futurecoach

Titans have definitely been playing better the last couple of weeks. I think this may be the game we see Chase Brown and the run game get going though. Bengals 27 Titans 10

Go Cats! And Go Irish!

Any info on stats, and or who looked good?

The battle of two teams who haven't really looked good, but credit to both teams as they keep finding ways to win ugly. So this probably will be an ugly game, and the question is who can win this game while playing the ugliest? I think the Steelers win, because the home teams typically win on Thursday nights at home.

Possibly poor game plan, at least for the defense on 3rd downs. However, I know I even said it in my post last night. The defense in the first half honestly was doing some good things, but for whatever reason they kept allowing the Ravens to find ways to convert 3rd downs, even third and longs. Which even for the best offenses, its usually not sustainable to convert as many 3rd downs as the Ravens did in the first half, especially the 3rd and longs. So possibly they changed their game plan a little bit at half to help clean up the third downs? As that was the biggest thing, the Bengals offense could never get on the field and could never get in a rhythm, since the Ravens were on offense the whole first half.

As frustrating as the first half was. The defense did good things in the first half too, that probably should have gave us some indication that it could turn around in the second half. As the defense kept putting the Ravens in 3rd down situations, they just somehow kept letting the Ravens convert every third down in the first half. Defense did a much better job getting off the field in the second half, and allowing the offense to actually get the ball and get in a rhythm.

Agreed! Honestly I think is partly why the Bengals always come on strong during the second half of seasons too. Taylor and the Bengals are not very innovative in regards to their scheme and knowing how to attack no matter what a team does. However, once they have plenty of film on a team and sees how a team is playing them. He and the staff always seem to have a good idea how to do things, once they have a lot of info on a team. Frustrating that they can’t be more innovative and knowing how to attack no matter what a team does. However, have to love how they have always shown the ability to adjust in the second half of games and after they have more film on teams as the season goes along.

Agree with you here!

I know a lot has been said about Beechwood’s district. However, looking at other districts. No matter what district Beechwood could be in. Most of their games would have been considered weak district games. When the reality is for Beechwood, O Cath, LCA, they are just that much better than their district opponents. Beechwood district last year had 2 other teams with them make the second round with them in Bracken and Walton. This year Beechwood has both Walton and St Henry in the top 16 of RPI and good chance the district produces 3 teams at least making the second round again. Gallatin, Owen, and Bracken this year definitely hasn’t helped their RPI. But I wouldn’t throw in the whole playing 5 weak district games hurting their RPI and it’s more so just 3. As the St. Henry and Walton games is not much different than what Beechwood could have seen from other districts if they were in another district.

Unofficial stats for the game: Walton-Verona 276 yards rushing and 3 TDS 115 yards passing a 1 TD 391 total yards St. Henry -6 yards rushing 127 yards passing 121 total yards

@Oldercoach This is why I mentioned two weeks ago that you may have been jumping the gun claiming St. Henry was already the second best team in their district. St. Henry is definitely building it right and is going to be a program that I think will make serious noise in a few years. As Coach Odom and their staff are doing an amazing job. So while they may not have been the second best team in the district this year. They are trending in the right direction. Last year making the playoffs in their first varsity year. This year winning more games and moving up to a 3 seed. Positioning themselves for a chance to get their first playoff win as they will travel to West Carter, but have a legit chance to win their first playoff game in school history.

Highlands 56 Scott County 21 If Scott County QB wasn't hurt, then I would have went more like Highlands 49 Scott County 35

Unfortunately it was a bad loss by the Bengals losing to them.

Bucs less than 100 yards rushing in the game. Texans less than 100 yards rushing in the game. Steelers did have 138 yards, with majority of them coming on two runs. Biggest issue in Steelers game was tackling receivers/TE's after the catch. Jags barely made it over the 100 yard mark. Dolphins you actually short changed as they had over 200 yards rushing. Two runs in the Steelers game and the whole Dolphins game are really the only times they were gashed in running game. Now with that said, you are correct the edge has been the issue as the Dolphins really exposed that. So they need to clean that up, or else the run defense will truly start to be a problem.

And yet not true. Only one team has truly gashed them with the run and that was the Dolphins. The first two games of the year neither team had success running the ball on the Bengals, as both had less than 100 yards rushing as a team. The Steelers had some success, but still only 138 yards rushing as a team. Biggest issue for the Bengals that game was tackling after made receptions, especially trying to tackle the big TE after he caught the ball. The Jags barely got more than 100 yards rushing as a team against the Bengals. The Dolphins though did kill the Bengals with the run, and had over 200 yards rushing.

While a Brossart win most likely means they will get the 2 seed, they doesn't automatically clinch the two seed with a win. They need a win and a Holy Cross win over Ludlow to clinch the 2 seed. While obviously Holy Cross is the favorite to beat Ludlow, if Ludlow were to upset Holy Cross. Then it would be a 3 way tie for first place and would come down to RPI for the seeding. Which if Ludlow were to upset Holy Cross, there is a possibility that Ludlow would move ahead in the RPI, especially if Ludlow were to then beat St. Henry the following week.

Defense has been doing exactly what they needed them to do this year. They have a DL that is putting pressure on the QB this year, getting sacks, and creating turnovers. Are they a top 10 defense no, because they do have some tackling issues that need to be cleaned up. However, the Bengals simply needed this defense to at least be middle of the pack, instead of worst in the league, and the defense has been much better this year. This team is built to be led by their offense, and their offense does need to get going. Which luckily past history shows, Burrow and the offense typcially start rolling around this time of the year now.

Ugh right? I mean trying to trade for a player to better your team, is such a dumb move. What a mess!

Yep they have done a good job finding ways to win ugly. They are the type of team playing like this, where they will go on a long losing streak at some point and miss the playoffs. Or be that team that sneaks in the playoffs, but not really be a true threat and out by round one.

This is a battle of the only two teams who have won the district, since this district was formed. Holy Cross is the favorite obviously, but if Ludlow can win this game, it will create a 3 way tie for first and come down to RPI. Which Ludlow then also has St. Henry next week, so if Ludlow wins these next two games. Ludlow rpi would get a big boast, and possibly get them ahead of both Holy Cross and Brossart to get the one seed.

I know I mentioned this as few weeks ago that besides for the top 3, NKY as a whole is down this year. With that said, I disagree that its been diminishing year over year. In fact I think NKY football has been pretty strong over the last few years with more teams even making runs in the playoffs. Beechwood, CovCath, Highlands have been doing their thing still over the last few years. However, over the last few years you had Cooper make multiple state title games. You had Ryle in a state title game, and a State Semi-Final game in 6A. Highlands themselves would have been in two state title games over the last 3 years, if it wasn't for Cooper as Cooper beat them in State Semifinals two years in a row. We have also seen either Ludlow and Newport have teams playing for regional championships over the last couple of years. Lloyd just last year was playing in the State Semifinals and was just a couple of plays away from playing for a state title. As a whole I believe NKY actually has been really strong over the last few years before this year and seen success across multiple classes. A lot of those teams lost a lot of talented players to graduation, which is a part of the drop off we have seen this year.

To answer your question on a 3 way tie. Rather it be a 3 way tie for first, or a 3 way tie for second behind Ryle. RPI in both scenarios would determine it. So if Campbell wins and Ryle beats SK. Then it would be a three way tie and RPI would determine the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th seeds.

We will never know. However, can just look at evidence even that year in primetime games. As even with Dalton they lost primetime games against the Cardinals and a bad Houston team at home. Dalton had a great year in 2015, however even as good as he was that year. He still showed many of the same issues that year as he always had. Which was struggling against Pittsburgh, and struggling to win games in Primetime. As I have mentioned, I know I am in the minority with this. However, IMO Dalton given one of the best situations in the NFL from 2012 to 2015. Without that Dalton career probably would have been more of a career backup spot starter type of guy, much like he has been since he left Cincinnati. He had a long career as a starter because of the player around him. From 2012 to 2015 I firmly believe those were some of the most talented Bengals teams top to bottom in Bengals history. Had very good defenses, solid offensive line, solid run game, a good WR core with a stud WR in Green too. A playmaker TE in Eifert when healthy. So literally everything they needed to be a special team, besides having a QB who can make plays in big games and moments when needed.

I am in agreement with you on your assessment on the 2011, 2013, and 2014 years. I disagree with it in regards to the 2012, and 2015 years. 2012: It was an awesome game where the Bengals clinched a playoff spot at Pittsburgh, they won 13-10. However, the offense only scored 6 points that day. The defense had a pick-six early in the game and then came up with another interception to set up the game-winning field goal. Dalton did make a nice throw after that interception, so he deserves credit for that. He has shown he actually could make some key throws in big moments, as long as it was an afternoon game in the regular season! However, for the game, Dalton threw 2 interceptions, had a QB rating of just 58, and a QBR of 31. So, as was often the case with Dalton in big games, especially against Pittsburgh, he struggled. Luckily, the defense played lights out that day. Imagine if Burrow had that defense! Then, in the playoff game, you mentioned the missed pass, and that was always the issue with Dalton. In primetime games and playoff games, when you needed your QB to step up and make a winning play, he simply failed to deliver, even when the opportunities were there. 2015: I know I'm probably in the minority here, but I actually think Dalton's thumb injury may have saved him from some criticism. Because of that injury, people can always play the "what if he never got hurt" game and look at it in a positive light. However, even with how well he was playing that season, his history doesn't exactly support the idea that things would have turned out differently had he stayed healthy. In the two losses the Bengals had before Dalton got hurt, both once again came in primetime. One was that ugly 10-6 home loss to a 4-5 Texans team, where Dalton had another one of his typical dud primetime performances. To his credit, he actually played well the following week in another primetime loss against Palmer and the Cardinals. As for the game against Pittsburgh when Dalton got hurt, there really isn't much reason to believe the result would have been different had he stayed healthy. Dalton simply never played particularly well against the Steelers. Even earlier that season, when the Bengals beat Pittsburgh 16-10, Dalton didn't play well. He threw 1 touchdown and 2 interceptions, had a QB rating in the 60s, and a QBR in the 30s. Once again, it was the defense that played lights out and helped secure the win. In the game where Dalton got hurt, McCarron actually came in and performed a little better than Dalton typically did against Pittsburgh. McCarron threw for 280 yards, 2 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, finished with a QB rating in the 90s, and had a QBR in the 40s. So even if Dalton doesn't get hurt, his history against Pittsburgh doesn't exactly give much reason to believe the Bengals would have won that game with him. The same can be said about the primetime game at Denver. Based on Dalton's history in those situations, there really isn't much reason to assume he would have won that game and secured the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye. Especially considering they already lost 2 primetime games that year already with Dalton. That means there's a very good chance the Bengals still end up playing Pittsburgh in the first round of the playoffs. And when you consider Dalton's track record against the Steelers, in primetime, and in the playoffs, and add in it was raining too, there isn't much evidence to suggest he would have been the difference in winning that game. So, while a lot of people like to look at 2015 and wonder how great things could have been if Dalton had never gotten hurt, I actually look at it a little differently. I think there's a legitimate argument that Dalton's injury may have saved him from even more criticism and possibly even extended his time in Cincinnati. Because what happens if he stays healthy, and the same Dalton we've seen struggle in those big moments shows up again during that crucial final month of the season and in the playoffs? If that happens, and the Bengals once again fail to win a playoff game with Dalton at quarterback, there's a very real possibility his time in Cincinnati ends even sooner. Instead, the injury gave everyone the ability to wonder what could have been, rather than potentially seeing the same struggles we had already witnessed from Dalton in those situations throughout his career. That's why I've never been completely sold on the idea that the Bengals would have made a deep playoff run in 2015 if Dalton had stayed healthy. Could they have? Absolutely. But based on his actual history in those situations, I don't think it's nearly as certain as some people make it out to be.

Agreed that the KHSAA needs to do away from districts, as no one benefits from these games. As take Beechwood for example, it really wouldn't matter what district they in for 2A. Besides for like maybe 5 teams in the state in 2A, Beechwood would running clock everyone else by the 3rd quarter at the latest. So unless you put one of those other top 5 teams in the same district as them, then the same thing would be said no matter what district they are in.