Success

Had you heard of him before 30 minutes ago?

I'm genuinely thrilled about this one. I think we can make do at LB and on the D-line (and, of course, hope that one or both of Milano & Jones gets back this year). The offense showed what they can be last week, so I didn't see WR as a big need. But we needed a good CB. And we got one. This will elevate the defense - we won't get back to where we were the 1st month, but we'll be stingy again.

We need a corner this year, though. I'd prefer that they try to develop Elam - but there is obviously something going on there. Doesn't seem like it's an option from their POV.

Really good fit, and exactly where we needed help.

I'd still be surprised if they made it to the SB in the NFC. I want to like Purdy because of the whole late round/underdog story going on there. But he's really starting to look like a late rounder.

That's a really good solution for them w/ Cousins out. I really like how Dobbs plays.

The Bengals fans I've seen online seem remarkably unconcerned about Sunday's game. I mean, we might go out & look like we did in both games last year - overmatched. But the NFL can be pretty nutty. You can blow a team out one year, and then lose to them the next - it's actually happened.

I know it's likely not possible - but man, Adams lining up across from Diggs? We'd probably break a record for passing TD's. The offense would be unstoppable.

Quite a bit of pessimism on this thread. Not entirely unwarranted, but I don't see a huge difference between Cincy & Buffalo. They have some areas where they are stronger, and so do we. Their defense can be exploited, just like ours can. It will be tough to cover their receivers - but our line is a strength. The game will likely hinge on how much they can disrupt Burrow.

Burrow was great yesterday - but it's also true that SF handed them the game. They turned it over too much to have a chance. This is a good, even match-up for the Bills. Cincy is not measurably better than we are overall, or really, in any position unit. I think we win, but it will likely be a close game and could be one of those "whoever has the ball last" kinds of games.

I'm kind of glad we didn't get Cincy when they were struggling. We are pretty evenly matched w/ that team. A big win next week could set the tone for a run in the home stretch. The Bengals at the top of their game are better than the Chiefs or Ravens, imo. If we can beat them on the road, in prime time, it would be pretty exciting. Optimism would reign here once again.

The turnovers went both ways in that game today. Cincy got their share of breaks.

I'm excited. It's a great measure for this team at this point in the season. We can win that game.

3-1 would be great - and it's what I'd expect right now.

Let's do some hot takes now.

KC is wildly overrated. They're one of the best teams in the AFC - but wildly overrated.

KC is "that" team now. What a bail-out call.

Yeah. That's where I'm at.

Miami showing how it's done on 4th down around midfield.

But they're 5-3 and currently favored to make the playoffs.

Here's hoping that this thread continues to age poorly.

I'm a noon to midnight guy on Sundays.

I think we're the best team in the AFC this year - even w/ the injuries. But we don't have the best record. A lot of that has to come down to coaching. Reid is the best. Harbaugh is top 5. Peterson has won a SB. I still contend that McD isn't a bad coach - but he's not a great coach, or top tier. Right now, the coaching holds us back more than anything. But, they can improve. They did on Thursday - going no huddle, letting JA run more. They can adapt. They have to be at their best for us to really make a title run.

I like McDermott, but some negative things about this team have become what you'd have to call a pattern. Not being able to put games away when they have a chance, coming up short in close games more often than not, getting too conservative, and sloppy/undisciplined play. If I'm making the decisions for this team, this is the year for him. If this team doesn't at minimum make the AFCCG, I think you'd have to consider making a change. Personally, I hope it doesn't come to that. He & the team had some tough circumstances last year. I hope this year we get hot late & McD can show that he IS the guy to lead this team to a title.

The hot teams the 1st few months often go a little cold at the end. I thought initially that this was the best team Beane had put together, and that it was our year. I'll stick w/ that in the AFC. On the NFC side, I thought Philly. That still seems like the best bet.