The final single-digit week of the NFL season is within the books and that’s terrifying provided that it feels prefer it simply began.
Nonetheless, November is right here, the clocks fell again and severe stakes are actually on the road on a week-to-week foundation all through the Soccer League of Nationwide which is strictly what all of us reside for. Amid the concern it feels unbelievable; that’s what is so invigorating.
However with one other spherical of motion having handed, our opinions and assessments on all the things taking place proceed to alter. Every week we, Michael Peterson and RJ Ochoa, focus on sorting via the magic that the NFL simply provided and we’re about to do it once more.
Welcome to The Skinny Put up. Let’s have some enjoyable.
We might have written off the Bengals a bit too prematurely
RJ:
I’ll be the primary one to confess that I pounced on burying the Cincinnati Bengals when the chance offered itself a few month in the past. I even mentioned on this weekly column that their fame from reaching the Tremendous Bowl three years in the past is doing slightly little bit of heavy lifting relative to our perceptions about who they are surely.
Which will nonetheless be at the least partly true, however the Bengals are positively digging in and making a combat of this complete factor which is why now we have (apart from perhaps myself) realized to not disregard them within the Joe Burrow period. After Sunday’s newest win, the place Burrow himself was stellar in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders — who would go on to fireplace nearly all people — they’re yet another victory away from reaching .500 on the season.
The following recreation in query for Cincy is on Thursday night time in opposition to the Baltimore Ravens. As if that by itself didn’t excite you, take into account {that a} win would up the Bengals to 5-5 on the season whereas dropping the Ravens to 6-4, proper in entrance of them.
The Bengals are usually not lifeless but!
Michael:
Man, the Bengals actually have turned this factor round…or has it simply been a cake stroll of a stretch on the schedule?
Coming into Week 10, Cincinnati has received 4 video games. These wins got here in opposition to the Panthers (2-7), Raiders (2-7), Giants (2-7), and Browns (2-7).
Hmm. I feel there’s one thing in frequent with all of those groups however I simply can’t fairly put my finger on it…
Oh yeah, they’re all tied for the worst document within the NFL. It is sensible that they’ve had what seems to be a current resurgence as three of these additionally got here of their final 4 outings. Their subsequent three video games come in opposition to groups with profitable data within the Ravens (6-3 and whom they’ve already misplaced to), the Chargers (5-3), and the Steelers (6-2). There’s a fairly good likelihood that every one three video games are misplaced after which they’re observing a 4-8 gap that may be nearly not possible to climb out of for a postseason spot.
So are the Bengals really again? I’m going to need to say no till they present me extra over the following few weeks.
The brand new viral landing celebration impressed by an Incarnate Phrase broad receiver ought to stick round as a result of the NFL wants extra foolish celebrations
Michael:
I don’t know why I really feel so strongly about this however I do.
I don’t know in the event you noticed the unique, however a large receiver who performs for Incarnate Phrase scored a landing on Saturday after which instantly did a headstand together with his whole physique stiff and sticking straight up into the air earlier than gravity tilted him again to the bottom. It was nothing flashy or spectacular, nevertheless it was very foolish and gave the soccer world an excellent snort.
On Sunday, receivers Drake London and Amon-Ra St. Brown each did the identical celebration after scoring touchdowns of their respective video games. London’s was a bit weak in execution however St. Brown’s was a lot nearer to the unique. Both means, it was cool to see a small-school participant encourage a number of the greatest within the league to do the identical celebration.
The NFL has relaxed on celebrations lately which has allowed gamers to precise themselves extra freely within the largest moments of video games. For my part, the dances and such are cool, however there’s nothing like a celebration that leaves followers going, “hahaha….what?”
So in closing, I hope extra gamers select to be foolish gooses on the sphere as a result of the league wants it.
RJ:
There isn’t any query that that is very cool. My favourite half is actually the purpose of origin. {That a} small faculty like Incarnate Phrase serves because the genesis of all of it makes it all of the extra superior.
I’m not as enthusiastic about this as Michael, however I’ve zero difficulty with the celebration sticking round and changing into a little bit of a factor. Enjoyable is sweet for everybody concerned. I see actually no unhealthy outcomes from letting this be a factor.
In fact, because of this the NFL will discover some solution to destroy our enjoyable and take it away and justify doing so within the dumbest means potential.
Which crew is wanting like the highest teaching spot of 2025?
RJ:
Monday morning introduced with it the information that the New Orleans Saints had been firing Dennis Allen. On condition that they’ve misplaced seven video games in a row that is hardly surprising.
The Saints are formally the second crew this season to make a training change with the New York Jets dismissing Robert Saleh one thing like 5 months in the past or no matter it was. At current time, if I needed to guess, these different groups all have an opportunity of needing a brand new head coach within the offseason as properly:
- Dallas Cowboys
- New York Giants
- Chicago Bears
- Miami Dolphins
- Cincinnati Bengals
- Jacksonville Jaguars
I’ll admit that I’m considerably hedging my very own wager by together with the Bengals right here, however I’m simply attempting to think about what may very well be accessible. This group is considered one of eight, and that’s fairly regular for an offseason cycle. Simply go along with me for dialog’s sake.
If we assume these are (usually) the open posts throughout the league and you’re the candidate on the block… which spot would you like? You can also make an argument for the Bears I suppose, with Caleb Williams and the younger nucleus that Chicago is growing. That form of crew flourishing underneath a brand new workers is a sample now we have actually seen earlier than.
The Bengals need to be talked about due to the presence of the quarterback clearly, and there may be an argument to be made that Joe Burrow may make them No. 1.
In the end I feel that I feel the reply is Chicago.
Michael:
I additionally imagine Chicago is the reply right here in the event you weigh the second-year quarterback they’ll have to start with on prime of the younger nucleus you touched on. Rome Odunze paired with DJ Moore goes to be an amazing duo for years to come back if the offense can gel even additional over the upcoming offseason.
Whereas the Bears are engaging for apparent causes, the Bengals shouldn’t be missed as a crew with a reputable franchise quarterback and a top-5 receiver within the NFL. That facet of the ball will all the time have a better ground than most groups, merely because of what that pairing can do. I like this job probably for a coach who appreciates and needs to spend money on the trenches on each side of the ball, as a result of they positive do have Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard on that facet to go along with current Day 2 choose Kris Jenkins and veteran BJ Hill alongside the inside.
Two vital components of any soccer crew are already established right here, and if a savvy basic supervisor can be introduced in, I may see the Bengals bouncing again fast with some early hits within the new regime’s first draft, just like how the Chargers are wanting extra aggressive than anticipated because of an amazing 2024 rookie class.
Who’s one participant you assume deserved to be traded from a crew with no playoff hopes to a contender?
Michael:
They’ll by no means do it as a result of he’s simply so amazingly good however Giants Dexter Lawrence 110 p.c deserves to be on a greater crew than the G-Males. The man is an athletic marvel at his dimension and has 9 sacks via the primary 9 weeks of the season. His earlier profession excessive for a complete season was 7.5 in 2022. So let me reiterate: It’s ABSURD how properly he’s performing this 12 months and it’s merely a travesty that his efforts are being wasted on a crew that received’t make it to the postseason.
Free this man. Somebody. Anybody.
RJ:
I’m going to stay with my crew right here and provide up Zack Martin, as painful as it’s.
It was 10 years in the past when Dallas boldly (and rightfully) took Martin over Johnny Manziel and uncovered one of many best inside linemen of all time, not to mention simply his period.
However the state of the Dallas Cowboys is what it’s and I’ve watched too many legends of the franchise retired with out even a convention championship recreation look. DeMarcus Ware was in a position to break away and hoist the Lombardi Trophy, however what about Tony Romo? Jason Witten? Dez Bryant? Sean Lee? Tyron Smith left for greener, no pun supposed, pastures within the New York Jets and is studying that it’s exhausting in a number of locations, however the Cowboys discover a solution to entice individuals in a different way.
Let Zack Martin fly free. Please.
