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I see 17-0

orange_black wrote: ↑

Thu May 14, 2026 8:13 pm

I see 17-0

Your consistent old friend, I'll give you that.

I see a 5-0 start is a serious reality if Zac can somehow figure out how to coach a team before Halloween. I'll give them 4-1.

Next 5 games I'll go 3-2 and say we slip up in Spain against the Falcons.

Next 5 games is where we shine. 4-1.

That leaves us with Baltimore on New Years Eve in Cincy. Absolutely electric game for the Division title. We should all seriously be at this game. Then we follow that up at home against the Browns for the #1 playoff seed and a 13-4 record.

This is our year boys!!!

stripesincarolina wrote: ↑

Sat May 16, 2026 2:09 pm

I see a 5-0 start is a serious reality if Zac can somehow figure out how to coach a team before Halloween. I'll give them 4-1.

Jacksonville was a playoff team last year. They might be better this year. Houston has the best defense in the league and its a home game for them. It will probably come down to which CJ Stroud shows up, the one that looked great for 2/3rds of last season or the one who couldn't hit the broad side of a barn the last four games or so.

Considering how awful we look early in the season, I figure we'll lose to Jacksonville and Houston and beat Tamp Bay, Pitt and the Fins.

3-2 at the break. Which considering who our head coach is, is not a terrible start.

We beat Jax last year even with our horrific defense. And their schedule was anything but difficult. They beat the Raiders by a point. So lets not assume they will keep pace with Burrow and the boys. I love our chances.

Houston might be a challenge, but again, I think our offense will be humming early in the season. Our early season defense is what kills us. You have to believe we have improved there.

4-1 or 5-0. We are NOT starting 3-2 with that schedule.

stripesincarolina wrote: ↑

Sat May 16, 2026 9:20 pm

Our early season defense is what kills us. You have to believe we have improved there.

4-1 or 5-0. We are NOT starting 3-2 with that schedule.

I don't think its the players fault we start out so slow each season recently. Its the coaches, and they haven't changed.

Bengals1 wrote: ↑

Sat May 16, 2026 11:29 pm

stripesincarolina wrote: ↑

Sat May 16, 2026 9:20 pm

Our early season defense is what kills us. You have to believe we have improved there.

4-1 or 5-0. We are NOT starting 3-2 with that schedule.

I don't think its the players fault we start out so slow each season recently. Its the coaches, and they haven't changed.

I disagree, I think it's the players not prepared for the season. Zach's tried everything and the seasons usually start the same very year. Burrow takes a few games to really get the bugs out.

MeatHeadbengal wrote: ↑

Sun May 17, 2026 2:23 am

I disagree, I think it's the players not prepared for the season. Zach's tried everything and the seasons usually start the same very year. Burrow takes a few games to really get the bugs out.

Up until last season when Zac made it a "priority" to get off to a fast start, he was barely playing our starters in the preseason.

Last year he (reluctantly) gave them more playing time. It helped but not much. Most critics (including myself) feel he still isn't giving the starters enough preseason experience.

I understand his logic, he doesn't want our players breaking down over the longer 17 game season that's the new norm.

We'll see how much preseason action the starters see this summer. I suspect not enough. Thus, my prediction for another bumpy regular season start.