A little perspective

[*SHRacerX*]

(10-31-2021, 06:03 PM)Bengalholic Wrote: 3 straight road games.

Won first 2 by 20+ points, including putting a beatdown on the Ravens in their own house.
Lost the 3rd by 3 points, coming off a huge emotional win and facing a team that had gotten humiliated the week before.

This is the NFL...it happens. Good teams can have letdowns after huge wins. The Jets also beat the Titans, who are now 6-2.

Last week was an outstanding win. This week was an embarrassing loss. Overall, they are still in good shape at 5-3...which I think is better than most of probably thought before the season started. 

Beating the Browns next week is a must now though, so that they can go into the bye 6-3 and stay in contention for the division title. Still a lot of football left, and the fact is, they are 5-3 and haven't even played their best football yet.  Still a lot of room to get better and areas to improve on. IMO, that's a good sign and a reason to remain very optimistic going forward. 

IDK, maybe I'm just getting soft in my old age and not being as cynical as I used to be.

I want to think this way, but I see a Browns team that has Chubb back and is going to be desperate.  I saw a Cincinnati defense that couldn't have stopped a college team yesterday.  It wasn't like they weren't healthy.  It wasn't like they were facing a tough opponent.  (Tips hat to the Jets for coming out swinging)  I see the Browns pounding the Bengals with their running game and play-action.  

I will believe in the defense again when I see it.