The Ravens and the Bengals play this week, who do you want to lose an why??

The Bengals win leaves both teams only 1 game ahead of us in the Division, but puts us in either third or tied for last.

The Ravens win leaves us tied with Cincy, possibly Pittsburgh, but puts Ravens two games ahead of us.

Interested in deeper analytics too!

From the standpoint of "just make the playoffs and go from there" standpoint, a Ravens win would serve the Browns better.

https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/2021-nfl-predictions/

I really hate the Bengals, especially living in Bengals country, but it pales in comparison to my utter abhorrence of the Ravens, for obvious reasons. I'm not rooting - but hoping - the Bengals win against the Ravens. The Bengals have that same stigmatic drop-the-ball factor that we have when it comes to the rest of the season. The Ravens don't. I want the Ravens to lose and I want them to lose at almost any opportunity.

If we get healthy, I feel like we should beat the Bengals twice, while I think a split with the Ravens is more likely. For that reason, I'd rather Cinci win this game with Balt, because it would clear a path to the AFCN title for the Browns. If we don't get healthy (Mayfield, Chubb, Hunt, Landry, et al), it doesn't matter either way.

Bengals, no brainer. Puts us closer to the top and ANYTHING that hurts the rats helps us. We can beat the bengals.

I’d like Cincy to win. But I understand how it would help us more if they lose

I don't see it . Bengals winning keeps both teams one game above us so how do you think Ravens winning is better?

Because if the goal is trying to make the playoffs not just the division, percentage-wise knocking Cincy down a peg helps us more in that regard

I'm not sure of your logic because the goal is to be as close to the top as possible.. one game out of first is better than 2.
At the end of season when you can't win the division your logic would hold water but today it doesn't

Go Bengals!

It keeps us within one game of the division lead if the Ravens lose. Yeah, Cinci will be a game up on us if they win on Sunday, but we’ll take care of the Bengals when we play ‘em.

I hope they both lose…
Take care of your own business and you don’t have to worry.

As of today, a bengals win is the more beneficial. And that is based on, the games which already have outcomes that create,
the Ravens are 3-1 vs. the afc west.
the Browns are 1-2 vs. the afc west.
the bengals are 0-0 vs. the afc west.
the steelers are 1-1 vs. the afc west. and all 4 play 4 games total vs the afc west, this year.

If one thinks the afc west is full of good teams that will continue to play well, you want to give losses to the ravens. and the Ravens 3-1 afc west record can no longer be beaten or matched by the browns, but the bengals could still lose all 4.

It also matters if you want to seed the playoffs this week, or at the end of the year, since it's at the end of the year, it's better to push that loss on the ravens. We want to push a bunch of losses onto the ravens.

I'd be satisfied with a tie!

It's in Baltimore, I just found out, reminded its in Baltimore. So!
you have to
really really
honestly, truly!!! consider,

That if the road team is attempting a kick, like a field goal,
and you can watch this, I guaran-dang-te it.

The kick will be up, it will reach height, and when it reaches height, it will be pushed left to right, from the line of scrmmages perspective,
as if hit by a 40 mph cross wind,
which I'm pretty sure they form in that stadium, though not sure how,

But it happened last year against the Browns twice, it happened against the Chargers I think this year.

look for it! It will happen again, believe your own dang eyes. Missed field goal? watch for that 40mph cross wind.

No other ball can change trajectory, so massively, after it's left a kickers foot or even the height where any player could tip it
and be headed right toward the center of the field goal,
and then shift so far off course.

True story, but, don't take my word for it, watch for yourself, believe your own eyes, because I'm pretty sure it will happen again.

Maybe it’s the 5G towers causing it.

Going to need a tin foil hat to watch football around here soon. smh

The key to beating the ravens is almost 100% stop Lamar.

Leveon Bell looks like he's running in mud. Nice sack by old friend Larry Ogunjobi. Jackson taking some hits today.

Like watching Lamar take hits. Would make it my screen saver if I used one.

Burrow taking some shots too. He might not last the season with this o-line.

Bengals up 3-0

So far, we are better than both teams in this game. I though Lamar would roll the Bengals from jump. They are keeping him in check and leading by 3 at the beginning of the second. Why does Lamar play so much better against us?

You have Joe Mixon and you give it to Samaje Perine on 3rd and short?

I wonder if Coach Stef is watching and making a note that Cinci can't cover the TE?

The Bengals were very quick to call the rollout pass to the tight end which became a td. it was immediatedly after the ravens were penalized for roughing the passer. it was a very very quick playcall.

such a quick call, I suspect, that the plan all along was to call that rollout pass to the tight end, no matter anywhere on the field, after the first, (or any) roughing the passer call would give them the 15 yards and auto 1st down, I'd watch to see if it happens again.

Lamar is so amazing

Much of that was boring. Now they are at halftime.

How did the titans hold the chiefs scoreless for an entire half! Unless/Because their defensive coordinator is NOT a super genius.

Is Washington, Wr Terry McLaurin better than any Wr in the AFC North, or is he just being used better?

To see what it means to have a WR that can get open in space, (on that play to bateman) in spite of a ho hum 40 yard dash time.
Next play was a touchdown, but the previous play tells the story.

Times in the 40 don't mean jack. Can you get open, and can you catch a ball. That's what matters.

Joe Burrow is so amazing

I wonder if Coach Stef is watching and making a note that Cinci neither of these teams can cover the TE?

Jamarr Chase is unbelievable

Nothing makes me happier seeing a RatBird beat except a Browns win

I miss kickoff returns.

Bengals look better than the Browns

Bengals are probably the division winners. They are quite a bit farther ahead than us. More proof you have to have a decent passing game and able to push the ball downfield.

It's funny that the Bengals are playing the Ravens and spanking them and the take away is the Bengals are better than the Browns!

Translate for me, what does "they are quite" mean?

Despite any run by burrow for a td.
The bengals aren't in that position without the dumb qb to wr combo. The ability to get deep quick pass scores in less than 4 plays from the start of a drive.

The only, part of the bengals better than the browns is the conglomerate of cornerbacks,
their top 5.5-6 corners, are better than the browns top 5.5-6, if you include only corners and not safeties.

Playcalling matters, and that includes defensive playcalling.

agreed. It helps when you can get the ball back for your offense

Love watching Baltimore lose.

I think it meant quite a bit.
There really could be an 11-6 team, on the seasons final day, still watching other teams to see if they get in the playoffs and another 11-6 team that does not get in, in the AFC this year. It may hinge on how well the #2 afc south team does, which likely would be the Colts.

The Bengals are benefiting from not playing any AFC west games yet.

Agree. But we just traded one problem for another.

The bengals are gonna be a huuuge problem. AFC north football is no freaking joke.

Nah, we'll beat the Bengals twice.

Why is the Chase to Burrow connection dumb?
Wasnt that the expectations for Mayfield and OBJ to be that lethal
Which hasnt happened yet?

When I told my wife today that the Bengals were playing the Ravens, she said, "So who are we rooting for?" I replied, "The meteor falling from the sky to land on the field..."

We root for whoever is on defense to pound the living turtles out of the other team. I want nothing good for either of them. My wife really has her hate on for any coach ending in Harbaugh. The way we have played, both of these could be trouble. I believe Keenum can play well against anybody. Would help if some of the walking wounded would cowboy up and contribute. Fingers crossed. Bungalows impressed me today.

I would not bet on it.

Bengals luck out next week: at NY Jets without wilson

I was laughing about him with my hockey buddies during the preseason but holy smokes is Chase the real deal.

Bengals seem to have a really stout front. A bunch of no-names just doing their jobs. I didn't see any special schemes at work. They didn't seem to allow Jackson to escape the pocket but it wasn't like they were hanging back and just trying to contain him either. Both Olines looked bad.

Cinci kinda followed the "Beat Balt Script". Get some early stops combined with early scores. Cinci was ahead by 2 scores when crunch time hit and that Balt offense did what it usually does in that situation.

It looked like the Bengals came up with some well.timed blitzes forcing Lamar to
Throw before the targets were ready.
It also helps if you can rush 4 and drop.7 vs the Ravens.
People slept on the Bengals this year. Now the experts are eating humble pie
Over the Chase /Sewell debate. Chase might be a top 5 WR now.
I.thought Sewell was way over rated at Oregon. Played in a offense with quick throws
And he faced lackluster competitors

About the midpoint of the 3rd quarter, the Bengals had a 10 point lead, after that their defense forced 2 punts and 3 turnovers on downs and their offense just pounded it down their throat... at about that same point in the game, we had a 9 point lead on the Chiefs and gave up 13 and we had a 14 point lead on the Chargers and gave up 34 more points. Credit to the Bengals, this was a "signature win".. something the Browns desperately need.... and while beating the Steelers would be nice and would mean a lot, it's not really a signature win... our first signature win could come against.... the Bengals.

Complementary football. It's paramount against top tier teams.

Something the Browns have lacked so far this season.

I'm most surprised with the Bengals defense. Momentum and confidence goes a long way in football.

And the truth is the Ravens aren't that good. Their 5-1 record should have actually been 2-4.

Wish we had a fully healthy team, but we won't be favored against the Bengals if Baker doesn't play.

As for Burrow, he is clearly limited physically. Very average arm. But he seems to understand what the defense is doing and just throws 8 yd lollipops all game to counter. Baker is physically superior but I can't remember the last time he recognized a blitz and did something to beat it. Baker just seems very confused after the snap if his first read is gone.

I think all the Jamarr Chase bashing from being the 5th overall pick to dropping balls in the preseson are pretty much history.

Yep. Unfortunate for the Browns. Wish they had drafter Penei Sewell.

Rish... Joe Burrow may not have a cannon for arm, but does it matter?

Burrow was pushing the ball down the field today. Shortened up late in the game when they were killing clock, had a big lead and let Mixon control the game.

The second-year QB looked to push the ball downfield early and often, posting an 11.7 average depth of target and throwing just 36.8% of his passes short of the sticks.

https://www.pff.com/news/nfl-week-7-game-recap-cincinnati-bengals-41-baltimore-ravens-17

Chase is very impressive. He’s already a top 5-ish WR I think.

Adams, Diggs, Kupp are probably top 3 … then there are young guys like Lamb and Chase who are right there next

Burrow put up 416 yards on the Ravens.

The Bengals are in first place. Burrow is the team leader.

Burrow has poise in the pocket even though he is not a mobile type. He slides to space and keeps his eyes downfield.
He is accurate.

I have seen enough of Burrow to know he can rally a team. IMO he is a damn good quarterback.

Agreed. And their protection really hasn’t been an issue. They are an all-around team with better QB/WR play than we do. Even Mixon is just a step below our RBs.

to beat them we really, really have to pound them with the run game, control the clock, and get a few timely TO’s

Only one thing to say about the Bengals,, They appear to be for REAL

Their Oline did NOT look good, IMO. I think Burrow is one of those QBs that can make up for some poor Oline play.

Arm strength is a over rated subject when talking about
QBs. How many QBs drafted high had great rocket arms
Only to be out of the league in 4 years.
Do Brees and Brady have great arms?
People forget Burrow just played his 16th NFL game.
In game 16 he roasted a Ravens defense that shut down
Justin Herbert. And he did it without relying on a running
Game.

Burrow checks more boxes than Baker. Anticipation, understanding
Coverages, etc

Tyreek Hill?

Yeah he’s definitely on the short list. My point was just that Chase is already up there with those select few

Burrow is definitely an elite level QB in the making. One thing about him though - as we saw last year - is he takes some significant hits during the games. It feels like he's always just one play away from injury, wherein the bottom would fall out. Like Andrew Luck without the build.

Also, one thing to note, the Bengals defense kept their DEs very disciplined. They did not let Jackson get behind them. They collapsed the pocket and kept him in front. They gave up trying to sneak around for the sack in order to try and keep Jackson in the pocket. It was especially effective. The one time they got away from that was before the half when the Ravens had a touchdown drive. Went back to it in the second half and they really pulled away.

I don't know why other teams haven't picked up on that, especially us. It could be that there's a discipline issue and the DL gets too antsy to start going around or shooting gaps when they need to stay home.

Jackson also didn't get clobbered yesterday, but he took significantly more contact than he normally does.

Three weeks ago it was Mahomes and Stafford, two weeks ago Herbert, now this week Burrow…The media goes crazy for “elite “ QBs with big statistical games.
I define elite however by wins and losses as well
Someone let me know when Burrow goes to the playoffs and, for that matter, wins a playoff game on the road. Like our bashed Qb did just a short year ago.

Doesn't matter. Woods will rely on front 4 pressure and Burrow will pick us apart for 350yds and 4 TDs. Unless our Defense steps up against quality teams, we are in a world of trouble

How much of that has to do with their receivers abilities' to track the ball in the air?

That’s what you get when you choose a WR within the first 5 picks of the draft.
Who on our team are you comparing him to? Let me guess, our mid round pick WR you love to bag on… Imagine that, the top WR in the draft is out performing our 3rd round pick. Who’s have thought it?!
Here’s a question THROW. Who on our team, taken in the first 5 picks would you be willing to give up to have taken a top WR like Chase? Would it be Myles? Or Baker? I guess in hindsight Ward, as he’s been injury prone. Which wasn’t an issue as a Buckeye. That I recall. As a side note, when healthy as a rookie he played at a Pro Bowl level.
So where were we to grab a JaMarr Chase type WR? Or are you just posting to bag on Schwartz again?
I think I know the answer.

No doubt elite of the week.

Mahomes walked on water. Oh wait he throws int's as good as others.

Next - Lamar MVP the game changer. Wait he didn't change that game.

Herbert is the new elite. Ouch they scored 6 against the Ravens.

Wait Burrow put up 41 on the Ravens. He must be elite.


Flavor of the week.

All I care about is how the Browns are going to stop them when we see them. I don't see our secondary being anything more than a speed bump for either of those QBs.

True.

They have weapons. Pressure. It all starts there. That is where Berry spent the money.

There and corners. Our defense is capable. But it will be a serious challenge.

I respect Burrow. He really impressed me his first year. I like his mental make-up.

Mixon runs hard. Our DL will have their hands full.

I was thinking before the season began that the Bengals would be a problem.

They took a big risk drafting a receiver over a OT. We may have to make them pay for that decision.

End the end for us it will be all about the pass rush.

Joe Burrow had a great game, but he took at least 6-7 hard shots from his blind side yesterday. Justin Houston and (I believe) Calais Campbell gave Bengals LT Jonah Williams fits all day. Houston and Campbell are good, but they aren't Myles Garrett-good. Myles could - and should - be a game changer when we play Cinci, because their LT is just not that good. I don't wish injury on Burrow, but I'll be surprised if he lasts the season without a significant injury. The Bengals took a calculated risk when they chose Ja'Marr Chase in the 1st round instead of OL help, and it looks good for them right now, but that might change before season's end.

You forget: Holding Myles is legal.

JaMarr Chase impacts that offense more.than Sewell. Chase is a gamechanger.
If the Bengals drafted Sewell they are a 2-5 team at best.he is struggling in Detroit
Watching the game it looked like the Bengals LT settled in after a couple series vs Houston.
The Browns CBers will.have to really stick on.the Bengals WRs in order for Myles to get to.Burrow
Marlon Humphrey looked like a practice squad CB vs Chase.and Marlon is a All.Pro

It might. Just as we have a good Oline but our QB got banged up because our good Oline got banged up..

SMH & SMH

Sad to acknowledge that now a solid game plan has to account for NFL officials, especially in 4th quarter. Our game complexion is totally different if the holding gets called even partially. BUT! Let's move them around more, press more, blitz more. Is Woods helping the elite or are they helping him. We can't carry his D and squander their ability.

Wait! Well, we can. Our upside runs through the Woods. Hope we survive. Ski needs to ramp this up some. Ratbirds looked like our "bad" D against Cincitucky.

Burrow is really good at beating the blitz, so in that regard Woods' base D is what we want. And I do expect our defensive front to work over their Oline. The problem is that Burrow makes that Oline look MUCH better than they are by getting the ball out quick, and I just don't see our secondary capitalizing on us rushing Burrow.

Yeah, I remember we actually blitzed a decent amount against the Bengals during our second game with them last year, and it did not work. I remember screaming at the TV to stop the blitz because Burrow just kept hitting the hot reads. That being said, I also remember our blitzes being very poor in design and pretty telegraphed.

I remember Myles getting after Burrow in both games last year, one time with the strip sack. Another time where he chased Burrow damn near to the sideline and sacked him. I - in my infinite football wisdom - wouldn't mind seeing more of a simulated pressure design coming from all angles like we saw against Minnesota when we play the Bengals.