On 1/5/2022 at 5:11 PM, oldgrappler said:

Chubb received a rib injury early in the game versus Pittsburgh.  That's why he spent a lot of time on the sideline. Chubb has not yet been cleared to play against the Bengals.  

Mayfield's situation is not similar to Chubb's, because Chubb was injured and couldn't play.  With Mayfield, you have a guy that was pretty injured all season long.  Each time he was asked about his health, he'd say he was fine and whatever injuries he had did not effect his ability to throw the ball.  I didn't believe it at any point in the season and I don't believe it now.  For all the criticism of Mayfield, you have to take into account the injuries that bothered him since Week 2.  He really toughed it out.  The team consulted the team doctors, they consulted Baker, they watched him in practice.  Each week the doctors cleared Mayfield to play and Mayfield insisted he would play.  He is too much of a competitor to not play.  He wanted to lead the team to the playoffs for the second year in a row.  And he wanted to beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Monday night. 

The surprising thing is that Mayfield is not playing against the Bengals.  He said he was not injured any more against the Steelers, so theoretically he could play just like he has all season.  So, why is he not playing Sunday?  In fact, he has been placed on injured reserve.  This marks a definite change and I think the change is in Mayfield.  He let out a couple of digs during the post-game interview about the way things were handled during the Steelers game.  He mentioned that the Rookie RT should have been given more help in blocking Watts.  When asked about his injury and if he would play next week, he stated he needed to talk it over with his agent and family (not the team doctors or coaches).  He also said, "Now it is time for me to start looking at what's in the best interest for me and my health."   I think the beating he took in Pittsburgh made him reassess and he is not happy with the way the offense was run on Monday. 

It appears he holds Stefanski responsible for not doing something offensively to slow down the assault.  And it marks a change in Baker's attitude.  Prior to Monday, his attitude was "I am going to play come hell or high water."  Now, he doesn't want to play next week and he is looking to his self-interest first over the team.  When he first said he wasn't going to play, I wondered if he would be on the sideline ready to "sub-in" in case of injury to Keenum or Mullens.  The team eliminated the scenario of Mayfield refusing to go on the field by placing him on Injured Reserve.  I believe this means Mayfield and Stefanski have some issues to work out between them.  It will be interesting to watch this offseason.  It may effect whether he remains with the team.  

No change in Baker's attitude. Just add Stefanski to the long list of people Baker has a problem with.

1 hour ago, 16thBBall Fan said:

With the two catches for 26 yards Chase became the Bengals record holder for yards in a single year. He looks to be out for the day, so he won't have a shot at the all-time record for a rookie WR. However a awesome season so far with I hope some more big games ahead this season.

How many yards would Chase need for the all time rookie record?

21 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

How many yards would Chase need for the all time rookie record?

He would have need 44 more yards he finished with 1429 and the record is from 1960 by a Bill Gorman.

The Bengals best drive of the day stalls and they settle for a FG to make it 14-10 Browns.

The Browns go for it on a 4th and goal from the 3 and turn it over on downs. Still 14-10 Browns early in the 4th quarter.

21 minutes ago, 16thBBall Fan said:

He would have need 44 more yards he finished with 1429 and the record is from 1960 by a Bill Gorman.

Wow, 1960. Impressive that he put up that number in just 14 games. Bill Groman, Houston Oilers.

Chase only needs another 20 yards or so to break the record.

AJ Green's 2011 season is #16 all time for a rookie.

Chris Collinsworth, 1981, is #23 all time for a rookie.

The Browns get another touchdown that will probably do it the way the offense is playing today. Browns lead 21-10 with 7:14 to play.

The Bengals pick up a late touchdown on a 4th down play however the two point conversion fails to make it 21-16 Browns with 2:26 to play that probably does it barring an onside kick recovery.

The Bengals had a shot at the onside kick just couldn't recover it.