MasterStrategist

Agree, there would be a "questionable" designation assigned if it was bad. Nobody is pulling a hammy Thur/Fri then playing on a Sunday. IIRC LY, Gabe hurt his ankle Saturday (before Titans MNF) and listed as questionable. Ultimately he didnt play. All that to say, I think Benford is fine/prob missed a few reps that's all.

Cincy defense is like Miami, but better coached. Yards and points to be had, just need to not turn it over/take sacks. On defense, watch the Ravens and Steelers play them. It's a physical/aggressive brand. We need to bring that intensity and aggression, keep them from getting a run game going by bringing pressure on early downs. Burrow wants his quick/intermediate passes. Rather we force them into 50/50 fade passes, by jamming/taking away underneath.

Definitely not a true 1, from a run stuffing perspective. I think he's a good piece to move around up front on passing downs, likely what they're looking for him to help with (interior rush, other than Ed has been poor since losing Jones). Just confirmed he was a 3-tech at Wash, 3 games in 2020 (before injured) and all of 2021. Good depth for this time of year.

That's exciting for both, knew Matt was injured...hopefully physical turns out well. I'd guess Matt is P/S. Elam to IR and Suh to 53.

I thought he played 3-tech for Washington, for a time, and was disruptive.

Beane never said shut down for the year. If you actually listen to his PC, he clarified Elam could return in 4 weeks, 5 weeks, etc. Whenever he's ready/ healthy. That's if he goes on IR, Beane likely doesn't mention this though unless it's their plan. Elam did miss practice today.

Good to hear from Beane, always a nice listen. 1. Elam: injury talk is part of it, but sure sounds like alot of mental/confidence concerns right now. Just not playing to his talent level, which happens. Hopefully that "switch" comes on later this season, but early next might be tipping point 2. DT: Beane whiffed at backups, that's clear as day. We all saw a need for a better 1-tech backup, Poona was a "plan b" signing. They should have prioritized that more, hopefully lesson learned and possible they are still looking at some FAs or P/S guys 3. Rasul: sounds like it will be tough to get him meaningful snaps this week. But never rule it out, just think they won't rush him and he will likely be ready for Denver matchup

I'd call it a big game/measuring stick...not must-win (yet). Fact is alot of those other Afc teams play each other, specifically Afc North, and have tough schedules too. Realistically, we need to get to 10-7 for a "very strong" chance at playoffs. That's 5 more wins....Broncos, Jets, Pats, Chargers. Those are basically must wins. Then a win against either Bengals/Boys/Eagles/Chiefs/Fins. Gets us to 10-7, likely a wild card. If we only win 9, then we will likely lose the conf record tiebreaker-unless we get fortunate. I'm with ya its a big game, and team needs to treat it as a must win. But this is just one of 5 remaining games, we might not be favored but need to find a way to win 1. I think our best chance is against Miami week 17, Eagles/Cowboys tougher than this one and Chiefs a bit more favorable matchup.

Did we fill Dawson's roster spot, or still at 52?

Obviously will be a tough matchup, but thr praise on Cincy right now-let's review: 1. dominated 49ers, but coming off a bye week and the 49ers are really dinged up. QB missed time all week, CMac less than 100%, no Trent and no Deebo 2. Struggled, but won against Seahawks. Defense forced critical redzone stops 3. Cardinals are worst team in NFL right now, Dobbs about to be benched All to say, NFL is week to week. We are just as talented and have a QB that can also take over games. Last week we played a great game, albeit scoreboard didn't show it. I think it will be a FG finish, both offenses going to move the ball.

I wouldn't say Shakir has elite hands, given he's shown to drop some easy ones (college, LY, and this year). BUT, he does make the occasional elite contested catch. He also has the "slippery" YAC ability, and should absolutely be getting more reps. He also has ability to get open against man, similar to Harty. Been saying, we needed more Shakir/Harty opportunities. Offense really gets into a rhythm when spreading the targets. Not much to say about Dalton, other than Stud. He's smooth as it comes getting upfield after catch, and he does have elite/best hands on the team. I'll start to feel really confident, if the offense can repeat/show up similar next week against Cinci. We need this type of performance against elite teams.

Fl St -20.5 Penn St -30.5 Oklahoma-7.5

It should be obvious, definitely better. We took our foot off the gas pedal, and went way too conservative with a 14 point lead. TB basically ate up 8-9 min of the 4th qtr with their 1 drive (wo looking up the exact time). If anything we can gripe about their "conservative" playcalls that led to punting on consecutive 4th and short in opponent territory. The offense moved the ball at will for most of the game. Definitely struggled against NE, Gmen, and Jax at even 3 and outs (did we even have any last night?), not to mention other execution. Up tempo / getting to the line of scrimmage sooner, was a clear driver of success.

Refs missed the flag, otherwise its a first down. That simple. Most teams/good QBs fo thr exact same thing

Point isn't the free 5 yards, it's getting a "free play"/5 yards/at worst run out the qtr. Refs missed the offside, decision was smart

And that's the point....blitz early and then those "simulated blitzes" get the oline/QB on edge. Baker has looked jumpy. We sit back the entire game and he just gets comfortable/into his drop back with no concern. I'm pro-blitz, it's not different than KC/Spags

You think it's THAT bad? Based on your source, or just observation? He seems injured but his velocity and touch is much better this week

You notice Josh hold the tablet with his right hand then hand it off... cmon man

@Alphadawg7nice call man

Joe Brady, QB coach. And no, this is what we've been missing on offense Josh legs.

Would like a screen, but know it never happens

Absolutely the opposite. Blitz/aggressive, mixing in dime with Rapp and Poyer at LB. Completely different

Shakir didn't make that "rub" contact, otherwise Diggs gets that. Good drive though

Personally, I think it's more about play selection (1st down execution) than substitutions. We subsituted/had alot of personnel groupings LY too. For reference on 1st down: 1. 2022 : ran the ball 46% of time, for 5.5 YPA 2. 2023: running 47% of time, for 3.5 yards per attempt 2 less yards per carry is very significant on 1st down, especially when we're deploying more 12 personnel this year (you'd think we could run the ball with more success). That to me, in a nutshell, has been the problem (too much 12 personnel and not enough run game execution). We're also getting sacked much more frequently on 2nd down, TY vs LY, causing worse 3rd and long situations: 4.8% vs 2.4%. So less effective running on 1st down, sacked more and less efficient on 2nd downs. Less 12 personnel and more 11 should help IMO...nobody is respecting our run game

Agree Elam isn't good for us right now. I'm not confident he'd be better, even in a more friendly scheme fit for him. He looks horrible this year-regressed, played decent/not good LY. Not saying it's out of the question that he'd become productive elsewhere, he just has the look of BUST. K Toney comes to mind. Super talented, some team's fans would be pumped for Elam too, but he's inconsistent and being coached by one of the best secondary groups in NFL.