The Bears (4-3) stay in the AFC North with a game in Cincy vs. the (3-5) Bengals. Both teams will be in dire need for a win. A big thing for the Bengals will be #1 can the defense stop anyone and #2 how is Flacco's shoulder. The game is scheduled for a 1:00pm kick on CBS. Go Bengals! WHO DEY!!

I usually don't say must win game this early in a season, but I think this is a must win game for the Bengals. 

10 hours ago, Voice of Reason said:

I usually don't say must win game this early in a season, but I think this is a must win game for the Bengals. 

I tend to agree. 3-6 with our defense has 2026 written all over it. 

Looks like the Bears are a 1.5 favorite. 

Shemar Stewart has one assisted tackle yesterday (no solo tackles, sacks, QB pressures, etc).  Is he a flop and a wasted #1 draft pick for the Bengals?

5 minutes ago, nkypete said:

Shemar Stewart has one assisted tackle yesterday (no solo tackles, sacks, QB pressures, etc).  Is he a flop and a wasted #1 draft pick for the Bengals?

I would be interested in seeing stats for other first round DE this year, and prior years also. Hard to judge him in a vacuum of info. Too early to say bust but certainly disappointing so far.

11 minutes ago, nkypete said:

Shemar Stewart has one assisted tackle yesterday (no solo tackles, sacks, QB pressures, etc).  Is he a flop and a wasted #1 draft pick for the Bengals?

4 minutes ago, Voice of Reason said:

I would be interested in seeing stats for other first round DE this year, and prior years also. Hard to judge him in a vacuum of info. Too early to say bust but certainly disappointing so far.

At this point he looks like a NFL backup at best. 

5 minutes ago, theguru said:

At this point he looks like a NFL backup at best. 

You are being too kind.  I was at the game yesterday and was watching the rush against Fields.  Stewart was nowhere to be found.

2 minutes ago, nkypete said:

You are being too kind.  I was at the game yesterday and was watching the rush against Fields.  Stewart was nowhere to be found.

I like to cut rookies some slack but so far he looks like a bust.  We have to wait and see what the rest of his performances show this year. 

2 hours ago, nkypete said:

Shemar Stewart has one assisted tackle yesterday (no solo tackles, sacks, QB pressures, etc).  Is he a flop and a wasted #1 draft pick for the Bengals?

He will be fine. He was already trying to figure out what he did wrong right after the game.

Bengals defense had a players only meeting today. But like yesterday they forgot to show up!

From Google AI:

The Bengals defense held a players-only meeting on October 27, 2025, following a tough loss to the Jets. This meeting was called to address defensive struggles, with players acknowledging a need for accountability and leadership to fix technical and intangible issues. This type of meeting has also happened in the past, such as after the 1-4 start to the 2024 season when the defense was also underperforming, notes ESPN. 

The defense problem starts with the scheme.  Zero pressure on qb allows mediocre qbs to pick you apart.  How about some blitzes Al?  The worst thing however is the awful tackling at all levels.  You cannot have lbs that swing and miss as often as these guys do.  They can have as many meetings as they want and you will still have the same problems.  

1 minute ago, Jack of all Trades said:

The defense problem starts with the scheme.  Zero pressure on qb allows mediocre qbs to pick you apart.  How about some blitzes Al?  The worst thing however is the awful tackling at all levels.  You cannot have lbs that swing and miss as often as these guys do.  They can have as many meetings as they want and you will still have the same problems.  

30 minutes ago, Jack of all Trades said:

The defense problem starts with the scheme.  Zero pressure on qb allows mediocre qbs to pick you apart.  How about some blitzes Al?  The worst thing however is the awful tackling at all levels.  You cannot have lbs that swing and miss as often as these guys do.  They can have as many meetings as they want and you will still have the same problems.  

The “tackling” yesterday was an insult to the word tackling.