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 precisely what all of us stay for. Amid the concern it feels unimaginable; that’s what is so invigorating.
However with one other spherical of motion having handed, our opinions and assessments on all the things occurring proceed to alter. Every week we, Michael Peterson and RJ Ochoa, concentrate on sorting by means of the magic that the NFL simply supplied and we’re about to do it once more.
Welcome to The Skinny Publish. Let’s have some enjoyable.
We could 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 introduced itself a couple of month in the past. I even stated on this weekly column that their repute 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 not less than partly true, however the Bengals are undoubtedly digging in and making a combat of this complete factor which is why we’ve got (aside from possibly myself) discovered to not disregard them within the Joe Burrow period. After Sunday’s newest win, the place Burrow himself was stellar towards 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 towards the Baltimore Ravens. As if that by itself didn’t excite you, think about {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 should 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?
Getting into Week 10, Cincinnati has gained 4 video games. These wins got here towards the Panthers (2-7), Raiders (2-7), Giants (2-7), and Browns (2-7).
Hmm. I feel there’s one thing in widespread 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 report 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 towards 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 probability that every one three video games are misplaced after which they’re observing a 4-8 gap that will be nearly unattainable to climb out of for a postseason spot.
So are the Bengals truly again? I’m going to should say no till they present me extra over the subsequent few weeks.
The brand new viral landing celebration impressed by an Incarnate Phrase large 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 should you noticed the unique, however a large receiver who performs for Incarnate Phrase scored a landing on Saturday after which instantly did a headstand along with his complete physique stiff and sticking straight up into the air earlier than gravity tilted him again to the bottom. It was nothing flashy or spectacular, however it was very foolish and gave the soccer world a great giggle.
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 few of the greatest within the league to do the identical celebration.
The NFL has relaxed on celebrations in recent times which has allowed gamers to precise themselves extra freely within the greatest 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 obsessed with this as Michael, however I’ve zero subject with the celebration sticking round and changing into a little bit of a factor. Enjoyable is sweet for everybody concerned. I see actually no dangerous outcomes from letting this be a factor.
After all, because of this the NFL will discover some technique to wreck our enjoyable and take it away and justify doing so within the dumbest means potential.
Which crew is trying 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 could possibly 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 might be the candidate on the block… which spot would you like? You may make an argument for the Bears I suppose, with Caleb Williams and the younger nucleus that Chicago is creating. That type of crew flourishing beneath a brand new workers is a sample we’ve got actually seen earlier than.
The Bengals should 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 should 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 ideal duo for years to return if the offense can gel even additional over the upcoming offseason.
Whereas the Bears are attractive for apparent causes, the Bengals shouldn’t be ignored as a crew with a professional franchise quarterback and a top-5 receiver within the NFL. That aspect of the ball will all the time have the next flooring than most groups, merely resulting from what that pairing can do. I like this job probably for a coach who appreciates and desires to spend money on the trenches on either side of the ball, as a result of they certain do have Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard on that aspect to go along with current Day 2 choose Kris Jenkins and veteran BJ Hill alongside the inside.
Two necessary elements 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 trying extra aggressive than anticipated resulting from an ideal 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 % deserves to be on a greater crew than the G-Males. The man is an athletic marvel at his dimension and has 9 sacks by means of 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 yr and it’s merely a travesty that his efforts are being wasted on a crew that gained’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 biggest 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 onerous in a number of locations, however the Cowboys discover a technique to lure individuals in another way.
Let Zack Martin fly free. Please.
