Dialed In with Thom Brennaman

The bengals game last  thursday night is pretty much old news by a monday, but our last show was that morning, so we havent talked about it here on dialed in…….we will today.

It was an amazing game to watch. The highs and lows….the back and forth.

An offense which for alot of the night was breathtaking and for other parts, quite puzzling.

The defense which was so solid in the first half suffred a collapse of epic proportion in the second half.

Bottom line is baltimore sweeps the season series……lamar goes to 10-2 against the bengals and the record sits at 4-6.

Having sais that, the bengals are in a tie for the final wild card spot with indy…..INDY? PLAYOFFS?

Then there’s college football…….

Unbeaten Miami goes down.

Georgia looked awful in a loss to surging ole miss.

Ohio State rolled.

Indiana got it’s first major scare and was led by great defense in a win over michigan.

The first CFB playoff ramkings were released last week.

We will tell you who we believe should be in TODAY!

The Bengals are back at it this sunday as they welcome the las vegas raiders to town for a one pm kickoff at paycor stadium.

Cincinnati is more than a touchdown favorite in the game.

The raiders might be the most injured team in the nfl this season.

They’ve lost a quarterback, five starers on defense and multiple injuried along the offensive line.

The Bengals have their own issues on offense….we still don’t know about orlando brown or tee higgins availability for Sunday.

Brown played in spurts last week while higgins was not on the field at all.

Say this for the raiders…they do have the 11th-ranked defense in the league so far in yards allowed, yet rank near the bottom in scoring defense.

Alot of that has to do with the offense turning it over .

Gardner minshew is the vegas quarterback after initially losing his job to aiden o”connell to injury.

Boys, the bottom line is….this is the season.

We’ve said that alot already but you lose this game and it’s over.

Win, and your back to one game under with the ravens up next.

Bengals talk

PICKS- Last week and this week.

Talk UC- Ohio State world series with Casey Short show today

I don’t know about you, but this one FELT different.

Yes, the bengals have lost games where they should’ve won. Lost to teams they should’ve beaten, but in each of those I felt like a rebound would occur.

I’m not so sure anymore…this one felt different.

They play 60 minutes in a football game and for the first 40, it was a tie game…. A win to get to .500 right there for the taking .

But over the last 20 minutes the eagles scored 20 points….and did it in overwhelming fashion.

They bullied the cincinnati Bengals. 

In the air…on the ground…in toughness.

And i don’t know about you but now there are legitimate questions about this team and this franchise moving forward.

Joe Burrow said its possible to win 7 of the last 9 games….

Do you honestly believe that?

Does HE honestly believe that?

TALK BENGALS

As for the rest of the division, how about jameis winston?

He throws for 334 yards and three touchdowns in his first start of the year and the brownies shock baltimore 29-24.

Meanwhile the steelers play tonight against the new york giants with a chance to take the division lead with a win!

College football, UC falls to colorado 34-23.

TWO-WAY star travis hunter hauls in 9 passes for 153 yards and two touchdowns.

Landslide winner for Heisman.

A big one this weekend in happy valley ans number 4 Ohio State takes on number 3 penn state.

The buckeyes offense was brutaal in a win over nebraska.

Penn state rallied behind a backup quarterback to beat wisconsin.

No word on starter drew allar and his availability this saturday for the nittney lions.

Is Indiana the second-best team in the big ten? Are they the best team in the big ten?

They played without starter Kurtis Roue and still drilled Washington to go to 8-0.

Baseball, the dodgers wih the first two games of the world series.

Game three tonight in the bronx.

And Third-seeded FC Cincinnati opens post-season play tonight at tql stadium.

New york FC is the opponent.

The two teams split their season series one game apiece.

Bengals and eagles convene at paycor this sunday at 1 o’clock.

Joe Burrow said every game is of the upmost importance and he’s right ….

When you start at 0-3, you’re constantly clawing to get back to .500.

It’s true in every sport….you cant even think about the playoffs if you’re not .500.

They’ve won 3 of their last 4 and a win gets you back to .500.

How good are the eagles? Eagle fans are asking the same thing.

Many say the eagles are the bengals of the nfc….

Big expectations….gross inconsistency.

Lets get right to it fellas…

Thoughts on this sundays game..

BENGALS TALK

Lets get to our picks before Luke has to go to class….

Luke…take it away…..

PICKS

BYE LUKE

College football, a big one for UC. They Cats travel to colorado to take on deoin sanders buffalos who are having an excellent season.

This is a national game and America gets a look at where the bearcats are…….they’ve made increinle strides this season but now they face a good team, on the road.

Game at 10:15 on espn saturday night.

Number 4 Ohio State is home to nebraska at noon.

A game to keep an eye on isw number 20 illinois at number 1 oregon.

Number 8 LSU is at number 14 texas am.

Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns: Predictions, picks and odds for NFL Week 7 game Jon Hoefling USA TODAY At 2-4, the Cincinnati Bengals have been one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL, but they haven't been nearly as disappointing as Deshaun Watson has been for the Cleveland Browns. Despite boasting a remarkable defense and a group of solid players on offense (even after sending Amari Cooper to the Buffalo Bills), the Browns have a 1-5 record and virtually no hope of crawling out of the AFC North's basement. While a win over Cincinnati this weekend would move Cleveland to third in the division, that's a very hollow victory for a team that reached the playoffs with Joe Flacco at quarterback a season ago. For Cleveland, this is a battle for pride, something to help keep their heads held high. Sadly, the best-case scenario might be a humiliating defeat that forces Kevin Stefanski to replace Watson with Jameis Winston at quarterback. Here are our experts' predictions for this Week 7 showdown. Browns vs. Bengals odds, moneyline, over/under The Bengals are favorites to defeat the Browns, according to the BetMGM NFL odds. Looking to wager? Check out the best mobile sports betting apps offering NFL betting promos in 2024 including the ESPN BET app and Fanatics Sportsbook promo code. NFL STATS CENTRAL: The latest NFL scores, schedules, odds, stats and more. Spread: Bengals (-6.5) Moneyline: Bengals (-300); Browns (+240) Over/under: 42.5 Not interested in this game? Our guide to NFL betting odds, picks and spreads has you covered with Thursday Night Football odds and Monday Night Football odds. New to sports betting? USA TODAY readers can claim exclusive promos and bonus codes with the best online sportsbooks and sports betting sites. FEELING LUCKY? Here are the best parlay bets and odds for NFL games this week Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) makes a touchdown over the Baltimore Ravens in the 3rd quarter Sunday October 6, 2024 at Payor Stadium. The Bengals lost 41-38 in overtime. NFL Week 7 odds, predictions and picks Saints vs. Broncos | Jaguars vs. Patriots | Falcons vs. Seahawks | Bills vs. Titans | Browns vs. Bengals | Packers vs. Texans | Colts vs. Dolphins | Vikings vs. Lions | Giants vs. Eagles | Rams vs. Raiders | Commanders vs. Panthers | 49ers vs. Chiefs | Steelers vs. Jets | Buccaneers vs. Ravens | Cardinals vs. Chargers

Look, it wasn’t pretty…in any form or fashion.

The offense could never get it going against a very good giants defense.

The offensive line looked like it turned back the clock to 2022, allowing joe burrow to be sacked five times.

In fact, on one hot, Burrow had to go to the medival tent to be evaluated for a concussion….thankfully he was okay and returned to finish the game.

But at the end of the day, the bengals get a season-saving 17-7 win.

The defense, much maligned allseason, finally had it’s full cimpliment of healthy players along the dsefensive front, and they played like it…..

The defense, like during the run of afc championship games, won this game for the bengals.

Yes, you can say big deal, the giants offense stinks and they had two of their best players out….and you’d be right about that.

BUT , the defense got it done when the big moments called for it to show up.

The Bengals are now 2-4 with a trip to cleveland coming up next.

Do you feel any better about the team?

Around the nfc north, 

The Browns are simply awful…i mean awful.

Cleveland gets 240 yards of offense in a 20-16 loss at philly.

The ravens knock off the commanders…that team is going to runaway and hide in this division.

I know, i know, the steelers are 4-2 and Justin Fields just keeps on rollin.

He only threw for 150 yards but he ran it for 60 and two touchdowns…didn’t turn it over as the men of aluminum beat the raiders 32-13.

How do you think Jerry Jones is feeling this morning? 

His cowboys get annihilated by detroit 47-9.

Bad news for the lions though, as they lose star defensive end aiden hutchinson for the season with a broken leg.

College football…..UC gets another win, 19-13 at ucf…… they are 4-2 and get arizona state this week at nippert for homecoming.

ASU beat number 16 Utah friday night som that’s no layup.

Ohio State lost at oregon and shouldve won by ten or more.

They turn it over twice, leading to ten oregon points off those turnovers.

The defense was brutal.

The Buckeyes onlly drop to number 5 in the polls but their margin of error gets slimmer with the loss.

They still have to play at unbeaten penn state, against unbeaten indiana, and close the year against michigan.

In baseball, the dodgers clobber the mets i game one of the nlcs 9-0.

Game two this afternoon at 4.

The american league championship series begins tonight in the bronx as the yankees host the guardians.

That one starts at 7:38!

Following this story from ESPN Staff Writer Ben Baby

CINCINNATI -- Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow sat at his locker for several minutes, arms folded, one leg crossed over the other, assessing the aftermath of Sunday's 41-38 overtime loss to the Baltimore Ravens.

For most of the day, the Bengals led and seemed poised to open play in the AFC North with a victory -- their second straight. But on multiple occasions, Cincinnati saw that lead slip away before the Ravens eventually sealed the deal with Justin Tucker's 24-yard field goal.

As Burrow reflected on the outcome, one thing was evident: After the fourth loss in five games to start the season, Burrow said it was frustrating that a team that started the year with title aspirations is nowhere close.

"We're not a championship-level team right now," Burrow said. "We're not. I like to think that we'll come back and improve throughout the season to get to that point, but right now we are not and we have to get better."

It seemed like there was little more the offense could do after another productive outing. Cincinnati scored 30 points for the third straight game. Burrow threw for a career-high five touchdowns on 30-of-39 passing for five touchdowns, though he did also throw a costly interception in the fourth quarter. Wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase had 10 catches for 193 yards and two touchdowns.

But it was not enough. The defense allowed more than 38 points for the second straight game. After Cincinnati led 38-28 with 8:54 left in regulation, the Ravens scored 13 unanswered points.

For Chase, that amplified the disappointment felt after Sunday's loss.

"I think that's what's causing us to be mad, for the most part," Chase said at his locker after the game. "Just putting up 30 points and losing right there.

"That's what we want to do as an offense -- put up 30 points and take over the game. Put the ball in our hands last drive and take over. That's what we want, and we didn't do it."

Chase and fellow wide receiver Tee Higgins lamented the lack of aggressiveness during a wacky overtime period. Baltimore won the toss to start the extra period and was driving down the field for a potential game-winning touchdown. However, Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson fumbled a snap while in the shotgun, and Cincinnati linebacker Germaine Pratt recovered the ball and took it to Baltimore's 38-yard line.

Cincinnati ran the ball on three straight plays to set up a field goal attempt for kicker Evan McPherson. Since he was drafted in 2021, McPherson has hit nine game-tying or go-ahead field goals in the last two minutes of regulation or in overtime, according to ESPN Research. But a poor hold by rookie punter Ryan Rehkow played a role in the 53-yarder that missed wide left.

When asked about the conservative approach on that drive, Bengals coach Zac Taylor said he didn't want to risk a sack or holding penalty in that situation. He said that there was a pass called on that series of plays but that Burrow did a good job of checking into a run play that was more favorable given the defensive look.

"When you're in field goal range and you believe in your kicker, it really is as simple as that," Taylor said.

But instead of back-to-back victories, the Bengals are now trying to overcome the odds to reach the postseason. According to ESPN Research, only 5.6% of teams that have started the year with a 1-4 record in the Super Bowl era (since 1966) have reached the postseason. The 2020 Washington Commanders were the most recent team to accomplish the feat.

Burrow said there were no illusions about where the Bengals find themselves after their fourth loss of the year by just a combined 15 points.

"I know exactly how we are 1-4," Burrow said. "We're not making plays at the end of the game to go and win it. Definitely not in disbelief. I know exactly what's happening."

Despite what Burrow said postgame about the team not being a championship-level squad, Taylor said he still believes in that. Cincinnati went to the Super Bowl in the 2021 season, losing to the Los Angeles Rams, and reached the AFC Championship Game the following year before losing in a rematch to the Kansas City Chiefs.

Taylor said there is still a lot of belief that the team can rebound despite what happened on Sunday against Baltimore.

"People can write us off if they really want to," Taylor said. "I'm not dumb enough to do that."

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

New Bengals' Run-Stopper Lawrence Guy Signs Up For Division Of Labor: 'I Love The AFC North' After watching their starting defensive tackles limp off the field in Kansas City last Sunday and their two prized rookie defensive tackles looking for their first NFL snaps while nursing injuries, the Bengals went out and got a guy.\ Bengals Joe Burrow Puts Reason Behind 0-2 Starts As Cincinnati Turns Page To Week 3 "I think there's a different factors every year," Burrow said on Wednesday's show. "0-2 for the third straight year, we're not panicking by any means. There's a lot of football to be played, but lots of room to improve at the same time, just like any game, every year. So we're just looking to improve every day. Go out on Monday, and have our best game yet, hopefully get a win, and then move on." Joe Burrow Explains Short Postgame Hug Patrick Mahomes After Bengals' Loss to Chiefs "Well, we had talked to each other before the game," Burrow said. "After a game like that, not much to say. I got a lot of respect for him, I think he has a lot of respect for me. Sometimes you talk to guys, sometimes you don't. We had seen each other before the game so no big deal." Ranking NFL's 0-2 teams: Bengals, Ravens still dangerous, Broncos, Panthers in dire straits Few contenders start slow like the Bengals, so this is, in some ways, par for the course in Cincinnati. Don't get us wrong: The lingering Ja'Marr Chase drama and Tee Higgins availability questions are red flags. Discipline has been an issue. But if Joe Burrow is on the field, slinging it as he does, then this team is one of the toughest outs in the NFL, as evidenced by them taking the Kansas City Chiefs to the wire. Bengals Roster Breakdown: Andrei Iosivas has much higher expectations to exceed in second year Today, we give the spotlight to wide receiver Andrei Iosivas, or "Yoshi" to some. His rookie campaign last year was a welcomed surprise, and because of that, the bar has been raised entering 2024. It's why he's one of Cincinnati's prime breakout candidates for this highly-anticipated season.