Michigan Muskie

I've been wondering about this. I feel like Fisher and Ogbuehi really can't perform any worse than they have so far, right? Is there any sliver of hope that one or both of them could actually improve? Is all hope lost on Cedric, or could a couple of years of NFL experience, new coach and new approach / attitude actually turn him into a capable lineman? (Same question for both Fisher and Ced.) Or ... are each of them destined for a role no better than average reserve at best? I know none of us is looking through a crystal ball, but the optimist in me doesn't want to give up hope entirely on either one of these guys turning into something of value.

The only reason the Bengals are still in the playoff discussion at all is because of the widespread mediocrity of the AFC. The brutal reality though has already been mentioned on this thread. The Bengals simply cannot run the ball. The unbalanced time of possession and inability to move the chains is a direct result of their anemic running game. They will score some points because there are playmakers on offense, and because the defense will occasionally flip the field with a turnover, but right now this team is not built to compete with a squad like New England, Pittsburgh, or even Jacksonville in the AFC. And some of those high-powered NFC teams like Philly, NO and the Rams would probably throttle Cincy by 3 touchdowns. If the Bengals continue to squeak by the bad-to-middling teams on their remaining schedule (Browns, Bears, Ravens, Lions) they could finish 9-7 and maybe sneak into the 6 seed. Maybe. It's so muddy in there that it's hard to even figure out who to root for because they all play each other. I personally don't see any way they beat the Stealers at home or win in Minnesota save for a fluke or some miraculous revival of the rushing attack. Any Given Sunday, I know ... but for this team it will take more than just one given Sunday. Letting Whit and Zeitler go was suicide for this year. The performance of 70 and 74 may seal our fate for the next couple of years. Unless we hit the jackpot in the draft and sign at least one capable FA lineman, I don't see how any of this improves in the next couple of seasons. If there was ever a time to overhaul, to me, now is the time. And I'm talking from the top down. In the meantime, we can't really look to the Reds yet to salvage that taste of post-season contention, so I'll leave you with this. Go Xavier!

Good: WJ3 continues to improve. His recovery skills are top notch. Defense played well as a unit, other than no answer for Doyle. Bad: Two fumbles, both leading to points. The score, once again, was not indicative of how the defense played. Ugly: I'll do this for you Numbers. The performance of the O-line isn't just ugly, it's critically putrid. I'm surprised Dalton is walking out of PBS under his own power. No need to line up a speedster like John Ross because there's no time for a deep route to develop. We knew the line would be a problem, but it's even worse than I imagined it would be. It's very hard to win an NFL game with a college line, but once again the D bailed them out.

I don't know much if anything about the Vikings roster, but do they have enough depth on the O-Line to consider a trade? Dalvin Cook is likely out for the season so they need a RB. We have one to spare and could sure use an upgrade on the line. Zimmer is like family. Is this plausible?

Just like draft grades, ask me again in about 2-3 years.

The average shelf life of a RB in the NFL is what ... 5 or 6 productive years? If he's really that good, draft him. If he's a bad egg, he'll be gone in a few years anyway. If he leaves his baggage behind, the Bengals strike gold. I'm sure every single NFL team has at least one player that isn't a saint. Except for the Saints.

It's Fan Sided. 'Nuff said.

Denver could lose out to those teams, and Miami could lose out because Tannehill is likely done for the season. Both Denver and Miami could finish 8-8, so if the Bengals finish 8-7-1. The problem is Buffalo. They are 6-7 right now, but have three very winnable games left: Cleveland, Miami, NY Jets. We need them to beat Miami. So can they lose to the Browns or Jets? Maybe the Jets in New York... Hopefully Tennessee will win the AFC South and both Indy and Houston will finish the season at 8-8 or 7-9. A lot needs to happen, including the Bengals winning out which would be a 5-game win streak to close out the season. Fat lady isn't singing yet, but she's doing her warmups.

The two most meaningful games left on the schedule are Pittsburgh at Buffalo today and then the Eagles in Baltimore next week. Mathematically, the Bengals only shot at the post-season is for both Baltimore and Pittsburgh to finish 1-3 (or worse.) I can't see the Stealers losing to Cleveland, so that means they need to lose all the rest of their games, including to Baltimore. And that means the Ravens have to lose all the rest of their games except for the Stealers ... and that includes next week vs. Philadelphia. That's a long shot. A very long shot. But it's a shot. Both teams will obviously have to lose to the Bengals, too. If the Stealers win in Buffalo today, that pretty much seals the deal for the Bengals, short of the Browns pulling off a New Year's Day miracle in Pittsburgh week 17. Of course, the Bengals must win out or all of this is moot. Go Bills!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I don't trust Atlanta -5 1/2 in L.A. Especially is Julio is out. I think the Rams could win that one outright. In addition to the Giants and Packers, I also like San Diego (even) and Miami +115. 4-team ML parlay would carry a nice pay day

What about the Texans game on NFL Network at 8:25 PM on Christmas Eve? Is that a game that is a candidate to get flexed, or is that locked in? I'd really rather that game is played during the day with the other games so the Bengals don't spoil Christmas Eve. It's supposed to be a silent night of peace, not an agonizing night born of frustration.

Deal me in.

Pretty sure that guy was Josh Brown. I think he's available right now and conveniently already wearing stripes.

Remy Abell, Xavier (6'5", 4.65)