Success

That injury update wasn't exactly what I was hoping to see after the bye. We need one of Kincaid or Palmer back. Given this report, I'm very surprised we didn't make a move for a WR w/ the time off.

This thread is too gloomy. We would have beaten the Falcons with just a teensy bit more health. Kincaid, or Palmer the full game. We were down to very little in terms of receiving, and even the announcers noted that. We'll be in better shape this Sunday, and I'm pretty excited to see what Hoecht adds to the D. Maybe we'll even get a little Hairston. But it's a big break to have Dalton in there. He's still a capable thrower, but obviously not as elusive when scrambling and we should be able to get good pressure on him. I think we win this one comfortably. We've generally done pretty well out of the bye.

Miami was really good - with one of the best QB's of all time - during our '90s runs. I'm kind of hoping it goes that way. That they're good - but never quite good enough to change places w/ us at the top of the division. I know they're there now, but I don't expect that to hold. They have tougher games coming up.

Maye looked great today. He still has much to prove - we haven't seen a 4th quarter comeback, we haven't seen a 300 yard game, we have no idea what kind of playoff performer he'll be - but right now, it's extremely annoying. I'd rather that the Jets or Phins found 'the guy.' Watching Pats fans beat their chest for another 15 years wasn't on my wish list.

I'm kind of surprised by the lack of trade this week. It's a perfect time to bring someone in during the bye to get acclimated to the offense. We really have to get someone. Meyers seems like a pretty easy trade, and would really help. Obviously Olave, though that's more expensive. But there are options, and we have to take advantage of this year where there are no standout teams.

That last throw was vintage Rodgers. Did NOT think he could get it to the endzone. Fantastic game. I was happy for Cincy fans.

I'd be rather surprised if we traded for edge w/ massive needs at WR and in the secondary.

Allen spoils us a bit w/ his consistently great play. It is absolutely normal for QB's to have a game like this once in awhile. He was just off his game. Probably pressing too much given the loss to the Pats and bad start against the Falcons.

Gabe PLUS a trade for someone like Meyers would change our offense significantly.

C'mon, Beane - I think this is the guy. Olave would be great, but Meyers seems like a much easier move. Beane is a draft-pick hugger, which makes no sense given the draft history.

I've been keeping a close eye on Tre. He really isn't bad at all. I think we're just looking for reasons to go bananas about the secondary - it's a bad unit overall, but Tre isn't this huge problem.

Gotta zag here - NO. I don't think his schemes are bad. We don't have a #1 OR #2 receiver right now. We have a roster of 3's and 4's.

I mean, it's all kinds of simple - we just have to start acting like the team we are: the best in the league & eventual SB champs. Post Hail Murray-style run incoming.

He can atone for everything w/ a blockbuster trade this week.

That's correct - but certainly not a reason to avoid acquiring him.

Time has passed, and I have done my usual rationalizations, and I'm looking forward to the remainder of the season w/ optimism that we'll win the division and likely get the 1 seed. My reasoning, or delusion, depending on your vantage point: - While all teams are banged up, we had some really key injuries the other night that without doubt impacted the game. I think if Kincaid had played, or even if Palmer was in the whole game, we win. It's actually pretty admirable how the D played in the 2nd half without either starting LB, and with a patchwork secondary. - On that last point - the defense DID look good in the 2nd half. Oliver & Walker are dominant on that line. Rousseau hasn't played to a level that we necessarily expect, but he is a force out there, and his speed is really evident when you watch him on downs. I think getting Hairston and Hoecht in particular could give that unit a real boost & make them at least average, and it wouldn't surprise me to see an add to the secondary by deadline. - I fully expect a WR add by the deadline, and hopefully during this bye week period. Even getting a guy like Meyers will elevate everyone. Coleman has been a disappointment, but he did have the top corner on him the other night. An addition would at least take some attention away from him. - It definitely feels like we have this kind of short stretch every year, and it's been pointed out that McD's teams always lose 2 in a row at some point. - The Patriots are being overrated right now. We really handed them that game, and people are raving about a 6-point win over the Saints. There is trepidation when looking at their schedule, but I think almost any of those teams could beat them. They're not at that level yet where teams like the Giants, Bengals & Falcons are any kind of gimme for them. I said it on another thread, but I'm getting some "Hail Murray" season vibes right now. I remember when we lost that game, it was pretty devastating, and a lot of uncertainty here on the quality of our team, and how things were going to go from that point. That was also in October. There was speculation we could collapse. Then we proceeded to win every game until the AFCCG.

I'd certainly be happy w/ 12-5, and think that will win the division as long as a W is against the Pats. But this is laid out too obviously. I could see us beating the Chiefs and losing to the Texans, or beating the Eagles and losing to the Bengals. Or beating everyone, of course.

Sometimes, you just have to make a change. We seem to be in an endless rinse/repeat mode - maybe we'll actually break through this year, but I think most feel that it's starting to look like a divisional round exit or worse. Maybe the AFCCG if we're lucky. And I feel almost silly complaining about that after the drought. But what are the chances McDermott is the 1st coach to break through and win a Super Bowl after this many years w/ the same QB? It just seems like he's not going to be the guy to bust through that ceiling.

Anyone else tired of the "bend don't break" philosophy?

I hope Beane is at least working the phones. Now is the time, with the bye week coming up. Get a guy in here & get him acclimated to this offense. It would just be incredibly disappointing if we did nothing to address a pretty clear deficiency.

There is some "is Josh regressing" chatter nationally today - but I'd have a hard time even calling last night one of those games he usually has. Once Palmer went out, the cupboard was really bare. The defense could focus almost exclusively on Shakir. The announcers were correctly observing that, too - not having Palmer along w/ missing Samuel and Kincaid really limited things. And you could see it on the field. The times Josh was able to evade pressure and keep plays alive, he still wasn't seeing anything downfield. Last night could have been Coleman's chance to really shine, but I have no idea what he's doing out there. When Josh tried to get the ball to him, he was covered like he was standing still.

Which is "fine." It's not sexy, it's not a huge needle-mover - but he would give us a good boost.

It's so hard to gauge on defense, imo. I really think our scheme is outdated and doesn't work. It's "bend, don't break" - but breaks often. I think a top-tier DC could use the personnel we have now to create a much more formidable D.

Might be asking a lot of a rookie in likely his 1st game, if he can come back that soon.

I am extremely bummed about Coleman. Thought he had turned a corner in that 1st game. When I think about that draft. We could have traded up for Thomas, or taken McConkey. Very hindsighty, but it seems like our guy has had the least impact out of all of the receivers taken early.