On Off The Bench and The Stone Shields Show today we discuss the Reds losing to the Cardinals, NFL Power Rankings, is Joe Burrow the next Andrew Luck, the best QB's in college football and more!

Off The Bench is back weekdays from 10a to 11a followed by The Stone Shields Show from 11a to noon!

In a frustrating shutdown affair at Busch Stadium, the Cincinnati Reds suffered a 3-0 defeat to the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night, September 16, 2025, dimming their fading playoff aspirations. The loss marked the Reds' fourth in five games, dropping them three games behind the New York Mets for the final National League Wild Card spot with just 12 contests left in the regular season. Cincinnati's offense, once a high-octane force, went ice-cold, managing only three hits against a stingy Cardinals staff.

Rookie right-hander Michael McGreevy dominated for St. Louis, delivering seven sharp innings with just three hits, three walks, and six strikeouts on 91 pitches. His poise silenced the Reds' bats, setting the stage for Thomas Saggese's pivotal two-run homer in the third inning that provided all the offense the home team needed. Relievers closed out the three-hitter, with Riley O’Brien notching his fifth save in a crisp 1-2-3 ninth.

On the mound, Reds starter Andrew Abbott struggled through 4 2/3 innings, surrendering three runs on eight hits while fanning seven. The defeat underscored Cincinnati's mounting inconsistencies—stranded runners and untimely errors plagued a lineup desperate for momentum after Monday's dramatic 11-6 comeback win. Manager David Bell lamented the missed opportunities, noting, "We couldn't string anything together tonight. Credit to their pitcher, but we've got to find our fight."

Shifting gears to the gridiron, the undefeated Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) face a pivotal road test against the Minnesota Vikings (1-1) on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM ET on CBS, with Minnesota favored by 3.5 points and a total of 42 points.

Cincinnati enters hot off a gritty 31-27 thriller over Jacksonville, where backup QB Jake Browning stepped up amid Joe Burrow's indefinite injury absence. Browning's poise—highlighted by clutch late-game heroics—fuels optimism, but the Bengals' secondary talent, like Ja'Marr Chase, will clash with Minnesota's star Justin Jefferson. Running back Chase Brown (47 yards last outing) must exploit a Vikings rush defense that allowed 139 yards against Jacksonville.

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/

Music from #InAudio: https://inaudio.org/

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