Bleav in Cincy

Jason and Alex are back to discuss the fact Joe Burrow is practicing in full and all signs point to him making a return in 2025. They discuss whether or not he should. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode: Joe Burrow was a full participant at practice this week. Is he going to play sooner than expected? What are the expectations for Burrow and the Bengals upon his return at 3-7? What's the impetus behind Burrow's rushed return? The Bengals are in the headlines in the worst way after their loss to the Steelers. What challenges do the Patriots provide this Sunday? And more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Bengals are like a super-manipulative party who convinces you they are going to change just as you are about to give up on the relationship. They lost the must win game a week ago, and yet a glimmer of hop appears in Cartier glasses. Joe Burrow was a full participant at practice this week, which as we all know in light of the Lamar Jackson saga means he is not just practice but taking starter reps. With Joe, anything is possible. It is not likely, but all of the sudden running the table doesn't seem crazy. Infeasible, sure, but not crazy. Of course, the Bengals will be without Ja'Marr Chase, who gave Jalen Ramsey a Romanowski hello last weekend. Still, where there is Joe Burrow, there is hope. But does it even matter? This defense isn't getting any better. Al Golden told us after Week 1 that he didn't want to play Trey Hendrickson that much because it wasn't good for him, but that they had to in order to win. He nailed that take and he hasn't made a good call since (bada tish!). Seriously, Hendrickson was overworked and now he's hurt. The defense without him is... I don't even have a word. Whatever the opposite of "scrumtrulescent*" is. The rookies who needed to step up defensively, have stepped left and right and do-si-doed, but definitely not stepped up. In fact, as the weeks go on and on, this unit is looking more and more like a complete overhaul. Yeah, the defense is bad, so let's all just sit in the corner rocking back and former muttering to ourselves "Joe is coming, Joe is coming," like Bart Simpson at Kamp Krusty, *"Scrumtrulescent" is a made-up word from an old Will Ferrell Saturday Night Live Sketch in which he played James Lipton from Inside the Actors Studio Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jason and Alex are refreshed after the bye week, but they're not overly confident the Cincinnati Bengals used that week off to make any improvements that will matter. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode: Joe Burrow returned to practice as of Monday, and the team has some big decisions ahead. What are the pros and cons with each quarterback, given where the schedule lands and how things have looked under Joe Flacco thus far. Between accrued injuries, affected mechanics and previous slow starts t Bengals seasons, what should we expect from a Burrow-led offense post-Thanksgiving? The AFC North appears wide open, but what are the expectations for the Bengals at 3-6? And more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this week's all new installment of Matt and Willie Know Ball, the ball-knowers hit on the two biggest topics of the bye week. Joe Burrow returns to practice and eyes Thanksgiving return to the field. What can the defense do to get good enough that number one even matters? So what is the Burrow effect? True, the Bengals defense may have given 88 points in the last two weeks, but if the Bengals had 17 seconds and Joesph Lee Burrow after Colson Loveland scored his go ahead touchdown for the Bears, wouldn't you have felt better about the situation? Granted, you still wouldn't have felt good, but better. Joe Flacco has had this offense going on all cylinders. Under Joe Burrow, they really weren't. They won those first two games on the back of good defense. Does the Burrow effect extend to the defense through some kind of Tom Cruise witchcraft? And What about Al Golden's unit? Could the defense be revamped after the bye? Could they have sat down and put together a plan to make this thing functional for the next few weeks? Can they be good enough to win? I've got news for you. This division is still wide open. The Bengals play the Steelers, the Browns, and the Ravens twice. They are still very much in control of their own destiny. The Steelers are in the lead, but crumbling. The Ravens are looking better, but they have a touch road ahead. Check this. They play the Steelers twice, the Bengals twice, and the Patriots in a span of 5 weeks. That is an insane stretch. 10 games could be the division. 9 wins could even do it, if they were the right wins. Sweep the division and you have got a shot. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode: The Bengals had one of the most improbable comebacks against the Bears, followed by an inexplicable collapse...again. Zac Taylor said that no coaching changes are going to transpire, even after the past two weeks and with the team heading into the bye. Logan Wilson was traded to the Cowboys, Trey Hendrickson stays with the Bengals, while Cincinnati doesn't make any other additions. And more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Darkness has fallen. The Bengals beat the Steelers two weeks ago and everything was looking hunky-dory. Then came the New York Jets. The Bengals had it and they lost it. There were defensive failings to be sure, but a lot of it was just losing the battle for those important inches. They should have won that game and they could have one that game with one defensive player stepping up and making a play. And yet, here we are. With Trey Hendrickson sideline, the defense generated no pass rush and in turn the secondary struggled. The run defense saw guys out of position and massive holes opened up just like they did in August. We were told this defense was less complicated, but is it? Jordan Battle doesn't seem to think so. Seriously, what is up with this defense? Is it a coaching issue or a scouting issue? It does make you feel differently about Lou Anarumo and even Teryl Austin. They didn't have the dudes and neither does Al Golden. Anarumo had them once, when Duke Tobin went on a hot streak drafting Germaine Pratt and Logan Wilson and signing Trey Hendrickson, D.J. Reader, and Chidobe Awuzie. Players seem to be cutting bait and attempting to move on from this defense. That isn't really a surprise, particularly when you are talking about a benched veteran in Logan Wilson, who surely thinks that he can be a starter and young McKinnley Jackson who is eager for a shot but keeps seeing newcomers come in and surpass him on the depth chart. Matt and Willie discuss all of this and more, including an odd concusses about Joe Pesci.   Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jason and Alex are back to discuss the Bengals' embarrassing defensive collapse and loss to the Jets in Week 8, their upcoming game against the Bears, and Alex shares some memories of his time at OSU with the recently passed Nick Mangold. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode: Cincinnati suffered its worst loss in the Zac Taylor era, and one of the biggest collapses in recent memory. The Bengals' defense is somehow worse than last year, with failures occurring at each level of the unit. Is a rebound possible? Will the Bengals be buyers, sellers, or holders at the trade deadline? The sequence of events that reportedly (or even rumored) to have unfolded Saturday-Monday surrounding the Bengals was downright staggering. And more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode: Logan Wilson has formally requested a trade from the Bengals. When and will Wilson be dealt, and for what? The latest on the Cincinnati injury front. Even though the Bengals are just 3-4, can this game against the Jets be considered a "trap game"? If they want to get to .500, the Bengals can't afford to let little mistakes become problems on Sunday. Some thoughts on Lemar Parrish, Dave Lapham and other Ring of Honor Inductees. And more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Logan Wilson, longtime Bengal/first time captain, has requested a trade. What does this mean for the team going forward? Is it likely to happen? What could the possible return be? We have one name in mind. Matt and Willie discuss this as well as the underrated legacy of linebackers Wilson and Germaine Pratt. The there is Cam Taylor-Britt. What is going on with that guy? The former second round pick was benched a few weeks ago, then made inactive on Thursday Night Football due to a coach's decision. That's never good. Like Andre Benjamin, I'm just being honest. No one likes getting benched. We are all prideful people, particularly professional athletes, but by all accounts, Taylor-Britt has been a professional throughout his struggles. Could he have been inactive because they were discussing a trade sending him out of Cincinnati? There is one particularly name that would make a lot of sense for both the Bengals and this individual's current team if they wanted to swap their former highly touted players. Matt and Willie discuss this scenario and Taylor-Britt's future in Cincinnati and the league. The Bengals are coming off of a huge win last week. What does that mean for the season. Matt and Willie discuss the road to Joe Burrow's return and what the Bengals need to do to get there in one piece. The path is narrow and unforgiving, but it is clear. What about the Steelers though. They currently have the lead in the division, but they have a difficult run in front of them too. The haven't seen the top of the NFC North year. The Bengals may still be back a game and a half, but that gap could shrink very quickly with the opponents that Pittsburgh has in front of them. How about the Ravens? They are way back, but are they too far back? If they can get healthy, could they make a run at the division championship. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode: Joe Flacco looked every bit the part of "Elite" on Thursday night. The Bengals found a running game and the offensive line has improved the past two weeks! Ja'Marr Chase remains the best wide receiver in the NFL, despite three starting Bengals QBs in seven games this year. The Bengals defense MUST improve, should the Bengals make a playoff push this year. And more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jason and Alex are back to discuss the Bengals' Week 6 loss to the Packers, why they're more optimistic, despite the loss, than you'd think, and what the Bengals need to do to beat the Steelers on TNF. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jason is joined by a new co-host, Alex, a former Ohio State defensive end. After his introduction, the two discuss the Bengals' acquisition of Joe Flacco, the fact he was driven to Cincinnati, and what they think he could possibly bring to the 2025 Bengals. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Matt and Willie Know Ball, but even we did not see this one coming. The Bengals made a big splash adding a veteran quarterback who knows the AFC North as well as anyone. Why did the Bengals decide to add Flacco? What will the offense look like with Flacco under center? Should this rest our expectations for this season? Flacco was once a Super Bowl MVP, but has become a journeyman bridge quarterback who produces for teams just to be replace. Now he has crossed over into full-on mercenary mode, as he comes in to save the Bengals season. The Bengals have a herculean task ahead of them as the head to Green Bay, but hey, Flacco has already beat the Packers this season. After that the Bengals have some winnable games on the horizon. They have two matchups with the Steelers coming up, which could determine their fate. (Who would have guessed that the AFC Championship would go through Pittsburg of all places?) Then, what was once considered the most challenging part of the Bengals schedule comes as they play the Ravens twice in 18 days with the Buffalo Bills sandwiched in the middle. Oh, and by the way, the first of those matchups with Baltimore happens to be on the road on a short week. No biggy. Well, the Ravens aren't looking so tough all of the sudden, as their injury report grows like it just made a wish on a Zoltar machine. Could Flacco take care of business against the team he took to the Super Bowl all those years ago? Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode: Zac Taylor publicly backed Jake Browning this week, while the same confidence doesn't seem to be there for a former high pick at cornerback. Cincinnati remains relatively healthy, while the Lions are more banged up going into Week 5. Is this going to be a breakout game for Andrei Iosivas? Plainly put, Cincinnati needs to find a way to be explosive on offense this week. Believe it or not, the Bengals are 10.5-point underdogs at home, per FanDuel. And more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode: Cincinnati embarrassed themselves, this time on primetime TV, though the problems differed from last week. The offensive line is a mess. Should the Bengals consider a veteran quarterback addition? We can blame the roster, the coaches and others, but there remains an organizational problem. And more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Uff da. The Bengals went up to Minnesota, in a battle of backup quarterbacks, trying to get a win and build confidence for the Jake Browning run. Could things have gone better? You betcha. The Minnesota Meltdown, as Willie has coined it, could not have been much uglier. Carson Wentz, of North Dakota State fame, looked like villain from the Fargo franchise (most of which actually takes place in Minnesota), but it was the Vikings defense that put the Bengals in the woodchipper. The Bengals fumbled five times, losing three of them. Browning also threw two interceptions. All of these turnovers led to points for Norway's finest, two of them immediately. In all, the Bengals gave up 31 points as a result of turnovers. They were also in field goal range on two of those occasions, meaning that they gave up at least six more points that they could have scored. All and all that is a 37 point swing from turnovers in a game they lost by 38 points. These numbers are insane. That was the biggest problem, but not the only problem. The run game was, uh, did not exist. The defense gave up touchdowns on four of five Red Zone appearances, which is less than ideal. There were some good performances on that side of the ball, but when they needed to make a play the fumbled away their chance like... well like the Bengals offense. The way the Bengals lost this game is unsustainable. The run game is troubling, for sure, but there is no way they continue to turn the ball over at that rate. They had some good luck in the first two weeks with turnovers, but this far surpassed regression to the mean. In fact, it gave them a soybean field's worth of room to progress back to it. Matt and Willie are here to tell you that this team has some problems, but they are fixable and the Denver Broncos are not unbeatable. So let's all hope the Bengals cleansed themselves in the waters of Lake Minnetonka and got the stink of this loss off them before they boarded the plane back to Cincinnati. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this episode: -The Bengals were steamrolled in Minnesota for a historic loss. -Are things fixable? -Was this an outlier or a trend? -A conversation about Zac Taylor. And more! Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.