, completion percentage, 3rd down %.  Those are the big metrics on QB's and probably is in line with successful teams.  But then you look at Defense, running game, etc to put it all together, so it's like sliding metrics how teams build themselves.

 

The Bengals are more of a defense oriented, ground and pound team, who also happen to have a top 3 wide receiver to open up the defense for Andy Dalton to do what he does best, short and intermediate passes.  Their metrics have worked for them the past 4 years.

 

Now if you look at the Pats, or the Packers, or a team like San Diego, they are much more reliant on the passing game, so they build their team around Quarterbacks that can make a ton of plays with their arms.  They don't rely on the ground game as much as the Bengals, though the Packers can have a strong ground game at times and rely on it more the past 2 years than they have in the past.

 

Now, is not having a player like Tom Brady, Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers holding back the Bengals from winning a championship?  That could be the truth, and I think teams are looking at past data on super bowl winners and what set them apart from playoff participants, like the Bengals.

Statistical trends don't matter.  Do some reading on sports betting.  A professional sports better only has to be right 6 out of 11 times.

 

Most people think that if we hadn't fumbled inside the 10 last night that we would have blown out Denver.  Actually we could have lost.  What takes place in these games is simply too chaotic. 

 

I have no idea what you are even saying here.  If you don't know about the statistical work being done by websites like these, I don't know what to tell you.  There are reasons that pro sports are moving toward statistical analyses and hiring people like that in the front offices. 

 

And while the games may be chaotic, you can track win probabilities to pretty minute levels based on literally decades of statistical analyses and thousands upon thousands of plays and scenarios that track what is going on in a game like last night. 

 

On one hand we have an attempt at deep statistical analysis, on the other hand the perception of sports is massively distorted by ESPN jock sniffing.  Everyone's looking for some key metric and some critical player that offers the brilliant, repeatable insight.  No such thing exists. 

 

There's a strong parallel between all this commotion and stock market speculation.  Read people tweeting about IPO's and erratic stock behavior and compare it to sports speculation -- it's the same thing. 

 

 

 

If you want to look at the newest technology for statistical analysis in football, read this link.

 

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/11121315/florida-state-seminoles-coach-jimbo-fisher-use-gps-technology-win-national-championship

Last two weeks in review:

 

The Browns are who we thought they were. The Bengals might be who we hope they are.

 

Why do you feel the need to troll the Browns so hard both in this thread and in theirs? I get it during the week we play, but outside of that it just seems unnecessary. Trying to stir that UO pot I guess...

 

1) That game is still a recent memory, and had a big impact on both teams.

 

2) Their quarterback drama is ongoing and compelling. It's been of interest nationally.

 

3) Since the game, I am talking less smack and more like I would about the Bengals if they had gotten blown out and Dalton went all Bad-Andy. Manziel doesn't deserve respect from anyone right now, least of all Browns fans.

 

I sympathize with them having to see their playoff hopes dashed in the last couple weeks. It could have happened to us. I really wish all the AFC North teams could still have a winning record, and I certainly would prefer to have them in the position of Pittsburgh or Baltimore right now.

Last two weeks in review:

 

The Browns are who we thought they were. The Bengals might be who we hope they are.

 

Why do you feel the need to troll the Browns so hard both in this thread and in theirs? I get it during the week we play, but outside of that it just seems unnecessary. Trying to stir that UO pot I guess...

 

1) That game is still a recent memory, and had a big impact on both teams.

 

2) Their quarterback drama is ongoing and compelling. It's been of interest nationally.

 

3) Since the game, I am talking less smack and more like I would about the Bengals if they had gotten blown out and Dalton went all Bad-Andy. Manziel doesn't deserve respect from anyone right now, least of all Browns fans.

 

I sympathize with them having to see their playoff hopes dashed in the last couple weeks. It could have happened to us. I really wish all the AFC North teams could still have a winning record, and I certainly would prefer to have them in the position of Pittsburgh or Baltimore right now.

 

I talked smack when it seemed like the Browns were a competent, potential playoff team. Now that it appears they're the same old Browns, it just feels too mean to make fun of them.

Dang AJ, too many turnovers. The Dalton Aj connection since 2011 has more interceptions than any other combo in the entire NFL. 25+ interceptions throwing to AJ. What a dubious stat!!!

Live look at Bengal fans: http://t.co/09c0QgnkWW

With all the coaches out there now.I really hope they get a new one. I would take Rex. 0-6 in playoff games is not getting it done.

Good season Cincy fans. Tough game with all those players out. I wish the Browns could make the playoffs 4 years in a row.

Bengals offense just looked incapacitated. Playing "close to the vest" will not win you many games in today's nfl.

Bengals offense just looked incapacitated. Playing "close to the vest" will not win you many games in today's nfl.

 

Colts pretty much dominated both sides of the ball and Dalton needs great playmakers around him downfield. Colts 4th string RB

was game MVP. Same old song and dance.

Dalton could have the top 5 receivers in the whole NFL and he would still miss them by a mile. Watching him and Luck was like night and day.

 

Good season Cincy fans. Tough game with all those players out. I wish the Browns could make the playoffs 4 years in a row.

 

While I would prefer four years of the playoffs, after a while neither outcome is satisfying.

Without Cincinnati's best player by a mile, AJ Green, it would have taken a minor miracle or some huge mistakes by the Colts for the Bengals to have a chance.  I don't think the casual viewer understands just how good AJ Green is.  He was voted by the players in the league as the 9th best player in the NFL for this year, and 2nd best receiver after Calvin Johnson.

 

If you watched that game, none of the receivers / tight ends were really open the whole game.  There was no separation and Indianapolis was playing straight man and stuffing the running game by stacking the box and blitzing on all downs.  There was no fear on their side of the Bengals passing game since their top two receivers were out (AJ Green and Jermaine Gresham). 

 

Heck, their 3rd string running back in Rex Burkhead was split out wide, and I believe their 3rd string TE was leading the team in receptions yesterday.

 

When I heard AJ Green was out I almost wrote them off, but thought maybe they could squeeze it out.  But when you are playing a team as good as the Colts in the first round of the playoffs, where all teams will have their game plans and focus on lock, there wasn't much of a chance.

 

Maybe the last 3 playoff losses you can pin point on Dalton.  This one you can pin point on the 2nd best receiver on earth being out and the teams 2nd best receiver also out.

 

I know, should have, would have, could have.  You get Marvin Jones, Tyler Eifert, Jermaine Gresham and AJ Green all healthy for next year, and they will be tough to beat, and that includes the playoffs.  If they had them yesterday, no doubt they would win, and possibly be off to the races to the super bowl.

^All good points about Bengals offense, but the Colts made it look way too easy to get down the field for points.  They put 26 up, but could have been close to 40 had they not been protecting the clock the entire fourth quarter.  Watching the fourth quarter was like watching paint dry.  In my opinion, Bengals defense looked terrible. 

^ I don't disagree with you at all on that.  At, was it 23-10, that lead seemed insurmountable so it made sense for the Colts to just run out the clock.  Most definitely they could have put more on the board.

 

I think, though, the reason the Colts were clicking so well on offense in the second half was a function of the Bengals offense not being able to buy a first down.  When the Colts have more opportunity, they can open up the playbook more and do more damage.  That is why a team like the Broncos is so dangerous.  The more opportunities you give Peyton Manning, the more he can pick apart the defense and figure out the tendencies.  Andrew Luck is already very good, and he will continue to grow and get better as his work ethic is top notch.

 

That said, I think it would have been a lot better game if AJ Green was in.  Just as a decoy, that guy can play some serious high level football.

Is there any talk down there about getting rid of Marvin Lewis?  I have never understood how he has been able to keep the job for so long.  I understand he makes the playoffs, but never winning a game there.  Coming from a Browns fan, it is hard, but the only thing I can say from them is, at least they get rid of bad apples.  They just are not lucky, or smart, on how they replace them sometimes.  I do like Pettine though. 

Team mates arguing did not help. Makes it looks like Marvin lost control of the team.

Is there any talk down there about getting rid of Marvin Lewis?  I have never understood how he has been able to keep the job for so long.  I understand he makes the playoffs, but never winning a game there.  Coming from a Browns fan, it is hard, but the only thing I can say from them is, at least they get rid of bad apples.  They just are not lucky, or smart, on how they replace them sometimes.  I do like Pettine though. 

 

You can’t really fire a coach after a playoff season, even if you lose the first round. Though I think Marvin would be on the hot seat should the Bengals have a single losing season, or fail to make the playoffs. I do think the coaching is what loses games for the Bengals, not Dalton, and not injuries. A team like the Bengals shouldn’t lose at home to the Browns by 20 points or get shut out in Indianapolis unless they’re completely unprepared. In all of the Bengals loses this year, they looked like they didn’t practice for the team they were playing against.

 

However, how much room is there to realistically improve coaching? There are only a handful of coaches capable of fielding a playoff caliber team virtually every year.  Look at how many teams have revolving doors for coaches – it’s far more likely the Bengals end up with a worse coach than a better one. It’s not unlike the situation with Dalton – he’s the worst good QB in the NFL. Half of the QBs are better and half are worse, but what are the chances they’re going to make a change that improves upon that? At best, it’s 50/50. At coach, it’s worse; I’d say the Bengals have a 25% chance of hiring someone who does better than Lewis. There’s just a very limited talent pool to pull from.

 

There are a lot of things just slightly wrong with the Bengals, but if they get gutsy and try to fix any one and fail, they risk sinking the whole ship. Historically, they haven’t taken many risks, at all.

 

^ Dusty Baker in 2013 - Wild Card team (90-72)

Dalton is a very capable quarterback, but if Cincy has a chance to upgrade at that position it would be a smart move.  I don't see any glaring weakness on the team and what probably separates it from the more elite playoff teams is the QB position.  I would take a swing with an early round pick.