However there is still a lot to feel good about.
Yes, we lost.
And yes, Randy Bullock blew an easy kick (allegedly because he hurt among his calfs).
Yes, it was mostly since of a questionable call against A.J. Green.
We invited the king and queen of Bengals positivity on the show to show and wrap up on Cincinnatis Week 1 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers.
Here are some of the positives:
1. Joe Burrow did Joe Burrow things. Yes, the shovel pass interception was extremely novice. However take a look at what the QB did in the plays before. He selected up a third down on a 15-yard completion to C.J. Uzomah and after that discovered the tight end again on the next play for 19 backyards.
Simply put, Burrow was clutch, cool, and accurate when it actually mattered. If youre wondering why he couldnt do that earlier, the answer is obvious– it took him a bit to settle behind bad offending line play and adapt to his environments. When he did, he looked every part the franchise player the Bengals drafted him to be.
Burrows final drive was even better. The next play, he found Ross once again, but the call was ruled insufficient on review. Burrow continued to spread out the ball around, discovering Mike Thomas twice, Uzomah once again, Giovani Bernard, and finally A.J. Green for what ought to have been the game-winning goal.
2. The defense was enormously enhanced. The Bengals enabled just 16 points after quiting 26.3 per game last year. The very first time they enabled so few points in 2015 was Week 12 against 2 QBs who belong in the XFL, Devlin “Duck” Hodges and Mason Rudolph of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bengals taking on was better versus the Chargers, who have their share of playmakers, including Mike Williams, Hunter Henry, and Austin Ekeler. And Geno Atkins is still out. In general, the protective unit looked cohesive and capable, things we could not state about them in 2015.
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That alone shows Green still has the jets to be a # 1 option. In his QBs very first ever video game, one in which the Bengals only passed for 193 lawns and the receiver was rather restricted in his snaps (only 45, less than Boyd, Ross, and Uzomah), Green still had 5 receptions for 51 lawns.
Burrow continued to spread the ball around, discovering Mike Thomas twice, Uzomah once again, Giovani Bernard, and lastly A.J. Green for what need to have been the game-winning goal.
Still– Burrows interception was a fluke. It was a young QB with a strong desire to win attempting to make something happen when he hadnt hit on any big plays. Speaking of those plays, Burrow is not likely to miss Ross or Green for touchdowns really frequently like he did on Sunday.
Green got large open deep on 3rd and 6 with about 9 minutes left in the third quarter. That alone reveals Green still has the jets to be a # 1 alternative. In his QBs very first ever video game, one in which the Bengals only passed for 193 yards and the receiver was rather restricted in his snaps (only 45, less than Boyd, Ross, and Uzomah), Green still had 5 receptions for 51 backyards.
Despite all that bad luck, the Bengals were best in the blend till the final seconds. Sure calls wont constantly go our method, however the OPI on Green was, in my book, offensive– a 64 Hall of Fame type receiver doesnt need to press off to get separation. The refs need to know there was a lot of contact both ways before Greens last shove. But its been a while since theyve seen Green in action. So as he continues to make highlight plays, hell begin to get more of the super star treatment he deserves.
Speaking of those plays, Burrow is unlikely to miss Ross or Green for goals extremely often like he did on Sunday. Sure calls will not always go our way, but the OPI on Green was, in my book, offensive– a 64 Hall of Fame type receiver doesnt require to push off to get separation.
