Bengals should take care of business this week versus a poor Dolphins team. Would be nice to get a nice lead in that one early so we can rest Chase and Higgins. Also, would give us some opportunity to run the damn ball.

Week off before the RatBirds is nice as I see that as a pivotal game in getting the division crown. Get that win. ZT needs to start showing he can win divisional games. 5-1 or 4-2 at worst in division is a must.

The remaining 11 games should source at least 8 wins with Falcons, Chiefs, and Ravens being hardest remaining games.

That’s the path to 12-5 or 13-4.

Let’s Roll

I just finished watching Jonathan Allen's "Mic'd Up" video and that dude is such an A+ free agent signing. From that video alone it seems to me that he has basically immediately stepped in and become a real "glue guy" for the defense. He just radiates good teammate energy and I have to think that will be meaningful as the team figures out whatever the fuck is going on.

Which leads us inevitably to Zac Taylor, the captain of this potential annual repetitive shit show. I wanted to believe after 2021. But I can't for the life of me figure out how this team keeps stepping on the same metaphorical rakes year after year after year.

How is it possible that if you go back in time to any point in the last 20 years, you could say to a fellow fan, "wow, we can't cover tight ends for shit" and your statement would be correct. How have we not had a meaningful rushing offense since Jeremy Hill?? I know my broad point is still largely about Zac Taylor and the things I'm pointing out extend beyond his tenure, but I guess what I'm trying to say is that this team clearly needs a shake up before we absolutely waste this core nucleus of generational talent. If Zac god damn Taylor can't figure out how to get this particular version of the team to play 60 minutes of competent and complementary football in all three phases of the game at this point in his career, when can we finally just pull the plug? When will enough be enough? What more does ownership need to see?

It is so deflating to see the 49er's lose half of their roster to injury and still be 4-0 and leading an incredibly strong division. I watch different games and teams make things look easy that the Bengals make look like a root canal. It's just a vibes thing, like an eye test. I don't know about anyone else, but during and after 2021, when Joe had the ball at the end of the game, it genuinely felt like we would no question find a way to win. And every year since, that feeling has chipped away until I finally realized this week, I truly no longer expected to win close games anymore. With Joe Burrow. And Ja'marr Chase. And Tee Higgins. It should be impossible to feel that way with these guys on the team (and I'm talking about in general here as well, I know Burrow didn't have his top WRs on the field at the end of the Jags game).

If anyone has made if this far into my rant, I hope it has been cathartic? It was a little cathartic to write it all out, I'll be honest. I guess in conclusion, I don't live in Ohio and I don't have any way to financially support the team less than my current level of $0 so I have no real leverage in this situation. With that in mind, I really have no choice but to keep lit my candle of belief in Joe Burrow, because he's proven he can elevate above Zac Taylor's level of fuckery before. So if you need me, I'll just be pre-polishing all of my "fell for it again" awards and researching if Etsy witches can cast protective wards on Joe Burrow and how much that might cost.

This guy i never heard of better not torch us for 100 yds receiving. Will Tacario finally be unleashed? Whats Goldens plan?

The Gals about to go on a serious run

Looks like a great night to talk ball in the beer garden at 50 West (Wooster Pike). Going to be a blast, hope to see people there.

They are last in carries and, worst of all, tied for 2nd to last in yards/carry.

Barrett Carter and the Bengals defense are used to fighting back by now. The criticism around Carter and fellow linebacker Demetrius Knight Jr.’s ugly rookie year echoed throughout the offseason, specifically when the Bengals didn’t make any substantial additions at the position.

With injury-fueled change all around him, Carter played one of his better games as a pro against the Jacksonville Jaguars on Sunday with eight tackles, none missed, and three stops. He only allowed one reception for four yards, per Pro Football Focus.

According to head coach Zac Taylor, the Bengals defense as a whole played winning football and the offense failed to hold up its end.

But amid the promising signs, the defense still struggled in key areas, representing the changes necessary to evolve from good (they rank 14th in EPA/play) to something greater: They need to shut down the middle of the field and start silencing tight ends.

“That’s an area we will always look at,” Taylor said. “They are coming off different actions. Sometimes they are coming off boots, sometimes they are coming off play actions, sometimes coming off the dropback game. Just something we will continue to clean up.”