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Cincinnati Bengals Defense Destroyed by Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football | OTB 9.24.24

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Rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels and the Washington Commanders stole the show in their 38-33 upset victory over Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals on "Monday Night Football." Daniels, the No. 2 pick in the 2024 draft, led the Commanders down the field for touchdowns on each of their first four full drives to build a 28-13 lead midway through the third quarter and held off the Bengals from there. The former Heisman winner from LSU showed off his dual-threat ability in the win. He tossed two TDs and ran for one, finishing the night 21-of-23 for 254 yards while running for another 39 on 12 carries. For the second time in three games, the Bengals were big home favorites over a team that had a rough 2023 season. And yet again, Cincinnati suffered a stunning upset. Led by rookie quarterback Jayden Daniels, the Commanders topped the Bengals 38-33 to send Cincinnati to an 0-3 start. Daniels produced a masterful performance. Washington scored touchdowns on five of its first six drives, including a 27-yard pass from Daniels to wide receiver Terry McLaurin to salt away the win with 2:10 left. Before the season started, the Bengals were in the conversation to challenge Kansas City for the AFC title. But a third AFC title meeting in four seasons between the teams seems very distant right now. According to ESPN Research, only six teams have reached the playoffs in the Super Bowl era after an 0-3 start to the season. Troubling trend: Failing to convert possessions into touchdowns was an issue last week against the Kansas City Chiefs and persisted against Washington. In the second quarter, Cincinnati had three drives inside Washington's 30-yard line. The Bengals settled for field goal tries on all three of them. Kicker Evan McPherson made 2 of 3 attempts. Biggest hole in the game plan: Containing Daniels. The rookie quarterback made running the offense look effortless in his third career start. Daniels completed 14 of his first 16 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown. He also scrambled for one touchdown to help the Commanders torch Cincinnati's defense. Washington scored touchdowns on its first four drives

DAVID BELL IS FIRED! Cincinnati Bengals vs Washington Commanders Preview! | OTB 9.23.24

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Reacting to Reds Firing David Bell and the Bengals Monday Night Game.
Discussing Article Written by Ben Baby ESPN Writer - https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/41332441/joe-burrow-says-bengals-fine-spot-0-2-start There are two ways to view the Cincinnati Bengals' first two weeks of the season. On one side, players and coaches have expressed the disappointment that comes with starting 0-2 for the third straight season and the fifth time in the past six years. On the other -- as quarterback Joe Burrow pointed out Thursday -- is that the familiarity that comes with the slow start means Cincinnati knows what it will take to snap the skid and beat the Washington Commanders on Monday night. "We're in a fine spot," Burrow said in his weekly news conference. "We've been here before. We're not panicking. We're focused on getting a win and getting better every day." Burrow said he's not sharing the same feeling of frustration that he had following Sunday's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bengals led in the fourth quarter and were a defensive stop away from beating their AFC rivals. However, a defensive pass interference penalty on fourth-and-16 set up the winning field goal in Kansas City's 26-25 victory. In four of Burrow's five NFL seasons, Cincinnati has lost its first two games of the season. The exception was in 2021, when the Bengals beat the Minnesota Vikings in overtime of Week 1. Since then, the star quarterback has battled various injuries at the start of the year -- a ruptured appendix (2022), a calf injury (2023) and recovery from wrist surgery (2024). "We've treated every practice like it's the same," he said. "We pride ourselves on us not being able to tell if we win or lose. At practice, we're going to go out and have fun and get our work in and get better." Bengals coach Zac Taylor said despite the rough start to the year, which included a Week 1 loss to the New England Patriots although Cincinnati was favored by more than a touchdown, it doesn't feel as if the team is pressing unnecessarily as it prepares to face Washington (1-1) or is carrying any undue tension. Taylor said he has never felt that from the players, which is why the team has handled these situations well before. "I feel this is a very comfortable team that understands how to work," Taylor said. "How to have that preparedness about them that can lead to confidence and can lead to being at ease." Cincinnati did get a boost Thursday, as wide receiver Tee Higgins practiced for the first time since he suffered a hamstring injury Sept. 5. Higgins, who sat out the first two games, was a limited participant. Taylor said the team will see how Higgins continues to progress throughout the week. If he can play, Burrow and the rest of the team are well aware of the impact the fifth-year receiver can make on Cincinnati's offense.

Cincinnati Bengals Getting Tee Higgins Back?!? BIG Football Weekend Preview! | OTB 9.20.24

Watch Off the Bench Presented by UDF with Chatterbox Sports Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. LIVE on the Chatterbox Sports YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE to the channel to ensure you never miss a thing.
 
Discussing Article Written by Ben Baby ESPN Writer - https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/41332441/joe-burrow-says-bengals-fine-spot-0-2-start
 
There are two ways to view the Cincinnati Bengals' first two weeks of the season. On one side, players and coaches have expressed the disappointment that comes with starting 0-2 for the third straight season and the fifth time in the past six years. On the other -- as quarterback Joe Burrow pointed out Thursday -- is that the familiarity that comes with the slow start means Cincinnati knows what it will take to snap the skid and beat the Washington Commanders on Monday night. "We're in a fine spot," Burrow said in his weekly news conference. "We've been here before. We're not panicking. We're focused on getting a win and getting better every day." Burrow said he's not sharing the same feeling of frustration that he had following Sunday's loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Bengals led in the fourth quarter and were a defensive stop away from beating their AFC rivals. However, a defensive pass interference penalty on fourth-and-16 set up the winning field goal in Kansas City's 26-25 victory. In four of Burrow's five NFL seasons, Cincinnati has lost its first two games of the season. The exception was in 2021, when the Bengals beat the Minnesota Vikings in overtime of Week 1. Since then, the star quarterback has battled various injuries at the start of the year -- a ruptured appendix (2022), a calf injury (2023) and recovery from wrist surgery (2024). "We've treated every practice like it's the same," he said. "We pride ourselves on us not being able to tell if we win or lose. At practice, we're going to go out and have fun and get our work in and get better." Bengals coach Zac Taylor said despite the rough start to the year, which included a Week 1 loss to the New England Patriots although Cincinnati was favored by more than a touchdown, it doesn't feel as if the team is pressing unnecessarily as it prepares to face Washington (1-1) or is carrying any undue tension. Taylor said he has never felt that from the players, which is why the team has handled these situations well before. "I feel this is a very comfortable team that understands how to work," Taylor said. "How to have that preparedness about them that can lead to confidence and can lead to being at ease." Cincinnati did get a boost Thursday, as wide receiver Tee Higgins practiced for the first time since he suffered a hamstring injury Sept. 5. Higgins, who sat out the first two games, was a limited participant. Taylor said the team will see how Higgins continues to progress throughout the week. If he can play, Burrow and the rest of the team are well aware of the impact the fifth-year receiver can make on Cincinnati's offense.

Cincinnati Bengals NEED someone to STEP UP! Trap Game incoming? Reds Season is OVER | OTB 9.18.24

The Bengals are signing a veteran defensive tackle to help with shredded depth at that position. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Lawrence Guy is inking a deal with Cincinnati. The 34-year-old had 38 tackles for New England last season in 17 games played. It amounted to a 45.5 PFF grade across 502 snaps. He has been durable, playing 500-plus snaps each of the past seven seasons. Cincinnati is hoping to get any of Kris Jenkins (thumb), B.J. Hill (hamstring), or Sheldon Rankins (hamstring) back soon. Bookmark Bengals Talk for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more! For more on the Bengals, subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Cincinnati Bengals Bolster the Defensive Line adding Lawrence Guy! | OTB 9.18.24

The Bengals are signing a veteran defensive tackle to help with shredded depth at that position. NFL Network's Tom Pelissero reported Lawrence Guy is inking a deal with Cincinnati. The 34-year-old had 38 tackles for New England last season in 17 games played. It amounted to a 45.5 PFF grade across 502 snaps. He has been durable, playing 500-plus snaps each of the past seven seasons. Cincinnati is hoping to get any of Kris Jenkins (thumb), B.J. Hill (hamstring), or Sheldon Rankins (hamstring) back soon. Bookmark Bengals Talk for the latest news, exclusive interviews, film breakdowns and so much more! For more on the Bengals, subscribe to our YouTube Channel.

Paycor Stadium Getting MASSIVE Renovations! Atlanta Falcons Impress Monday Night. | OTB 9.17.24

Watch Off the Bench Presented by UDF with Chatterbox Sports Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. LIVE on the Chatterbox Sports YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE to the channel to ensure you never miss a thing. Four major projects headline this work: a new field which is expected to be finished this summer, new club seats set to be installed by early June, expansion to the plaza entrance at Gate D tying the building to downtown is envisioned for late July's Cincinnati Music Fest, and an enhanced TV system earmarked for the preseason. Tradition is also getting a ticket in the new club seats. In a nod to the stadium being the first footprint on The Banks, the Bengals are using forest green for the color. It's the closest shade to the original color of the seats, when the plans for the parks and green space were merely on paper. Now that reality sprouts around the building, the Bengals decided the color scheme fits not only "The Jungle" theme, but also the kaleidoscopic view of the cityscape rolling on the Ohio River. Plus, Pope says orange seats would have faded into pink in about two years and black seats would have been too hot to the touch for much of the season. About 95% of the club seats have been installed on the east side with all that really needs to be done is attaching the new end-plate logos. Power washing is being completed on the west side while work continues on the concrete and drain repairs. "We're taking advantage of the seats being out of there," Pope says. Meanwhile, the tripling of the size of the plaza entrance at Gate D has begun. Pope figures fans see evidence of the work with the rise of a thickened concrete deck as the entrance widens from 60 feet and 200 feet. Two steel staircases are being added, one at the corner of Second and Elm streets and one along Elm Street near the Andrew J Brady Music Center, to help fans traverse from the tailgates to The Jungle and the rest of the Banks this fall. Once in the stadium, fans are going to be treated to twice as many TVs in a massive technology upgrade switching to a faster internet fiber optic system. The project scatters about 1,600 TVs around the building on gameday with many of the sets going in on the general admission concourses and the canopy level. Plus, they can now be controlled in one spot and personnel doesn't have to rely on remotes being used on-site. "That's fantastic because it allows for a better use of resources on gamedays," Pope says. "The added TVs really keep the fans connected as they move around the stadium." As the season looms closer, everyone will be working quickly to complete these projects ahead of the late-summer concerts. Another offseason filled with stadium improvements shows that both the Bengals and Hamilton County are committed to investing in the future of the stadium and delivering a best-in-class fan experience.

Cincinnati Bengals Start 0-2 AGAIN Following Frustrating Loss At Kansas City Chiefs | OTB 9.16.24

We discuss this Sports Illustrated article written by James Rapien about Ja'Marr Chases Contract Negotiation - https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/news/sources-bengals-extension-talks-jamarr-chase-broke-down-over-one-key-detail-01j7efw7kkqx The Bengals had intense contract talks with star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, but the two sides didn't agree to a long-term deal before Sunday's regular season opener against the Patriots. Chase didn't participate in practice during training camp in hopes of landing a long-term extension with the team. The two sides were close to an agreement, league sources say. In fact, the Bengals offered Chase a four-year, $140 million contract with $90 million guaranteed. That guaranteed money included a $30 million signing bonus. Those raw numbers worked for Chase's camp, sources tell Bengals On SI. The lone snag in the agreement had to do with when guarantees would kick in. Chase was willing to sign a four-year extension that would've put him under contract through the 2029 season, sources say. His camp wanted the guaranteed money and injury protections to kick in earlier in the deal. That's when talks broke down. Essentially, the two sides couldn't agree on when Chase's guarantees would vest (become fully guaranteed). The Bengals' offer pushed it down the line (2027), which would protect the franchise over the next few seasons. Meanwhile, Chase didn't have the assurance of guarantees early in the contract, which puts him at risk if he were to suffer a serious injury. The Bengals and Chase were in the red zone. Heck, they might've been inside the 10-yard line, but a deal didn't get done before the season opener. They still can negotiate. And that's what's interesting about this process. There is no real deadline. Chase decided to play on Sunday, despite not getting a new contract. He could've sat out—especially with both sides close to a deal. Traditionally, the Bengals don't negotiate in season. Would they make an exception for Chase? If it's as simple as moving some of his guaranteed money up by a year or two—why not get it done? Only time will tell if they can come to an agreement. In reality, Chase and the Bengals weren't far apart in their contract talks even though they never agreed to a long-term extension.

Cincinnati Bengals Try to Avoid BACK TO BACK 0-2 Starts | Off the Bench 09-13-24

Headlines: 
The Reds lose the series finale in St Louis. 6-1 the final score as the Reds only mustered up 4 hits.
Sonny gray had a perfect game through 5 innings before jake fraley finally broke it up in the top of the 6th
Junis was solid yet again, throwing 5 innings of 3 hit, 1 run baseball.  He struck out 3.  His era drops to 2.73
Spiers looked atrocious as he gives up 4 earned runs on 7 hits and 3 walks. 
Jonathan India drove in the lone run for the reds.  
They are back at it tonight in Minnesota where it will be Julian Aguiar vs Bailey Ober.  Ober is 12-6 on the year with a 3.77 era while Aguiar has a 5.06 era in his limited time on the team.  
Around the league
The brewers shutout the giants 3-0.  Frankie Montas pitched 6 scoreless innings 
The Rangers win 5-4 over Seattle as Kumar Rocker struck out 7 in his debut
The rays beat the guardians 5-2
The Yankees barely hang on to beat the red sox as Aaron Judge has failed to hit a home run in now 16 consecutive games 
Rockies beat the Tigers and the Astros took care of business against the athletics. 
TNF
The bills obliterated the Dolphins 31-10. Tua was 17-25 with a touchdown and 3 interceptions.  But the story of the game is a concussion that occurred in the second half.  Tua was pulled from the game after a collision with Damar Hamlin.  Its his 3rd official head injury suffered in the NFL. 
James Cook rushed 11 times for 78 yards and 2 touchdowns including a 49 yard touchdown.  He also caught his lone target on a 17 yard touchdown.

Cincinnati Bengals Week Two A MUST WIN?!! | Off the Bench 09-12-24

Headlines: 
The reds fall to the cardinals 2-1 last night.  2 runs is the most reds pitching has given up in their last 4 games.  
Brandon williamson looked great tossing 5 innings of 3 hit baseball.  He struck out 5 as well
Fernando cruz strikes out 4 in his 5 outs.  
Buck Farmer gives up the losing run in the 8th inning.  
Jonathan india, spencer steer, santiago espinal, jake fraley and Noelvi Marte were the only reds to reach base.  
India is hitting 193 with a 299 obp and a 351 slug over his last month of baseball 
The reds and the cardinals are back at it TODAY at 115 for the rubber match where Jakob Junis takes on former red Sonny Gray.  Junis is 4-0 with a 2.82 era with a 0.92 whip.  Sonny is 12-9 with a 3.84 era with a 1.09 whip
Around the league
The Dodgers hang on to beat the cubs last night by a score of 10-8.  Shohei Ohtani steals another base and hits another home run. He has 48 stolen bases and 47 home runs
The giants rout the Brewers 13-2 as collin rea gives up 10 earned runs on 11 hits
Bryan Woo carried a perfect game into the 7th inning but unfortunately lost it.  Fortunately the mariners still beat the padres 5-2
The Athletics take the series from houston as Brent Rooker and Kyle McCann carried the way 
The Red Sox walked off the orioles last night in extra innings on a tyler oneil 3 run shot 
Angels lose to the twins 6-4
Royals fall to the yankees 4-3 in 11 innings 
Nationals beat the braves 5-1
Detroit scored 6 runs in the first inning and all of a sudden the tigers have life.  3 games out of a wild card spot
The pac 12 is back! Boise State, Colorado State, San Diego State, and Fresno state will join the pac 12 in the 2026-2027 academic year.  Oregon st and washington state will remain.  

Did Joe Mixon Take A Shot at the Cincinnati Bengals? Jay Morrison Joins Us | Off the Bench 09-11-24

Watch Off the Bench Presented by UDF with Chatterbox Sports Monday-Friday 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. LIVE on the Chatterbox Sports YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE to the channel to ensure you never miss a thing. We discuss this Sports Illustrated article written by James Rapien about Ja'Marr Chases Contract Negotiation - https://www.si.com/nfl/bengals/news/sources-bengals-extension-talks-jamarr-chase-broke-down-over-one-key-detail-01j7efw7kkqx The Bengals had intense contract talks with star wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase, but the two sides didn't agree to a long-term deal before Sunday's regular season opener against the Patriots. Chase didn't participate in practice during training camp in hopes of landing a long-term extension with the team. The two sides were close to an agreement, league sources say. In fact, the Bengals offered Chase a four-year, $140 million contract with $90 million guaranteed. That guaranteed money included a $30 million signing bonus. Those raw numbers worked for Chase's camp, sources tell Bengals On SI. The lone snag in the agreement had to do with when guarantees would kick in. Chase was willing to sign a four-year extension that would've put him under contract through the 2029 season, sources say. His camp wanted the guaranteed money and injury protections to kick in earlier in the deal. That's when talks broke down. Essentially, the two sides couldn't agree on when Chase's guarantees would vest (become fully guaranteed). The Bengals' offer pushed it down the line (2027), which would protect the franchise over the next few seasons. Meanwhile, Chase didn't have the assurance of guarantees early in the contract, which puts him at risk if he were to suffer a serious injury. The Bengals and Chase were in the red zone. Heck, they might've been inside the 10-yard line, but a deal didn't get done before the season opener. They still can negotiate. And that's what's interesting about this process. There is no real deadline. Chase decided to play on Sunday, despite not getting a new contract. He could've sat out—especially with both sides close to a deal. Traditionally, the Bengals don't negotiate in season. Would they make an exception for Chase? If it's as simple as moving some of his guaranteed money up by a year or two—why not get it done? Only time will tell if they can come to an agreement. In reality, Chase and the Bengals weren't far apart in their contract talks even though they never agreed to a long-term extension.