I'm just gonna leave this right here. @spindoc

 

Nothing about this game favors the Bengals. Not only does Pittsburgh have their number (last 4-5 years) but they are playing really well. This game will also be played in prime time and we all know how the Bengals play in that situation. This is the match up no Bengal fan wanted. Just don't see Cincy getting over the hump this year. This is just my $.2 but I'm certain I'll be told I'm a moron for thinking that but to each their own.

 

Which is why as a Bengals fans I like the Bengals. Almost everything appears to be in the Steelers favor.

 

We have to pressure Ben and keep Antonio Brown from killing us.

Which is why as a Bengals fans I like the Bengals. Almost everything appears to be in the Steelers favor.

 

We have to pressure Ben and keep Antonio Brown from killing us.

 

 

....and Miller

....and Miller

 

HEATH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I even yelled that out once against the Browns and laughed at myself.

I'm completely shocked that you feel that way. :lol2:

 

I am just curious on what you see or haven't seen that based off of things you have said. That makes it seem like McCarron has been terrible and that they are in very bad shape with him. Before the Broncos game you basically said Bengals have no shot at all, and people would be crazy to even think the Bengals could beat the Broncos with McCarron. Then I think he showed they could have very easily beat them with him. Then you have basically said the same thing for this game. Even though the Ravens with Mallett who they just picked up off the street was even able to beat the Steelers.

 

So you definitely have made your opinion show about McCarron, but I am just curious as to what you have seen to make you think that? I don't disagree that the offense is better with Dalton, but I don't think it is as bad off as you have made it seem either.

It also seems that the Steelers could put the dead body of Red Grange in black and gold and line him up as halfback and he would go for 125 yards against the Bengals.

The thing that put the Steelers over the top when they were going good was the play of Martavis Bryant. He's been awful of late. 1 catch for 0 yards yesterday and he dropped 2 then was lifted for Heyward Bey. Speed-wise there aren't usually any answers for him and he's stunk it up for a couple of weeks. One of Ben's picks was a direct result of not running the right route.

It also seems that the Steelers could put the dead body of Red Grange in black and gold and line him up as halfback and he would go for 125 yards against the Bengals.

 

I think that has a lot to do with us struggling to defend the pass against the Steelers. Normally our front four is not able to get it done on a consistent basis. We are going to have to rush 5.

Which is why as a Bengals fans I like the Bengals. Almost everything appears to be in the Steelers favor.

 

We have to pressure Ben and keep Antonio Brown from killing us.

 

Same here! You see all the time in sports people be very high on a team entering the post season and then that team lays an egg. Basically everyone is picking Pittsburgh, shoot even Vegas has Pittsburgh as the favorite even though they are on the road. The Bengals have always played better when not much is expected from them, and that seems to be the case here.

 

Also this is the most prepared Bengals team for the playoffs IMO. They have already had 4 prime time games. 3 of those games were against playoff teams, and they did lose them all. However even in those losses, they didn't seem to be fazed by the lights like usual, they simply lost. I feel like they are much more prepared for playing in the moment this year than they have any other year. I expect the team as a whole to play well, and if McCarron can play well too then I think they win and as I said already I expect them to win.

I am just curious on what you see or haven't seen that based off of things you have said. That makes it seem like McCarron has been terrible and that they are in very bad shape with him. Before the Broncos game you basically said Bengals have no shot at all, and people would be crazy to even think the Bengals could beat the Broncos with McCarron. Then I think he showed they could have very easily beat them with him. Then you have basically said the same thing for this game. Even though the Ravens with Mallett who they just picked up off the street was even able to beat the Steelers.

 

So you definitely have made your opinion show about McCarron, but I am just curious as to what you have seen to make you think that? I don't disagree that the offense is better with Dalton, but I don't think it is as bad off as you have made it seem either.

 

He holds the ball way too long.

He struggles mightily when a team plays zone coverage.

He has almost zero NFL experience.

He struggles to get guys in the right spots and is always up against the play clock.

 

It's not so much that McCarron isn't good, he's been fine, it's that he's not Dalton. The past seasons are irrelevant to the discussion as far as I'm concerned. Andy Dalton was on the short list of legit MVP candidates prior to getting injured. Forgive me for thinking that McCarron, because he hasn't been terrible, isn't nearly as formidable to opposing defenses.

The thing that put the Steelers over the top when they were going good was the play of Martavis Bryant. He's been awful of late. 1 catch for 0 yards yesterday and he dropped 2 then was lifted for Heyward Bey. Speed-wise there aren't usually any answers for him and he's stunk it up for a couple of weeks. One of Ben's picks was a direct result of not running the right route.

 

Something about him doesn't look right to me. Almost looks out of place in the NFL at times.

AJ has played well enough to win this game. His big game experience has translated to the pro game pretty well so far. He can make the throws. As a first year starter he obviously lacks experience but sure doesn't lack confidence. Waking up with Katherine Webb every morning will do that to a guy I guess. Regardless, the defense, special teams and running game will have to win this game. Oh yeah, and coaching. :sssh:

I would like to see the Bengals throw deep in this game about 3 times as much as their season average. I think McCarron is at his best throwing deep and the Steelers are at their worst in the backend.

AJ has played well enough to win this game. His big game experience has translated to the pro game pretty well so far. He can make the throws. As a first year starter he obviously lacks experience but sure doesn't lack confidence. Waking up with Katherine Webb every morning will do that to a guy I guess. Regardless, the defense, special teams and running game will have to win this game. Oh yeah, and coaching. :sssh:

 

I hope she threatens to cut him off unless he wins Saturday night! That would motivate him...well, it would motivate me.

He holds the ball way too long.

He struggles mightily when a team plays zone coverage.

He has almost zero NFL experience.

 

It's not so much that McCarron isn't good, he's been fine, it's that he's not Dalton. The past seasons are irrelevant to the discussion as far as I'm concerned. Andy Dalton was on the short list of legit MVP candidates prior to getting injured. Forgive me for thinking that McCarron, because he hasn't been terrible, isn't nearly as formidable to opposing defenses.

 

Which is fine and I definitely get what you are saying. Just the way you have said things, has made it seem like he is horrible. No doubt he doesn't get rid of the ball as quick as Dalton, and that is huge because Dalton's quick release hid a lot of the problems we truly have on the line. I also agree on Dalton playing awesome this year and this team being a top 5 offense with him this year. However with Dalton as we have seen plenty, he is a very in the rhythm type of guy. When he is in rhythm he is amazing. However when he is not, he can be horrible and I just worry with 4 weeks of not playing, possibly not being 100% and also the weight of trying to quiet the playoff critics would make it very hard for him to do well this week.

 

One thing I do like about McCarron though is he is very accurate when he does have time, and does a very good job at throwing someone open. There has been times when the receiver is not open but he has put the ball in places where only the receiver can make the play. So I agree the offense isn't as good as it was with Dalton, but I do think it is good enough to still beat good teams especially with him getting more experience each time.