We're overhyping the Bengals

[Nelius]

Many of us really aren’t, it’s just that a lot of trolls and contrarians have felt it more safe to filter back after we destroyed the Dolphins so the depression seems louder. Rightfully so really, as Buffalo hasn’t been very good lately. But it’s still ultimately Burrow vs Allen, and our guy is, knock on wood, clearly more durable. Their defense is suspect and Burrow is a calf strain away from it being a completely different team, it’s foolish to act like they’d win easily.

 

All that said, old gun toting Joe Mixon always worries me against this team.

Edited November 1, 2023 by Nelius

[BarleyNY]

19 minutes ago, BillsFan692 said:

You want some cheese with that whine?

No whining here. I’m just not one to pretend something means more than it really does. But, hey, if you want to pretend that a win this weekend is adequate “revenge” for getting smacked down in the playoffs last season, then you do you. 

[Drew21PA]

My feeling is this.

 

it’s not so much the defense - I’m not seeing consistency from the offense and it’s troubling.  This game you NEED to rock it.  I just don’t see them doing it to make me feel it’s turned the corner back to dominant.

 

I also see a coaching problem and I feel - yet again - this team had 10 days and I’m willing to bet you we look unprepared from the get go yet again.

 

it bothers me so much I know it’s going to happen and it’s pathetic.  
 

this team has so much talent being wasted and it’s infuriating they are doing this to themselves 

[Mikie2times]

They have accomplished more with less time, we don't match up well against them, and they're playing better football right now. Who would present a more difficult match up for us? I prefer KC over them and the NFC is fairly weak. So I can't think of anybody.

[bmur66]

I hope I am wrong but I don’t see any reason to expect a different outcome this time.

Edited November 1, 2023 by bmur66

[RiotAct]

their offense is deep and, on paper, quite a mismatch for our banged-up defense.  BUUUUUUTTT, that’s why they play the games

 

[Nelius]

1 minute ago, bmur66 said:

I hope I am wrong but I don’t see any reason for a different outcome this time.

James Cook and Dalton Kincaid are two of mine 

[Richard Noggin]

54 minutes ago, newcam2012 said:

Can one "fall in a hole" and be overly optimistic? 

 

That would be more like poking one's head into the clouds?

[Richard Noggin]

1 hour ago, Drew21PA said:

My feeling is this.

 

it’s not so much the defense - I’m not seeing consistency from the offense and it’s troubling.  This game you NEED to rock it.  I just don’t see them doing it to make me feel it’s turned the corner back to dominant.

 

I also see a coaching problem and I feel - yet again - this team had 10 days and I’m willing to bet you we look unprepared from the get go yet again.

 

it bothers me so much I know it’s going to happen and it’s pathetic.  
 

this team has so much talent being wasted and it’s infuriating they are doing this to themselves 

 

So how will you process things if the Bills come out and execute like they did against Miami? What does that look like?

 

You seem convinced of future futility based on selectively highlighted past failures...but what about their past successes? To be fair, the Bengals essentially ended the Bills 2022 season twice last year. No doubt. And their offense still seems uniquely capable of abusing our off-zone cushions through the air, and our nickel and dime personnel groupings on the ground. But this is 2023 now. The teams are not the same. It's a new matchup. McD and Dorsey are not clowns, despite how fans feel after losses.

[Dr.Sack]

To me it comes down to McDermott vs Taylor, and Dorsey vs Anarumo.

 

I think McD will get the best of Taylor, and Dorsey will have new wrinkles to attack Anarumo’s bend but don’t break defense. 

[folz]

4 hours ago, BarleyNY said:

LOL. Revenge for a playoff beat down is not possible in the middle of the regular season. 

 

Yes, every season is a new season, and a regular season game does not equate to a playoff game, but do you really think there is no revenge factor for this one? The Bills had to hear all off-season how the Bengals have surpassed them, are a tougher team, beat up on the Bills, etc. when the Bills know they were a depleted squad at the time, both roster-wise, and emotionally. They were not at their best by a long shot. Do you think Josh wants to hear how Burrow has surpassed him? Do you think Stefon doesn't want revenge for that playoff loss and will want to outdo Chase & Co., etc. We won't hear any of the Bills talk about it, but I think the revenge/payback/prove ourselves angle will play a big part in this one.

 

Sure, this is a pick-em game, because both teams are very good. But I'm not buying the Bengals are just too good, match up too well against us, are too tough crap either. I think the Bills will WANT this one more and still have the dogs to get it done. Last year was last year. Time for the 2023 team to show that no one has their number.

 

Go Bills!

[BillsFan619]

5 hours ago, Success said:

Great team, and they could absolutely beat us on Sunday.

 

But what's the deal?  Reading this board, we seem to have little to no chance.  If I just went by the posts here, I'd think Cincy was the top team in the league, and unstoppable.

 

The Bills have lost as many games as the Bengals.  Our losses were all close. Basically down to a play or 2.  The Bengals have been absolutely blown out - twice. Against the Browns and Titans; not exactly world beaters.

 

"Burrow's calf was hurt" seems to be the main excuse.  Kind of like JA's UCL the entire 2nd half of the 2022 season, or his shoulder much of this season.  Excuses are just that.  That team has gotten blown out - twice.

 

This is as even a match of good teams as there is in the NFL.  Let's take a break on the doom talk.  Their struggles have been very similar to ours this year.  This should be a great game.

 

 

I agree, bro. Like you, I'm not saying the Bengals can't win, but we have a great chance to win. And, when we've played our best this year, our best looks way better than their best. And, they've been inconsistent too just like we have.

 

It's obviously not the end all but the ESPN matchup predictor has us winning 66.9% of the time to the Bengals' 32.8% of the time.

 

Here's the link - https://www.espn.com/nfl/game/_/gameId/401547523.

 

Go Bills!

[ALLinALLEN]

There are many reasonable doubts why this bills team cant beat a surging bengals team that looks full go from last year. A lot of people picked the bengals to lead the afc this year - pre burrow injury. A lot of people picked the bengals to beat the bills before the season started and injuries arose too. I’m excited to see what we do against them, but it’s reasonable to see the hesitation to “ride the bills wagon”. We will see. 

[Dr.Sack]

I’m optimistic based on a few stats: 

 

The Bunguls have run for only 553 yards and 2 TDs all year, while giving up 970 and 6 TDs.

 

The Bengals are 0-3 when giving up 24 or more points. 

Buffalo is 4-1 when scoring 24 or more points. 

 

The Bills are 0-3 when running under 100 yards. 
 

The Bengals are 3-3 when running under 100 yards. The Bengals have only posted 1 100+ yard running game.

 

The Bengals replaced TE Hayden Hurst with an absolute dud, Irv Smith Jr. Hurst concussed Taron Johnson in the cancelled game and hurdled our defense in the playoff game. 

The Bengals don’t have RB Perrine.

 

Allen has +10 days rest, Burrow is rounding into form but has yet to be really challenged and chased around the pocket. I expect McDermott will play tighter coverages and challenge Burrow early and often. 

 

Edited November 1, 2023 by Dr.Sack

[GETTOTHE50]

I’ll be shock if they don’t put up 31 points on us. 
 

honestly see the score 31–13 or something if we’re lucky. 
 

you just can’t trust mcdorsey to make any sort of solid plan for good teams. 
 

this team will not be ready. i guarantee it

Edited November 1, 2023 by GETTOTHE50

[HomeskillitMoorman]

It's not necessarily that some of us think the Bengals are a dominant force that can't be beat...it's that we know we have an incompetent head coach that generally is not up to the challenge in big games. 

[John from Riverside]

My theory is that we’re playing down to opponents this year

 

We’ll see if that bears out on Sunday

[folz]

1 hour ago, GETTOTHE50 said:

I’ll be shock if they don’t put up 31 points on us. 
 

honestly see the score 31–13 or something if we’re lucky. 
 

you just can’t trust mcdorsey to make any sort of solid plan for good teams. 
 

this team will not be ready. i guarantee it

 

Bengals 31 Bills 13,  if we're lucky? Seriously? 

 

Maybe the Bills should just forfeit the game right now and rest up for week 10.

 

I certainly can't guarantee anything, but I would definitely bet against your take.

 

 

[stuvian]

The Bengals have started slowly but they are a mentally stronger team than we are after going to the big dance. They know they belong in the final four with the talent at WR and Burrow. We aren't there yet. I think Zac Taylor is the best coach in football. 

 

Talent wise we match up well but they are a stronger team emotionally after beating us at the Ralph in the divisional round. The AFC is really strong right now and there are many challengers. We'll have to be at our best to beat them.  

[Repulsif]

Current momentum

 

anyway, anything can happen in the NFL, it could be a blowout or a close one