First of all, a big thank you to @Bengal Maniac and his lovely wife for hosting us before the game. They are first class people.

 

Also really cool to finally meet another new group of BGP folks, some long overdue.

 

My Dad and I had a great time at the game. Seats were pretty decent and we only had trouble with one guy that was next to us, and that was only because he was three sheets to the wind. Oh, and one lady tried to yank my terrible towel out of my hand on the way out of the stadium. :lol2:

 

I was pretty convinced we were going to lose because we couldn't get into the end zone in the first half, and then Cincinnati kept giving us opportunities. When it got to be 20-15, I was feeling pretty confident. After the pick, I was almost certain the Steelers would would win. Glad they did.

 

Pittsburgh remains undefeated all-time when I am in attendance (1-0).

I think this is the definitive statement on Marvin Lewis. He is now 3-12 in his last 15 games versus the Steelers. Yet every game versus the Steelers he comes in with the same defensive philosophy - don't blitz, keep Ben in the pocket. That philosophy is 3-12, 1-7 in the last 8. Still no changes. Just keeps believing that it will somehow work. That is his coaching philosophy too. He is going to coach a game the way he coaches it and nothing is going to change that. He will coach conservative, not to lose football. There will be a ton of close games. And this team will lose the vast majority of those close games to winning teams playing that way. Still no changes.

 

The defense has not been the reason they have lost most of those. Look at the scores the Steelers put on other teams and look at what the Bengals defense does and keeps them down. This hardly gets mentioned but the Bengals offense always sucks against the steelers, even the last few years when the steelers had bad defenses.

 

Even today if the Bengals offense does anything in the second half, the steelers probably don't even get to 20 points again.

You have to be kidding me right? The steelers offense is one of the best in the nfl. The Bengals defense kept keeping them out of the end zone almost all game. All at the same time basically having to play the whole second half, since Dalton and the offense did their whole disappearing act in the second half they have done all year.

 

 

 

Sometimes an offense has to help a defense out by actually moving the ball. Just take a look at the Broncos defense and even the Seahawks defense in games their offense sucks. The defense for like the 5th or 6th straight week in a row played good enough to win. The Bengals offense killed the Bengals defense all second half, and then Daltons horrible interception led to great field position and the defense even held them to a field goal then.

 

The defense is not why they lost at all. It was the disappearing act of Dalton and the offense in the second half that we have seen a lot this year. Which it's not just Dalton it's the whole offense and the coordinator. They have good game plans going in, and other teams adjust and then shut them down.

 

 

The Bengals defense NEVER got them off the field without scoring until the last series where the Steelers killed 5:30 of the remaining clock. I have no idea how anyone would think that was successful. The Bengals offense was awful, also the 2nd half. But a high end defense makes a 14 point lead stand.

 

Sure, they held Bell to 93 yards rushing and A to 58 yards receiving. The rest of the cast killed them. They also kept them out of the end zone 6 times, but gave up points EVERY time. Even though the offense stunk the 2nd half they did not get the ball back for the offense to end the game. Good defenses do that. This defense is bad.

 

There is blame all around, but this one hangs on the defense primarily.

Man did you watch AJ play last year? He wasn't any better than Dalton. In fact he was worse. The Bengals were arguably the best team in the AFC before Dalton went down last year. I don't dislike AJ at all. I think he is a good QB. But to say Andy can't hold his jock is a joke.

 

He was so much better than AD has been against good teams. Not even close.

 

People seem to forget the schedule we had last year. AD had the best season he ever had last year but still played against bad teams until the 2nd half of the season. It wasnt as if he beat great teams etc last year. Go look at that schedule again folks. There was a reason they had a good record. It's because they had a cake schedule.

 

I understand you don't like Andy Dalton. But why the love for AJ Mccarron? I understand he is the back up and the back up is the most loved player on the team. But what has AJ proved to you that he is head and shoulders above Andy? There were 9 other quarterbacks taken before him so many other NFL teams did not have a good feeling about him. He came into the game with Pitt last year, for a 10-2 team, midway through the first quarter and they lost that game. Andy was having an MVP type season last year when he got hurt. AJ lost the Pit game and then backed it up going 2-2 down the stretch. So, why do you think AJ is the savior for this team?

 

First of all I don't have quite the same Dalton is plain horrible opinion as Hellbird lol but he is right. We have seen Dalton for 6 years now. So it's safe to say we know what he is. He has always struggled in prime time games, and playoff games. He has struggled against good teams with good defenses, and has always played bad against the Steelers.

 

However he has put up great numbers, and has beaten the teams he is suppose to beat the majority of his career. He has been the qb on 5 playoff teams. So he definitely is not the worst, he is probably safely around the 15 range.

 

Now with AJ McCarron we have a small sample size. He came in the first quarter against Steelers and actually had a better game against the steelers than a lot of games Dalton has had. He beat the 49ers who were bad like Dalton does. Against a great Broncos defense on the road in prime time with 2 seed on the line he got the Bengals out to a 14 to 0 lead. They then lost in OT. Then beat the Ravens which he was suppose to do. Then the playoff game he didn't have a great game, and most of the game struggled like Dalton does against the Steelers. However he did something we still haven't seen Dalton really do, and in only his 4th game starting. He overcame poor play early, and in the rain on prime time in the playoffs he made big time throws that should have won the game for them.

 

So while it's a small sample size he has shown the moment is not to big for him. He actually seems to love those moments. McCarron with a full sample size could show to be horrible. However his small sample shows those big moments big games he steps up, while 6 years of data shows the opposite in Dalton in similar type games.

Man did you watch AJ play last year? He wasn't any better than Dalton. In fact he was worse. The Bengals were arguably the best team in the AFC before Dalton went down last year. I don't dislike AJ at all. I think he is a good QB. But to say Andy can't hold his jock is a joke.

 

He was so much better than AD has been against good teams. Not even close.

 

People seem to forget the schedule we had last year. AD had the best season he ever had last year but still played against bad teams until the 2nd half of the season. It wasnt as if he beat great teams etc last year. Go look at that schedule again folks. There was a reason they had a good record. It's because they had a cake schedule.

 

The Bengals defense NEVER got them off the field without scoring until the last series where the Steelers killed 5:30 of the remaining clock. I have no idea how anyone would think that was successful. The Bengals offense was awful, also the 2nd half. But a high end defense makes a 14 point lead stand.

 

Sure, they held Bell to 93 yards rushing and A to 58 yards receiving. The rest of the cast killed them. They also kept them out of the end zone 6 times, but gave up points EVERY time. Even though the offense stunk the 2nd half they did not get the ball back for the offense to end the game. Good defenses do that. This defense is bad.

 

There is blame all around, but this one hangs on the defense primarily.

 

It's amazing how differently we view a game, which your entitled to your own opinion, so we have to agree to disagree.

 

I will ask this if the Bengals held them to less than 20 would you consider that good? I would assume so. You are also pretty knowledgable, so you have to admit if the Bengals offense did anything in the second half, or even just moved the ball some it would have helped right? Meaning if the Bengals offense does anything at all the Steelers offense don't have the ball all second half and probably don't even score more than 20.

 

Also I agree the defense needed to get the ball back that last drive but once again the offense had them on the field all half, they probably were tired. Let's not forget what Dalton and the offense did to help in that 4th quarter. Threw a pick that set up a field goal, went three and out, then steelers scored their td with 5 minutes to go. The Bengals offense responded with another three and out.

 

If the Bengals offense does anything in the second half, the steelers probably don't even score more than 20. Dalton and the Bengals offense has been dreadful in the second half this year, and not sure how you can deny that. However I guess it's another agree to disagree.

It's amazing how differently we view a game, which your entitled to your own opinion, so we have to agree to disagree.

 

I will ask this if the Bengals held them to less than 20 would you consider that good? I would assume so. You are also pretty knowledgable, so you have to admit if the Bengals offense did anything in the second half, or even just moved the ball some it would have helped right? Meaning if the Bengals offense does anything at all the Steelers offense don't have the ball all second half and probably don't even score more than 20.

 

Also I agree the defense needed to get the ball back that last drive but once again the offense had them on the field all half, they probably were tired. Let's not forget what Dalton and the offense did to help in that 4th quarter. Threw a pick that set up a field goal, went three and out, then steelers scored their td with 5 minutes to go. The Bengals offense responded with another three and out.

 

If the Bengals offense does anything in the second half, the steelers probably don't even score more than 20. Dalton and the Bengals offense has been dreadful in the second half this year, and not sure how you can deny that. However I guess it's another agree to disagree.

 

In my mind it is pretty simple. Hold them to less than your offense scores. So if they had held them to less than 20 I would have felt they did their job. They didn't. The offense did theirs in the first half. I have stated they were awful the second half, but no excuses. The defense should hold a 14 point lead.

He was so much better than AD has been against good teams. Not even close.

 

People seem to forget the schedule we had last year. AD had the best season he ever had last year but still played against bad teams until the 2nd half of the season. It wasnt as if he beat great teams etc last year. Go look at that schedule again folks. There was a reason they had a good record. It's because they had a cake schedule.

 

I looked at the schedule again last year. He played 12 games last year so if I look at the first half of his season (first 6 games) he went 6-0 and beat three teams who made the playoffs, Sea 10-6, KC 11-5 and Pit 10-6. He also beat Buff 8-8 and Oak 7-9. Not exactly horrible teams.

 

And there is a difference between saying AD is great and AJ is the savior. I can understand not liking AD but don't understand how you can say a guy who has a record of 2-3 is the savior.

 

As far as crunch time, AD is 14th in active qb's in come from behind victories in the 4th qtr in front of Andrew Luck, Cam Newton, and Aaron Rogers. About where he should be, a middle of the road qb.

I'm not sure I've ever disliked players as much as Pacman and Burfict.

It's amazing how differently we view a game, which your entitled to your own opinion, so we have to agree to disagree.

 

I will ask this if the Bengals held them to less than 20 would you consider that good? I would assume so. You are also pretty knowledgable, so you have to admit if the Bengals offense did anything in the second half, or even just moved the ball some it would have helped right? Meaning if the Bengals offense does anything at all the Steelers offense don't have the ball all second half and probably don't even score more than 20.

 

Also I agree the defense needed to get the ball back that last drive but once again the offense had them on the field all half, they probably were tired. Let's not forget what Dalton and the offense did to help in that 4th quarter. Threw a pick that set up a field goal, went three and out, then steelers scored their td with 5 minutes to go. The Bengals offense responded with another three and out.

 

If the Bengals offense does anything in the second half, the steelers probably don't even score more than 20. Dalton and the Bengals offense has been dreadful in the second half this year, and not sure how you can deny that. However I guess it's another agree to disagree.

 

 

Let me also say that if the defense holds a team to two scores, the offense should score enough to win. The very best teams do this consistently (not every time).

How is that even possible? He was 10-2 last year. I'm not feeling like doing any research tonight so if you want to show me the numbers on that knock yourself out, but I highly doubt that's accurate.

 

Sorry Grant he is pretty correct on that. They announced that about 2 weeks ago. The Bengals have a horrible record against teams with winning records over their last 15 games.

 

Remember last year 2 wins over Ravens who didn't have a winning record, 2 wins over Browns, Beat the chargers and Raiders who didn't have winning records last year, Beat Buffalo who didn't, Beat the 49ers and Rams last year who didn't have winning records. They had 2 wins against teams with winning records last at the beginning of the year against Steelers and Seahawks.

 

Then all of their losses last year came against teams with winning records, Denver, Pittsburgh, Houston, Arizona, and then Pittsburgh again. This year they have played 9 teams with winning records and lost them all.

 

So Hellbird thing on Dalton not being good against good teams is relevant. It's not all him, but if people want to credit him for the wins against bad teams, the same has to be said when he loses to good teams.

Let me also say that if the defense holds a team to two scores, the offense should score enough to win. The very best teams do this consistently (not every time).

 

You basically just killed your own argument there. Because the Bengals defense today would have basically held them to two scores if the Bengals offense does anything in the second half. Those good teams you talked about, don't have offenses that go three and out all second half. As mentioned look at Seattle's defense when their offense played horrible against Tampa Bay I believe it was. The Bengals defense is not as good as Seattle's, but that proves my point. Even the best defenses won't keep the other team out if their offenses suck and make them be on the field all game.

 

If the Bengals offense does anything in the second half, the steelers probably don't even break 20. Which is better than what most defenses can do against the Steelers offense.

Sorry Grant he is pretty correct on that. They announced that about 2 weeks ago. The Bengals have a horrible record against teams with winning records over their last 15 games.

 

Remember last year 2 wins over Ravens who didn't have a winning record, 2 wins over Browns, Beat the chargers and Raiders who didn't have winning records last year, Beat Buffalo who didn't, Beat the 49ers and Rams last year who didn't have winning records. They had 2 wins against teams with winning records last at the beginning of the year against Steelers and Seahawks.

 

Then all of their losses last year came against teams with winning records, Denver, Pittsburgh, Houston, Arizona, and then Pittsburgh again. This year they have played 9 teams with winning records and lost them all.

 

So Hellbird thing on Dalton not being good against good teams is relevant. It's not all him, but if people want to credit him for the wins against bad teams, the same has to be said when he loses to good teams.

 

So basically is what you are saying is AJ has never beat a winning team either. Depending who you give the first Pit loss to since AD only played 10 mins and AJ 50 mins, then he lost to Den and Pit again.

 

AJ has 2 wins against teams with a 10-22 record and lost 3 games against teams with winning records. Sounds like the same ol same ol.

You basically just killed your own argument there. Because the Bengals defense today would have basically held them to two scores if the Bengals offense does anything in the second half. Those good teams you talked about, don't have offenses that go three and out all second half. As mentioned look at Seattle's defense when their offense played horrible against Tampa Bay I believe it was. The Bengals defense is not as good as Seattle's, but that proves my point. Even the best defenses won't keep the other team out if their offenses suck and make them be on the field all game.

 

If the Bengals offense does anything in the second half, the steelers probably don't even break 20. Which is better than what most defenses can do against the Steelers offense.

 

Not so, I think we had enough points, gotta hold. Sure, it would have helped greatly if the offense had done anything. They didn't, but the defense never got them the ball, that simple. The Defense NEVER stopped them, not once.

 

How many teams win games where they do not force the other team to punt? The defense STUNK the whole game. As well as, the offense the 2nd half.

So basically is what you are saying is AJ has never beat a winning team either. Depending who you give the first Pit loss to since AD only played 10 mins and AJ 50 mins, then he lost to Den and Pit again.

 

Yep 6 years of games to prove that to be true for Dalton and 4 for AJ. Yet in those 4, AJ looked much better dealing with the big pressure moments than Dalton, and he actually made the throws when it counted that should have won the game.

 

The book on Dalton can be more in pen, because we have 6 years of seeing it and knowing what to expect. With AJ we don't know, it could be bad. I do think his demeanor for the bigger moments is better in the Big stage and big games.

 

Take a look at that Pittsburgh game. He had very few reps in practice all year, his first NFL action and he put up better numbers than Dalton has in a lot of games against the Steelers.

Not so, I think we had enough points, gotta hold. Sure, it would have helped greatly if the offense had done anything. They didn't, but the defense never got them the ball, that simple. The Defense NEVER stopped them, not once.

 

How many teams win games where they do not force the other team to punt? The defense STUNK the whole game. As well as, the offense the 2nd half.

 

The offense had plenty of enough opportunities to do something in the second half. The Steelers offense is one of the best in the nfl. Even the Broncos, Seahawks, etc defenses wouldn't have been able to stop them with the offense going three and out every time. Shoot most teams probably give up tds and not field goals against that offense. There has only been 3 games all year when the steelers offense scored less than 24 and one came with Big Ben not playing, and the other came his first week back from the knee injury.

 

You act like it should have been easy to stop them even while the offense goes 3 and out. Even though the majority of teams in the nfl have done even worst against them. So even though the Bengals offense sucked, they kept holding the great steelers offense to only field goals.

 

The Bengals offense does anything and the steelers probably don't score even 20. So that means the offense and Dalton boy was a big part in that.