Let's talk about the Cincinnati Bengals (AFC Championship Edition)

[Sassy Squatch]

Meh. Our defense hasn't been all that good lately outside of getting to play Roethlisberger. Even Denver smacked them around a bit. Onus is on the offense this game moreso than usual because Burrow is going to get his, especially with Chase and co.

[seamonster]

Originally Posted by Superturtle

Meh. Our defense hasn't been all that good lately outside of getting to play Roethlisberger. Even Denver smacked them around a bit. Onus is on the offense this game moreso than usual because Burrow is going to get his, especially with Chase and co.

You get close to Burrow you sack him. He's the WORST in the league with taking sacks. It's unreal. I can't see him continuing as a premier quarterback in the NFL if he keeps playing like that. So he may not get his.

[stevegroganfan]

Originally Posted by Superturtle

Meh. Our defense hasn't been all that good lately outside of getting to play Roethlisberger. Even Denver smacked them around a bit. Onus is on the offense this game moreso than usual because Burrow is going to get his, especially with Chase and co.

The Chiefs defense was pretty darn good against Buffalo considering the Bills scored every time against New England. Even if Patriots defense by that point of the season was below average, scoring a TD on every possession in the cold is impressive.

On the other hand, the Chiefs forced Bills to punt 4 times. Allen played a truly amazing game but the Bills offense didn't do nearly as well without the ball in Allen's hands. His teammates let him down a bit but Chiefs defense also needs to be credited for that. Chiefs got a big sack to force Buffalo to punt and that sack wasn't really Allen's fault like Burrow was legitimately to blame for a few of his sacks last week. One possession Buffalo ran 3 times without Allen running it and it was 3 and out. Another possession, it was 2nd and 2 after an Allen pass and the defense stopped the next 2 non Allen runs.

I suspect the real reason Buffalo didn't risk having Allen throw ever more is Chiefs got pretty good pressure and were winning at the line of scrimmage more often than not. The threat of Allen running up the middle is one thing that slowed down the Chiefs line from attacking even more. Allen had to go Cam Newton to get them some key first downs since Bills coach really didn't trust his running backs or receivers enough to pick up the yards.

I really thought that for the most part, Chiefs defense was at least good. The pressure on Allen was good to very good on most plays. He didn't have all day to throw like he did against the Patriots. The Chiefs secondary was good considering the circumstances but just need to credit Allen for making some great throws.

The advantage Cincy has is Cincy receivers > Buffalo receivers. No one in his right mind wouldn't take Chase over Diggs. And Cincy may learn from Buffalo mistakes and Cincy being toughened up by Titans defense may help their offense return to form a little bit. But there is no getting around that the Chiefs should win both lines of scrimmage.

The way I see it, Chiefs will in all likelihood make the SB and be 2.5 point favorites over the Rams or be even bigger favorites over the Niners.

[tredadda]

Originally Posted by stevegroganfan

The Chiefs defense was pretty darn good against Buffalo considering the Bills scored every time against New England. Even if Patriots defense by that point of the season was below average, scoring a TD on every possession in the cold is impressive.

On the other hand, the Chiefs forced Bills to punt 4 times. Allen played a truly amazing game but the Bills offense didn't do nearly as well without the ball in Allen's hands. His teammates let him down a bit but Chiefs defense also needs to be credited for that. Chiefs got a big sack to force Buffalo to punt and that sack wasn't really Allen's fault like Burrow was legitimately to blame for a few of his sacks last week. One possession Buffalo ran 3 times without Allen running it and it was 3 and out. Another possession, it was 2nd and 2 after an Allen pass and the defense stopped the next 2 non Allen runs.

I suspect the real reason Buffalo didn't risk having Allen throw ever more is Chiefs got pretty good pressure and were winning at the line of scrimmage more often than not. The threat of Allen running up the middle is one thing that slowed down the Chiefs line from attacking even more. Allen had to go Cam Newton to get them some key first downs since Bills coach really didn't trust his running backs or receivers enough to pick up the yards.

I really thought that for the most part, Chiefs defense was at least good. The pressure on Allen was good to very good on most plays. He didn't have all day to throw like he did against the Patriots. The Chiefs secondary was good considering the circumstances but just need to credit Allen for making some great throws.

The advantage Cincy has is Cincy receivers > Buffalo receivers. No one in his right mind wouldn't take Chase over Diggs. And Cincy may learn from Buffalo mistakes and Cincy being toughened up by Titans defense may help their offense return to form a little bit. But there is no getting around that the Chiefs should win both lines of scrimmage.

The way I see it, Chiefs will in all likelihood make the SB and be 2.5 point favorites over the Rams or be even bigger favorites over the Niners.

Good write up. I will also say that had Mathieu not gone out after the first series, Davis doesn't get four TDs, at least a couple due to being wide open. Take those out and the game most likely isn't as close as it ended up being.

[stevegroganfan]

Originally Posted by tredadda

Good write up. I will also say that had Mathieu not gone out after the first series, Davis doesn't get four TDs, at least a couple due to being wide open. Take those out and the game most likely isn't as close as it ended up being.

I agree with you that Mathieu was missed and with him given the way the game played out probably not as close.