Peko I would guess, but that is not the point. There is obviously something there. They were ranked in the top 5 the year before and as far as personnel not much changed.

 

If Peko is your third best player on Defense you aren't good. They played a lot of terrible teams last year. This year they've played one terrible team. Last years stats lied a little and their offense played ball control and ran the ball. Even last year they were calling themselves a group of guys nobody wanted. Maybe nobody wanted them because they weren't good??? They also had a little more motivation when Zimmer's wife passed. Injuries have for sure hurt them this year, but that's the point with the Bengals. They almost need every break to go their way and play a bad schedule to be good b/c they lack so much.

Just because there are not alot of big names on the defense does not mean that it's not good. It was great last year, not so good this year and the players didn't change. You don't get lucky for an entire season in the NFL, so I think motivation or something else is missing.

 

They had the lead alot last year but they were not a talented team? You've already stated the coaching is horrible so that couldn't be the reason they were ahead alot either? Did teams just spot them a lead or are you just going in circles trying to make your argument work?As for Sanchez he has been money in close games this year, especially lately. He's a 2nd year QB so struggles are to be expected over the course of a season. This time last year Matt Ryan didn't look too good. Now look at him. I don't think Sanchez is on his level but he's shown flashes this season of having the potential to be a really good QB IMO.

 

The only playoff teams they beat last year were Baltimore and GB. They played a terrible schedule.

The only playoff teams they beat last year were Baltimore and GB. They played a terrible schedule.

 

It is still the NFL. It's not like they were playing Eastern Kentucky, Morehead and KCU on a weekly basis.

While I'm not ready to write Peyton's NFL obituary yet, I do rather enjoy the frequent sightings of "The Manning Face."

Last season the Bengals won their division and went 6-0 in the division. If that is underperforming sign me up please.

 

But he went 4-7 outside of the division, including the playoffs.

But he went 4-7 outside of the division, including the playoffs.

 

You sweep your division you win your division. I'll take that. Especially if it's considered a down year.

Just because there are not alot of big names on the defense does not mean that it's not good. It was great last year, not so good this year and the players didn't change. You don't get lucky for an entire season in the NFL, so I think motivation or something else is missing.

 

I agree. The schedule argument only goes so far. They swept the North last year, which means they had 4 wins against Pittsburgh and Baltimore. And, they did it by being more physical than those teams (seems hard to believe now). Those two teams may be better this year, but they weren't pushovers last season. The corners are good. Odom was good last year before being injured. The LB's played well last season also. They might have exceeded their talent level last year, but they are vastly underperforming this season. The Bengals should not be 2-10 based on talent.

Sanchez has been good this season with the exception of last night. Have you not been watching the NFL this season?

 

I'm still waiting to see him play a good game.

This is the guy who's been playing good all year except last week?

 

Sanchez was 17-of-44 for 216 yards in the 10-6 loss to Miami. His quarterback rating was 45.3. In the seven weeks since the bye, Sanchez has completed only 137 of 264 passes -- 51.9 percent -- and has thrown 12 interceptions compared with only seven touchdowns. His confidence is clearly missing.

 

http://espn.go.com/nfl/notebook/_/page/lastcall1014/john-clayton-last-call

 

Yep, I've been watching football all year...

This is the guy who's been playing good all year except last week?

 

Sanchez was 17-of-44 for 216 yards in the 10-6 loss to Miami. His quarterback rating was 45.3. In the seven weeks since the bye, Sanchez has completed only 137 of 264 passes -- 51.9 percent -- and has thrown 12 interceptions compared with only seven touchdowns. His confidence is clearly missing.

 

http://espn.go.com/nfl/notebook/_/page/lastcall1014/john-clayton-last-call

 

Yep, I've been watching football all year...

 

The last 3 games have really skewed those numbers. Still I'll take a youngster who has shown he can pull it out at the end of games over a washed up has-been in Palmer if that's where this is going.