1 00:00:03,720 --> 00:00:06,519 Speaker 1: Hi, get everybody. I'm Dan Hord and thanks for downloading 2 00:00:06,559 --> 00:00:09,920 Speaker 1: The Bengals Booth Podcast. The I'll be cleaning up the 3 00:00:09,960 --> 00:00:15,040 Speaker 1: bottles with you on New Uesday. Addition, as the Bengals 4 00:00:15,040 --> 00:00:18,160 Speaker 1: head to Kansas City for a New Year's Eve rematch 5 00:00:18,560 --> 00:00:21,720 Speaker 1: of the last two AFC Championship games as they face 6 00:00:22,079 --> 00:00:25,760 Speaker 1: the Kansas City Chiefs. Coming up, I'll talk to Orlando 7 00:00:25,800 --> 00:00:29,400 Speaker 1: Brown Junior about facing his former team. We'll hear from 8 00:00:29,440 --> 00:00:33,640 Speaker 1: the NFL Networks Andrew Siciliano about the bengals final two 9 00:00:33,800 --> 00:00:37,840 Speaker 1: regular season games, and in this week's No The Foux Conversation, 10 00:00:38,320 --> 00:00:42,320 Speaker 1: we'll look at the Chiefs with their radio analyst Danan Hughes. 11 00:00:42,680 --> 00:00:45,440 Speaker 1: The Bengals Booth Podcast is brought to you by pay Corps, 12 00:00:45,479 --> 00:00:49,400 Speaker 1: proud to be the Bengals official HR software provider, by 13 00:00:49,520 --> 00:00:54,360 Speaker 1: Alta Fiber future proof fiber Internet designed to elevate your home, business, 14 00:00:54,360 --> 00:00:57,640 Speaker 1: and community to a new level, and by Kettering Health 15 00:00:57,960 --> 00:01:01,440 Speaker 1: the best care for the best fan. Kettering Health is 16 00:01:01,480 --> 00:01:05,440 Speaker 1: the official healthcare provider of the Bengals. Now here's a 17 00:01:05,520 --> 00:01:08,080 Speaker 1: quick reminder that you can have the latest edition of 18 00:01:08,120 --> 00:01:11,759 Speaker 1: this podcast delivered write to your phone, tablet, or computer 19 00:01:11,880 --> 00:01:16,280 Speaker 1: by subscribing wherever you get your podcasts. It's the greatest 20 00:01:16,280 --> 00:01:22,959 Speaker 1: thing since Swedish pancakes. My ancestors are mostly Swedish, and 21 00:01:23,000 --> 00:01:27,480 Speaker 1: as a kid, my great grandmother frequently made us Swedish pancakes. 22 00:01:27,880 --> 00:01:31,800 Speaker 1: If you've never had them, they're souper thin, more like 23 00:01:31,880 --> 00:01:35,720 Speaker 1: a crep than an American style pancake, and in Sweden 24 00:01:35,959 --> 00:01:40,040 Speaker 1: they're typically served with lingolnberry jam. I'm more of a 25 00:01:40,080 --> 00:01:44,080 Speaker 1: butter and maple syrup guy in any case. Now I 26 00:01:44,240 --> 00:01:47,840 Speaker 1: make them once a year on Christmas morning, and in 27 00:01:47,880 --> 00:01:51,960 Speaker 1: the interest of full disclosure, it couldn't be easier. You 28 00:01:52,040 --> 00:01:56,040 Speaker 1: can buy Swedish pancake mix in a box, add water 29 00:01:56,280 --> 00:02:00,720 Speaker 1: and an egg, and presto. They're just like great Grandma 30 00:02:00,920 --> 00:02:04,800 Speaker 1: used to make. So give it a try. You'll say 31 00:02:05,400 --> 00:02:11,040 Speaker 1: tuck that Swedish for thank you. Now let's get to football. 32 00:02:11,800 --> 00:02:14,519 Speaker 1: Last Saturday's game in Pittsburgh was rough, but it was 33 00:02:14,560 --> 00:02:17,960 Speaker 1: still a special day for Orlando Brown Junior. In the 34 00:02:18,000 --> 00:02:20,840 Speaker 1: locker room after the game, he watched the birth of 35 00:02:20,880 --> 00:02:25,799 Speaker 1: his second son, a boy named Sonny, on FaceTime. This week, 36 00:02:26,120 --> 00:02:28,600 Speaker 1: he goes back to Kansas City, where he earned a 37 00:02:28,680 --> 00:02:32,320 Speaker 1: Super Bowl ring last year. I caught up with Orlando 38 00:02:32,720 --> 00:02:39,000 Speaker 1: on Wednesday. First congratulations are in order. Orlando Brown Junior 39 00:02:39,400 --> 00:02:41,959 Speaker 1: is a two time dad as of Saturday. 40 00:02:42,200 --> 00:02:43,600 Speaker 2: Yes, I am, Yes, I am. Man. 41 00:02:43,639 --> 00:02:47,200 Speaker 3: I'm super super blessed to be able to obviously be 42 00:02:47,240 --> 00:02:47,920 Speaker 3: here for my kids. 43 00:02:47,960 --> 00:02:48,120 Speaker 2: Man. 44 00:02:48,160 --> 00:02:51,760 Speaker 3: You know, losing my dad at fifteen was hard for me. 45 00:02:51,960 --> 00:02:53,920 Speaker 3: But man, to be able to bring these lives in 46 00:02:53,960 --> 00:02:56,239 Speaker 3: the world and beat her for him menace everything to me. 47 00:02:57,080 --> 00:03:00,239 Speaker 1: And both Christmas babies one born just before the they're 48 00:03:00,320 --> 00:03:00,680 Speaker 1: just after. 49 00:03:00,800 --> 00:03:02,720 Speaker 2: Yeah, exactly, man, the twenty third and twenty eighth. 50 00:03:02,840 --> 00:03:06,280 Speaker 1: So all right, let's talk about Sunday's game. It's one 51 00:03:06,280 --> 00:03:08,840 Speaker 1: of the great rivalries in the NFL, the Bengals against 52 00:03:08,880 --> 00:03:10,239 Speaker 1: the Chiefs. You were on the other side of the 53 00:03:10,320 --> 00:03:12,680 Speaker 1: rivalry for the last couple of years. What did you 54 00:03:12,800 --> 00:03:15,480 Speaker 1: think of the Bengals from the opposite sideline. 55 00:03:15,560 --> 00:03:17,359 Speaker 2: Yeah, well, I mean one of the reasons I signed here. 56 00:03:17,360 --> 00:03:17,560 Speaker 4: Man. 57 00:03:18,040 --> 00:03:21,920 Speaker 3: You can always tell how tough and physical, how hard 58 00:03:21,960 --> 00:03:25,720 Speaker 3: this group plays, how determined they were. You know, I 59 00:03:26,000 --> 00:03:27,840 Speaker 3: think being on the other side of things, man, having 60 00:03:27,840 --> 00:03:30,280 Speaker 3: only one of the one of the battles, that was 61 00:03:30,320 --> 00:03:31,520 Speaker 3: what stuck out to me the most. 62 00:03:32,480 --> 00:03:35,960 Speaker 1: Was there anybody on the Bengals roster where you were like, man, 63 00:03:36,000 --> 00:03:38,160 Speaker 1: I don't like that guy, and now that your teammates 64 00:03:38,200 --> 00:03:39,920 Speaker 1: you're like, hey, this is a cool dude. 65 00:03:39,960 --> 00:03:43,680 Speaker 2: Yeah. Honestly, probably all of them, Probably all of them, 66 00:03:44,880 --> 00:03:45,080 Speaker 2: you know. 67 00:03:45,200 --> 00:03:47,720 Speaker 3: I it's funny to say that, you know, we were 68 00:03:47,800 --> 00:03:50,240 Speaker 3: just recently talking about that, just because the rivalry is 69 00:03:50,280 --> 00:03:53,320 Speaker 3: so competitive, and you know, you you don't really know 70 00:03:53,360 --> 00:03:56,040 Speaker 3: the guys in the other locker room, and you know, 71 00:03:56,520 --> 00:03:58,200 Speaker 3: I was just staying on all of them, honestly. 72 00:03:58,400 --> 00:04:02,240 Speaker 1: So going back to the AFC Championship game last year, 73 00:04:02,800 --> 00:04:07,800 Speaker 1: did the Bengals calling Arrowhead Burrowhead or the Mayor's ill 74 00:04:07,840 --> 00:04:12,160 Speaker 1: advised video trolling Patrick Mahomes kick you off at the time. 75 00:04:12,360 --> 00:04:15,720 Speaker 3: Yeah, I mean personally, man, you know, I get it. 76 00:04:15,800 --> 00:04:17,920 Speaker 3: You know, the trash talk and stuff. I can't really 77 00:04:17,920 --> 00:04:20,559 Speaker 3: say it bothered me. Maybe it's some of the others 78 00:04:20,600 --> 00:04:23,360 Speaker 3: as much, but you know, it's kind of a part 79 00:04:23,400 --> 00:04:25,520 Speaker 3: of it, man, And I think that's what made the 80 00:04:25,600 --> 00:04:28,160 Speaker 3: robbery so entertaining. It's so great, is those little things 81 00:04:28,480 --> 00:04:31,120 Speaker 3: that kind of going on the outside that you know, 82 00:04:31,560 --> 00:04:34,479 Speaker 3: obviously going to the game and up until that point, 83 00:04:34,520 --> 00:04:37,160 Speaker 3: I mean, what they had won three straight against US, 84 00:04:37,200 --> 00:04:39,000 Speaker 3: so you know they had our number. 85 00:04:39,360 --> 00:04:41,880 Speaker 1: Or visiting with the Orlando Brown junior. In other sports, 86 00:04:41,880 --> 00:04:46,240 Speaker 1: when you face a former team, it's not necessarily physical. 87 00:04:47,279 --> 00:04:49,719 Speaker 1: On Sunday you'll be looking to pummel guys that were 88 00:04:49,720 --> 00:04:53,000 Speaker 1: close friends ten months ago. Was that strange the first 89 00:04:53,080 --> 00:04:55,479 Speaker 1: time you did it? And is it still strange now? 90 00:04:55,760 --> 00:04:55,839 Speaker 4: No? 91 00:04:56,000 --> 00:04:57,680 Speaker 3: Man, I mean, you know, at the end of the day, 92 00:04:57,680 --> 00:04:59,480 Speaker 3: it's my job. Man, I don't care if my mother 93 00:04:59,520 --> 00:05:01,039 Speaker 3: had a home on the other side of the ball. 94 00:05:01,640 --> 00:05:03,280 Speaker 3: That's just the kind of way I think about it. 95 00:05:03,800 --> 00:05:05,919 Speaker 3: You know, this guy's trying to feed his family like 96 00:05:05,920 --> 00:05:07,640 Speaker 3: I'm trying to do trying to feed mine, and so 97 00:05:08,200 --> 00:05:10,160 Speaker 3: you know, when it comes to the mentality, man, I mean, 98 00:05:10,360 --> 00:05:13,520 Speaker 3: there is no backing down, there is no laying off. 99 00:05:14,480 --> 00:05:16,599 Speaker 3: It's full go, you know, once we're out there on 100 00:05:16,720 --> 00:05:17,400 Speaker 3: and light on. 101 00:05:18,120 --> 00:05:21,240 Speaker 1: So you're going into Arrowhead, which holds the record for 102 00:05:21,360 --> 00:05:24,159 Speaker 1: loudest stadium for a sporting event. It was one hundred 103 00:05:24,200 --> 00:05:27,440 Speaker 1: and forty two decibels several years ago. Is it the 104 00:05:27,480 --> 00:05:29,200 Speaker 1: loudest that you've ever played in? 105 00:05:29,520 --> 00:05:29,719 Speaker 4: Yeah? 106 00:05:29,800 --> 00:05:30,520 Speaker 2: Man, definitely. 107 00:05:31,040 --> 00:05:34,320 Speaker 3: You know, I think Arrowhead is extremely loud from all 108 00:05:34,320 --> 00:05:36,919 Speaker 3: the times that I've been there, even as an opposing 109 00:05:37,960 --> 00:05:43,719 Speaker 3: player Seattle too, you know that that environment. And here 110 00:05:43,760 --> 00:05:47,520 Speaker 3: in Cincinnati another another stadium that's crazy, M and T Bank, 111 00:05:48,320 --> 00:05:53,240 Speaker 3: Baltimore and San Francisco. Man, those stadiums, those fans get rowdy. 112 00:05:53,279 --> 00:05:57,000 Speaker 1: Now, So as an o lineman at some point is 113 00:05:57,160 --> 00:06:01,960 Speaker 1: loud just loud or the ones that you just mentioned, 114 00:06:02,120 --> 00:06:04,040 Speaker 1: is at a different level in trying to communicate. 115 00:06:04,240 --> 00:06:07,000 Speaker 3: It's a different level when trying to communicate because honestly, 116 00:06:07,000 --> 00:06:08,600 Speaker 3: it's hard to hear the man next to you, and 117 00:06:08,640 --> 00:06:11,559 Speaker 3: so uh sometimes even with the quarterback checking and play 118 00:06:11,680 --> 00:06:14,120 Speaker 3: or if you are on cadence in a certain situation 119 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:17,599 Speaker 3: under center. I mean, it's hard. It's hard. But you know, 120 00:06:17,600 --> 00:06:19,080 Speaker 3: those are things you got to overcome on the road. 121 00:06:19,279 --> 00:06:21,640 Speaker 3: And that's why I'm super excited for the opportunity to 122 00:06:21,640 --> 00:06:24,440 Speaker 3: get out here to Kansas City with this team. Is 123 00:06:24,640 --> 00:06:26,800 Speaker 3: you know, because there is gonna be adversity in this game, 124 00:06:26,839 --> 00:06:29,240 Speaker 3: and uh, that's that's part of the sport, that's part 125 00:06:29,240 --> 00:06:32,479 Speaker 3: of you know, these Bengals Chiefs games, and uh, you know, 126 00:06:32,560 --> 00:06:35,200 Speaker 3: I think the crowd noise is going to kind of 127 00:06:35,200 --> 00:06:37,760 Speaker 3: add to that. And so that's what makes it special, man, 128 00:06:37,880 --> 00:06:39,560 Speaker 3: is you know, we get the opportunity to go out 129 00:06:39,560 --> 00:06:42,360 Speaker 3: here against a really good football team, obviously a team 130 00:06:42,400 --> 00:06:44,279 Speaker 3: that you know, took this team out of the Super 131 00:06:44,320 --> 00:06:47,240 Speaker 3: Bowl last year, and and uh, you know all those 132 00:06:47,240 --> 00:06:47,960 Speaker 3: things that go into it. 133 00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:48,839 Speaker 2: Man, it's super exciting. 134 00:06:49,320 --> 00:06:52,039 Speaker 1: So after the loss to Pittsburgh on Saturday, most of 135 00:06:52,080 --> 00:06:55,400 Speaker 1: the other results were favorable to the Bengals except for 136 00:06:55,440 --> 00:06:57,440 Speaker 1: Buffalo winning, but the other games kind of fell in 137 00:06:57,520 --> 00:07:01,600 Speaker 1: Cincinnati's favor. Were you even really paying attention to any 138 00:07:01,680 --> 00:07:03,720 Speaker 1: of that? And now that you know it has it 139 00:07:03,880 --> 00:07:06,400 Speaker 1: energized the team at all, knowing, hey, we're still very 140 00:07:06,480 --> 00:07:06,880 Speaker 1: much in this. 141 00:07:07,120 --> 00:07:10,480 Speaker 3: Yeah, man, you know, no matter what with the season, man, 142 00:07:10,520 --> 00:07:11,840 Speaker 3: I try to take it one week at a time. 143 00:07:11,960 --> 00:07:13,600 Speaker 3: And I know that's kind of cliche and a little 144 00:07:13,600 --> 00:07:16,360 Speaker 3: bit of corny, but you know, so many things can 145 00:07:16,360 --> 00:07:19,000 Speaker 3: happen week to week, and trying to keep up with 146 00:07:19,320 --> 00:07:24,040 Speaker 3: playoff contention, and you know, the week fourteen or it's hard, 147 00:07:24,080 --> 00:07:25,760 Speaker 3: you know what I mean? And so I keep it 148 00:07:25,800 --> 00:07:28,200 Speaker 3: week the week, man, And first and foremost, we got 149 00:07:28,240 --> 00:07:30,520 Speaker 3: to beat this football team in Kansas City, and I 150 00:07:30,560 --> 00:07:32,880 Speaker 3: think from there everything else will take care of yourself. 151 00:07:33,400 --> 00:07:36,280 Speaker 1: The Chiefs record is one game better than the Bengals record, 152 00:07:36,360 --> 00:07:39,600 Speaker 1: and they've had a healthy Patrick Mahomes all year. Obviously 153 00:07:39,640 --> 00:07:42,240 Speaker 1: you have not had a healthy Joe Burrow all year. 154 00:07:42,640 --> 00:07:44,200 Speaker 1: What do you think's up in Kansas City? 155 00:07:44,320 --> 00:07:47,000 Speaker 3: Yeah, well, I mean, I think overall, just in the NFL, 156 00:07:47,040 --> 00:07:49,800 Speaker 3: you look around how competitive the league is, and how 157 00:07:49,880 --> 00:07:51,960 Speaker 3: much more competitive it is. You know, the NFL is 158 00:07:52,000 --> 00:07:55,080 Speaker 3: designed to somewhat haven't even playing field, in the way 159 00:07:55,080 --> 00:07:57,280 Speaker 3: that free agency works, in the way that the waiver 160 00:07:57,320 --> 00:07:59,320 Speaker 3: wire works with the worst team getting the best option 161 00:07:59,720 --> 00:08:02,800 Speaker 3: rec for the draft, all those different things. And uh, 162 00:08:02,880 --> 00:08:06,239 Speaker 3: I think you look around the league, man, even within 163 00:08:06,280 --> 00:08:08,800 Speaker 3: their division. For Kansas City, Denver is a better football 164 00:08:08,800 --> 00:08:10,880 Speaker 3: team than they've ever been. Uh, the Raiders are a 165 00:08:10,880 --> 00:08:14,000 Speaker 3: really good football team, playing really hard. And you know 166 00:08:14,080 --> 00:08:16,200 Speaker 3: the Chargers are are you know, playing hard as well, 167 00:08:16,200 --> 00:08:18,720 Speaker 3: even though they're down with Justin Herbert. So when you 168 00:08:18,760 --> 00:08:20,880 Speaker 3: have a little small things like that going on around 169 00:08:20,880 --> 00:08:23,080 Speaker 3: the sport, man, you've got teams like Buffalo that are 170 00:08:23,120 --> 00:08:25,600 Speaker 3: that are really good, have really good rosters. You know, 171 00:08:25,600 --> 00:08:27,160 Speaker 3: I think all those things kind of go hand to hand. 172 00:08:27,200 --> 00:08:30,200 Speaker 3: And so man, that's that's what that's what this league 173 00:08:30,200 --> 00:08:33,719 Speaker 3: is about. It's it's literally a game of inches and so, uh, 174 00:08:33,920 --> 00:08:36,040 Speaker 3: Kansas City has come up short a few times due 175 00:08:36,040 --> 00:08:37,960 Speaker 3: to that reason. Man, whether it be a turnover here there, 176 00:08:38,000 --> 00:08:39,720 Speaker 3: you know, you take one of those turnovers out the game. 177 00:08:39,760 --> 00:08:41,840 Speaker 3: I mean, I mean it's it's a pretty competitive game 178 00:08:41,880 --> 00:08:44,199 Speaker 3: last week for them. So, uh, that's just kind of 179 00:08:44,240 --> 00:08:45,559 Speaker 3: way the cookie crumbles. 180 00:08:45,559 --> 00:08:45,959 Speaker 2: You could say. 181 00:08:46,480 --> 00:08:48,719 Speaker 1: One thing that hasn't dropped off in Kansas City is 182 00:08:48,760 --> 00:08:48,960 Speaker 1: the d. 183 00:08:49,280 --> 00:08:49,520 Speaker 2: Yeah. 184 00:08:49,720 --> 00:08:52,800 Speaker 1: Number two in scoring defense, number two in yards allowed. 185 00:08:52,880 --> 00:08:55,480 Speaker 1: Is this as well as they've ever played on defense 186 00:08:55,480 --> 00:08:57,920 Speaker 1: since you've been a member of the NFL? 187 00:08:58,000 --> 00:09:01,000 Speaker 2: Yeah, definitely, Man, I think this def this is really special. 188 00:09:01,160 --> 00:09:03,240 Speaker 3: And they have you know, they have been They've always 189 00:09:03,240 --> 00:09:06,240 Speaker 3: had pretty much the same faces and names. 190 00:09:06,280 --> 00:09:07,160 Speaker 2: A few new. 191 00:09:07,040 --> 00:09:10,160 Speaker 3: People here and there, but you know, Spags is a 192 00:09:10,200 --> 00:09:12,240 Speaker 3: great defensive coordinator, man, and he gets this guy's going. 193 00:09:12,280 --> 00:09:15,040 Speaker 3: He's got greatest sinstant coaches. Obviously, Chris Jones is the 194 00:09:15,040 --> 00:09:17,960 Speaker 3: first battle of Hall of Famer, you know. So it's 195 00:09:17,960 --> 00:09:19,800 Speaker 3: a lot of things going going their way in terms 196 00:09:19,840 --> 00:09:21,480 Speaker 3: of that man, and they play really hard as well. 197 00:09:21,960 --> 00:09:25,520 Speaker 1: Fifth time around between these two rivals, it's all four 198 00:09:25,559 --> 00:09:27,400 Speaker 1: previous games have been decided by three points. 199 00:09:27,520 --> 00:09:29,400 Speaker 2: Yeah, and that's That's what this is about. 200 00:09:29,440 --> 00:09:32,680 Speaker 3: Man is winning it turnover battle, you know, being the 201 00:09:32,679 --> 00:09:34,719 Speaker 3: most disciplined team and winning a lot of scrimmage. 202 00:09:34,880 --> 00:09:37,600 Speaker 1: Congrats on Young Sunny, best of luck on Sunday, Yes, sir, 203 00:09:37,640 --> 00:09:41,120 Speaker 1: thank you. The Bengals are currently a seven point underdog 204 00:09:41,160 --> 00:09:44,680 Speaker 1: at Kansas City. The last time they lost to Pittsburgh, 205 00:09:44,800 --> 00:09:48,320 Speaker 1: they were a ten point underdog the following week and 206 00:09:48,400 --> 00:09:52,360 Speaker 1: beat Jacksonville in overtime on Monday Night Football thirty four 207 00:09:52,720 --> 00:09:54,840 Speaker 1: thirty one. Here's Zach Taylor. 208 00:09:55,040 --> 00:09:57,560 Speaker 5: You can look back to how this room was, how 209 00:09:57,720 --> 00:09:59,559 Speaker 5: locker room after the day after we lost Pittsburgh the 210 00:09:59,559 --> 00:10:02,400 Speaker 5: first time, you know, and there could have easily been 211 00:10:02,400 --> 00:10:04,360 Speaker 5: a narrative that this team's going to hang it up, 212 00:10:04,400 --> 00:10:07,200 Speaker 5: and that's not what happened. Instead, three games in a 213 00:10:07,280 --> 00:10:09,520 Speaker 5: row where we played really inspired football and found three 214 00:10:09,559 --> 00:10:11,640 Speaker 5: wins and you got ourselves back in the hunt. So 215 00:10:11,679 --> 00:10:13,880 Speaker 5: we're no different in the situation right now where we 216 00:10:13,920 --> 00:10:16,640 Speaker 5: need to be at our best this week against Kansas City. 217 00:10:16,679 --> 00:10:19,160 Speaker 5: And I'm excited to see if these guys respond. And 218 00:10:19,559 --> 00:10:20,840 Speaker 5: I know what they are, I know how they're going 219 00:10:20,880 --> 00:10:22,720 Speaker 5: to respond, and I'm excited to see it this week. 220 00:10:22,800 --> 00:10:25,040 Speaker 1: If the Bengals can win their final two games, they 221 00:10:25,040 --> 00:10:28,240 Speaker 1: have a ninety four percent chance of making the playoffs. 222 00:10:28,720 --> 00:10:31,680 Speaker 1: If they go one and one, it's a twenty one 223 00:10:31,760 --> 00:10:35,280 Speaker 1: percent chance. So a win in Kansas City this week 224 00:10:35,480 --> 00:10:39,760 Speaker 1: would be ginormous. For more in the likelihood of pulling 225 00:10:39,800 --> 00:10:42,760 Speaker 1: it off. I caught up with a familiar face from 226 00:10:42,800 --> 00:10:46,840 Speaker 1: the NFL Network. He is a host on the NFL 227 00:10:46,960 --> 00:10:48,960 Speaker 1: Network and he's called some games on the radio for 228 00:10:49,000 --> 00:10:51,400 Speaker 1: the Cleveland Browns this year. It is great to welcome 229 00:10:51,440 --> 00:10:55,360 Speaker 1: in my friend Andrew Ciciliano. Andrew, if the Bengals can 230 00:10:55,400 --> 00:10:57,800 Speaker 1: win their last two games, they can still make it 231 00:10:57,840 --> 00:11:00,360 Speaker 1: to the playoffs, and that road to the playoffs again's 232 00:11:00,400 --> 00:11:03,520 Speaker 1: at Kansas City this week. What do you make of 233 00:11:03,559 --> 00:11:07,160 Speaker 1: the Chiefs who are nine and six and just four 234 00:11:07,200 --> 00:11:07,920 Speaker 1: and four at home? 235 00:11:08,679 --> 00:11:11,360 Speaker 6: Oh boy, Dan, Happy Holidays, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, 236 00:11:12,040 --> 00:11:14,520 Speaker 6: all that fun stuff to you and yours. It was 237 00:11:14,600 --> 00:11:18,440 Speaker 6: not a merry Christmas, I know for the Chiefs. I 238 00:11:18,440 --> 00:11:21,120 Speaker 6: think I was like everyone else. You know, by the 239 00:11:21,160 --> 00:11:24,960 Speaker 6: time you get with the family and by the time, yeah, 240 00:11:25,120 --> 00:11:27,360 Speaker 6: you figure out you know, when is dinner going to 241 00:11:27,400 --> 00:11:30,360 Speaker 6: be served? Should I have another appetizer? Should I pour 242 00:11:30,400 --> 00:11:32,240 Speaker 6: another drink. You looked up and all of a sudden, 243 00:11:32,280 --> 00:11:35,120 Speaker 6: the Chiefs were losing in the fourth quarter, and everybody 244 00:11:35,200 --> 00:11:38,800 Speaker 6: wanted to blame Taylor Swift. I think they have some 245 00:11:39,000 --> 00:11:41,320 Speaker 6: legitimate issues, and I don't know that I've ever seen 246 00:11:41,360 --> 00:11:43,280 Speaker 6: I think this really tells the story. I don't know 247 00:11:43,320 --> 00:11:46,559 Speaker 6: that I've ever seen Patrick Mahomes that visibly frustrated on 248 00:11:46,640 --> 00:11:49,600 Speaker 6: the field, and it's been building. Obviously, there have been 249 00:11:49,600 --> 00:11:52,240 Speaker 6: moments and postgame with Josh Allen a couple of weeks 250 00:11:52,280 --> 00:11:56,320 Speaker 6: ago with the Gadarius tonyoff size that obviously was his 251 00:11:56,480 --> 00:12:00,439 Speaker 6: volcanic moment on the field, but just the first stration 252 00:12:00,800 --> 00:12:04,960 Speaker 6: down in, down, out, the body language with Kelsey throwing 253 00:12:05,000 --> 00:12:07,600 Speaker 6: the helmet and everything as well. I think that offense 254 00:12:07,720 --> 00:12:10,199 Speaker 6: is broken. They have nobody who can get open. Mahomes 255 00:12:10,200 --> 00:12:12,720 Speaker 6: truly does have to do everything by himself. With the 256 00:12:12,800 --> 00:12:15,800 Speaker 6: checko down concussion protocol, I think that adds an extra 257 00:12:15,920 --> 00:12:19,760 Speaker 6: layer of difficulty for the Chiefs. I think this team 258 00:12:19,800 --> 00:12:23,360 Speaker 6: is eminently beatable, even if the game is in Kansas 259 00:12:23,360 --> 00:12:27,120 Speaker 6: City and we keep waiting for it to click. Oh, 260 00:12:27,280 --> 00:12:29,559 Speaker 6: don't worry, Mahomes and Andy Reid are going to figure 261 00:12:29,559 --> 00:12:33,160 Speaker 6: it out well. They have it yet, which leads me 262 00:12:33,240 --> 00:12:34,840 Speaker 6: to believe if they aren't going to. 263 00:12:35,640 --> 00:12:39,000 Speaker 1: After Kansas City, it's a home game against the Cleveland Browns. 264 00:12:39,040 --> 00:12:41,400 Speaker 1: You called the Browns game last week on the radio. 265 00:12:41,679 --> 00:12:44,959 Speaker 1: At this point, the way Joe Flacco is playing, are 266 00:12:45,000 --> 00:12:46,880 Speaker 1: the Browns a legit contender? 267 00:12:47,600 --> 00:12:48,200 Speaker 4: I think they are. 268 00:12:48,280 --> 00:12:51,160 Speaker 6: Dan and the Browns fan in me, and for those 269 00:12:51,160 --> 00:12:53,480 Speaker 6: who don't know, I was born and raised day Browns fan, 270 00:12:53,520 --> 00:12:56,320 Speaker 6: I will be there for Thursday night football in the 271 00:12:56,440 --> 00:13:00,840 Speaker 6: stands as a fan dressed formally. Of course, the Browns 272 00:13:00,880 --> 00:13:03,560 Speaker 6: fan in me doesn't want to say it because you 273 00:13:03,600 --> 00:13:07,440 Speaker 6: tell yourself you can't have good things and don't dream 274 00:13:07,520 --> 00:13:11,000 Speaker 6: of playoff victories yet, just take it day by day, 275 00:13:11,000 --> 00:13:13,120 Speaker 6: week by week, as Stefanski says, go one to oh 276 00:13:13,200 --> 00:13:17,480 Speaker 6: every week. But Flacco has brought a new level of confidence, 277 00:13:17,840 --> 00:13:21,600 Speaker 6: and I think in this holiday season, I don't want 278 00:13:21,600 --> 00:13:23,720 Speaker 6: to get too deep here, but I think the issue 279 00:13:23,760 --> 00:13:26,920 Speaker 6: of gratitude is relevant here if you go back and 280 00:13:26,960 --> 00:13:31,719 Speaker 6: you look after the Jaguars victory, when Stefanski gave flackaway 281 00:13:31,800 --> 00:13:35,200 Speaker 6: game ball postgame speech in the locker room, Flacco said 282 00:13:35,200 --> 00:13:39,839 Speaker 6: to the team, thank you for having me, like thank 283 00:13:39,880 --> 00:13:43,200 Speaker 6: you for letting me in here. He is that grateful 284 00:13:43,240 --> 00:13:46,359 Speaker 6: to have another shot at it, and with this team 285 00:13:46,600 --> 00:13:50,560 Speaker 6: it's working, and they are that grateful in return to 286 00:13:50,800 --> 00:13:54,480 Speaker 6: have him, and it is a sight to behold and 287 00:13:54,559 --> 00:13:58,800 Speaker 6: the level of confidence and joy with which they were 288 00:13:58,880 --> 00:14:03,880 Speaker 6: playing because he is there is something Andrew. 289 00:14:03,960 --> 00:14:06,400 Speaker 1: Let's turn to Jake Brown and he's made five starts 290 00:14:06,440 --> 00:14:09,120 Speaker 1: since Joe Burrow went down. His passer rating is ninety 291 00:14:09,200 --> 00:14:11,880 Speaker 1: nine point four. He's averaging more than three hundred passing 292 00:14:11,960 --> 00:14:16,760 Speaker 1: yards per game in this year of backup quarterbacks. What 293 00:14:16,840 --> 00:14:18,679 Speaker 1: do you think of Jake Browning in the job he's 294 00:14:18,720 --> 00:14:19,920 Speaker 1: done in Cincinnati. 295 00:14:20,400 --> 00:14:23,040 Speaker 6: I think it's phenomenal. Part of me was yelling at 296 00:14:23,040 --> 00:14:24,640 Speaker 6: my TV in the first quarter, Daan, I'm sure you 297 00:14:24,680 --> 00:14:28,400 Speaker 6: were yelling at the radio as well when he I think, 298 00:14:28,480 --> 00:14:30,320 Speaker 6: tried to throw the ball away in the back right 299 00:14:30,360 --> 00:14:34,000 Speaker 6: corner of the end zone. But also when you have 300 00:14:34,080 --> 00:14:36,000 Speaker 6: t Higgins make the play the week before, you have 301 00:14:36,080 --> 00:14:39,640 Speaker 6: that confidence, and Jake is certainly not one lacking confidence 302 00:14:39,640 --> 00:14:41,800 Speaker 6: that you can make that play. I love the guy, 303 00:14:42,640 --> 00:14:45,840 Speaker 6: I think, Dan, you and I talked on serious x 304 00:14:45,960 --> 00:14:49,360 Speaker 6: MNFL radio the day after the Joe Burrow injury. I 305 00:14:49,400 --> 00:14:51,880 Speaker 6: had you on as a guest, and I said, I 306 00:14:51,960 --> 00:14:55,600 Speaker 6: think the season's over, not out of spite, I just 307 00:14:55,640 --> 00:14:58,640 Speaker 6: didn't see this coming. It is a great holiday gift 308 00:14:58,680 --> 00:15:00,680 Speaker 6: and the Bengals still have a shot, which this time 309 00:15:00,720 --> 00:15:02,600 Speaker 6: of the year is all you can ask for. And 310 00:15:02,680 --> 00:15:05,280 Speaker 6: here's here's why Bengals fans should be rooting for the 311 00:15:05,280 --> 00:15:09,680 Speaker 6: Browns on Thursday. Because if the Browns win, and the 312 00:15:09,720 --> 00:15:14,160 Speaker 6: Browns are in and the Ravens win and the Ravens 313 00:15:14,320 --> 00:15:17,360 Speaker 6: lock up number one, Brown's got nothing to play for 314 00:15:17,400 --> 00:15:21,080 Speaker 6: a week eighteen and they are decimated by injuries, and 315 00:15:21,160 --> 00:15:26,440 Speaker 6: you could see PJ. Walker week eighteen. So Bengals fans 316 00:15:26,600 --> 00:15:27,680 Speaker 6: root for the Browns. 317 00:15:28,560 --> 00:15:31,760 Speaker 1: Let's talk about a Bengals defensive player. When people around 318 00:15:31,840 --> 00:15:34,560 Speaker 1: the NFL talk about the great edge rushers in the league, 319 00:15:34,560 --> 00:15:38,239 Speaker 1: they're going to mention TJ. Watt, Miles Garrett, and obviously 320 00:15:38,360 --> 00:15:41,960 Speaker 1: Micah Parsons and some others. You don't hear Trey Hendrickson 321 00:15:42,120 --> 00:15:43,240 Speaker 1: come up all that often. 322 00:15:43,360 --> 00:15:43,640 Speaker 4: TJ. 323 00:15:43,680 --> 00:15:45,560 Speaker 1: Watt's the only player in the NFL right now with 324 00:15:45,600 --> 00:15:49,760 Speaker 1: more sacks than Trey who has sixteen. Does he belong 325 00:15:49,880 --> 00:15:52,560 Speaker 1: in that conversation? And do you have a theory for 326 00:15:52,600 --> 00:15:55,080 Speaker 1: why he doesn't get that kind of publicity. 327 00:15:56,640 --> 00:15:59,560 Speaker 6: That's a great question. Why does he not? That I 328 00:15:59,560 --> 00:16:02,080 Speaker 6: can't answer, But I think a sack and six straight 329 00:16:02,120 --> 00:16:05,840 Speaker 6: games of those overall numbers certainly deserve more attention. I 330 00:16:05,840 --> 00:16:07,840 Speaker 6: think the people to know football know the kind of 331 00:16:07,920 --> 00:16:13,400 Speaker 6: job Trey Henderson does against the run as well. I'll 332 00:16:13,440 --> 00:16:15,640 Speaker 6: go back to Stefanski. He went off in his soapbox 333 00:16:15,720 --> 00:16:20,000 Speaker 6: last week about stats being the only numbers kind of 334 00:16:20,000 --> 00:16:22,640 Speaker 6: like home runs in baseball, that anyone pays attention to, 335 00:16:22,680 --> 00:16:25,320 Speaker 6: but it truly doesn't tell the entire story, whether it's 336 00:16:25,360 --> 00:16:28,600 Speaker 6: pressures or TFLs or plays in the backfield in general, 337 00:16:29,200 --> 00:16:32,240 Speaker 6: Trey Hendrickson has all of those things if you take 338 00:16:32,280 --> 00:16:35,400 Speaker 6: a deeper dive, and that's not analytics, that's just a 339 00:16:35,440 --> 00:16:39,600 Speaker 6: better way of analyzing the way somebody is playing. Trey Henderson. 340 00:16:40,120 --> 00:16:44,720 Speaker 6: Hendrickson does deserve more attention. But the squeaky wheel, like 341 00:16:44,760 --> 00:16:48,160 Speaker 6: Michah Parsons and Jerry Jones complaining about not getting holding calls, 342 00:16:48,480 --> 00:16:50,520 Speaker 6: generally speaking, is what's going to be heard on the 343 00:16:50,520 --> 00:16:52,840 Speaker 6: screaming head shows every morning when you turn your radio on. 344 00:16:53,280 --> 00:16:55,440 Speaker 1: All right, let's look ahead to next year. The Bengals 345 00:16:55,480 --> 00:16:57,920 Speaker 1: will have a healthy Joe Burrow back, and they're going 346 00:16:57,920 --> 00:17:00,000 Speaker 1: to have them as their quarterback at least through twenty 347 00:17:00,080 --> 00:17:03,320 Speaker 1: twenty nine. After the contract extension that he signed prior 348 00:17:03,400 --> 00:17:05,960 Speaker 1: to this season. There are going to be some salary 349 00:17:06,000 --> 00:17:10,000 Speaker 1: cap implications to come. But give us your long term 350 00:17:10,200 --> 00:17:12,200 Speaker 1: prognosis for the Cincinnati Bengals. 351 00:17:12,840 --> 00:17:15,720 Speaker 6: What did Joe say? The window is as long as 352 00:17:15,760 --> 00:17:21,520 Speaker 6: I'm here right the window is my career. I think 353 00:17:22,280 --> 00:17:26,080 Speaker 6: I'm going to go. I'll have what he's having. I 354 00:17:26,200 --> 00:17:28,760 Speaker 6: fully believe that. But I also know Dan, as you 355 00:17:28,800 --> 00:17:31,840 Speaker 6: guys will know there and is always the topic of conversation, 356 00:17:32,320 --> 00:17:35,480 Speaker 6: especially this year, that there are other contracts to worry about, 357 00:17:35,480 --> 00:17:38,840 Speaker 6: another mouths to feed, specifically in the wide receiver room. 358 00:17:39,119 --> 00:17:40,640 Speaker 2: So it's going to be a balancing act. 359 00:17:40,680 --> 00:17:44,400 Speaker 6: And what you hope doesn't happen is honestly what's going 360 00:17:44,480 --> 00:17:47,680 Speaker 6: on right now in Kansas City, because we all agree 361 00:17:48,160 --> 00:17:51,280 Speaker 6: that if they had simply paid a little bit more 362 00:17:51,320 --> 00:17:56,159 Speaker 6: to Tyreek Hill, then maybe people aren't blaming Taylor Swift 363 00:17:56,720 --> 00:18:00,560 Speaker 6: and the Chiefs offense is still clicking, and it would 364 00:18:00,560 --> 00:18:04,600 Speaker 6: be great if you could keep that wide receiver room intact. 365 00:18:05,040 --> 00:18:07,800 Speaker 6: I don't know that you can but as long as 366 00:18:07,880 --> 00:18:10,800 Speaker 6: Joe is there, I firmly believe that they will be fine, 367 00:18:10,800 --> 00:18:14,840 Speaker 6: because I also believe in Duke Tobin's ability to continue 368 00:18:14,920 --> 00:18:16,240 Speaker 6: to restock this roster. 369 00:18:16,920 --> 00:18:19,600 Speaker 1: You are spending time with your family for the holidays. 370 00:18:19,640 --> 00:18:21,399 Speaker 1: We interrupted a shopping spree. 371 00:18:21,480 --> 00:18:25,440 Speaker 6: That's what's in the back couring rain here in northern Virginia. 372 00:18:25,640 --> 00:18:27,880 Speaker 6: I actually came inside here to the car to get dry. 373 00:18:29,000 --> 00:18:32,200 Speaker 1: All right, Well in happy shopping once you get out 374 00:18:32,240 --> 00:18:35,000 Speaker 1: of the car, once it stops raining. We appreciate your time, 375 00:18:35,160 --> 00:18:38,399 Speaker 1: enjoy that Browns game, and look forward to catching up 376 00:18:38,400 --> 00:18:39,920 Speaker 1: again sometime soon. Thanks Andrew. 377 00:18:40,359 --> 00:18:43,520 Speaker 6: Like I said, happy holidays, Merry Christmas, and Happy New 378 00:18:43,600 --> 00:18:47,119 Speaker 6: Year to every Bengals fan had obviously Danty you and 379 00:18:47,160 --> 00:18:47,800 Speaker 6: yours as well. 380 00:18:48,520 --> 00:18:51,240 Speaker 1: The Bengals Booth podcast is brought to you by pay Corps, 381 00:18:51,280 --> 00:18:55,040 Speaker 1: proud to be the Bengals official HR software provider, by 382 00:18:55,160 --> 00:18:58,920 Speaker 1: Alta Fiber future proof Fiber Internet designed to elevate your home, 383 00:18:58,920 --> 00:19:02,440 Speaker 1: business and community to a new level, and by Kettering 384 00:19:02,440 --> 00:19:06,080 Speaker 1: Health the best care for the best fans. Kettering Health 385 00:19:06,160 --> 00:19:10,160 Speaker 1: is the official healthcare provider of the Bengals. In order 386 00:19:10,160 --> 00:19:12,840 Speaker 1: for the Bengals to beat the Chiefs on Sunday. Jake 387 00:19:12,880 --> 00:19:15,800 Speaker 1: Browning is going to have to rebound from the first 388 00:19:15,840 --> 00:19:19,120 Speaker 1: bad start of his NFL career, as he threw three 389 00:19:19,160 --> 00:19:22,280 Speaker 1: interceptions in Saturday's loss at Pittsburgh. 390 00:19:22,400 --> 00:19:24,200 Speaker 7: I'm not the first quarterback to that have a tough game, 391 00:19:24,440 --> 00:19:26,440 Speaker 7: and there's been a lot of great quarterbacks that I 392 00:19:26,440 --> 00:19:30,040 Speaker 7: had some really really bad games, and so I'm not. 393 00:19:30,200 --> 00:19:31,040 Speaker 2: Discouraged by that. 394 00:19:31,160 --> 00:19:34,280 Speaker 7: I think you watch it with I watched my losses 395 00:19:34,280 --> 00:19:37,000 Speaker 7: the same way I watch my wins, and there's always 396 00:19:37,000 --> 00:19:40,040 Speaker 7: going to be something you need to do better taking 397 00:19:40,040 --> 00:19:42,280 Speaker 7: that into account. But then also, like for me, it's 398 00:19:42,680 --> 00:19:45,200 Speaker 7: you know, okay, it's very easy to say, okay, don't 399 00:19:45,240 --> 00:19:48,040 Speaker 7: turn the ball over. Okay, Well, you know, how do 400 00:19:48,080 --> 00:19:50,000 Speaker 7: you do that while it's sustaining aggressive in the scheme, 401 00:19:50,040 --> 00:19:52,280 Speaker 7: because I do need to play well and play like 402 00:19:52,280 --> 00:19:54,480 Speaker 7: that in order to win games. There's no quarterbacks in 403 00:19:54,480 --> 00:19:56,720 Speaker 7: the NFL that are just showing up on game day 404 00:19:56,720 --> 00:19:59,000 Speaker 7: and you know, just playing not to mess up and 405 00:19:59,000 --> 00:20:02,520 Speaker 7: then winning a bunch of games games. So it's not 406 00:20:02,560 --> 00:20:04,200 Speaker 7: as easy as just saying that, And so you got 407 00:20:04,200 --> 00:20:07,600 Speaker 7: to find that balance and you know, hopefully be able 408 00:20:07,640 --> 00:20:10,200 Speaker 7: to do that throughout this week of practice and play well. 409 00:20:10,560 --> 00:20:11,320 Speaker 2: It's the Chiefs. 410 00:20:11,400 --> 00:20:14,520 Speaker 1: If Browning had enough attempts to qualify, his passer rating 411 00:20:14,600 --> 00:20:18,280 Speaker 1: of ninety eight point five would rank sixth best in 412 00:20:18,320 --> 00:20:23,159 Speaker 1: the NFL. Patrick Mahomes is currently fifteenth in that stat 413 00:20:23,800 --> 00:20:27,800 Speaker 1: mostly due to his fourteen interceptions, the highest total of 414 00:20:27,840 --> 00:20:31,439 Speaker 1: his NFL career. For more on Kansas City and the 415 00:20:31,480 --> 00:20:36,800 Speaker 1: Bengals Chiefs rivalry, radio analyst Danan Hughes joined Dave laphaman me, 416 00:20:37,240 --> 00:20:38,840 Speaker 1: I'm the Bengals game plan and show. 417 00:20:40,160 --> 00:20:44,040 Speaker 4: It's definitely different circumstances now, but still a lot on 418 00:20:44,080 --> 00:20:46,960 Speaker 4: the line for us and you guys, and we have 419 00:20:47,040 --> 00:20:48,639 Speaker 4: to make the best of it. So it's still going 420 00:20:48,680 --> 00:20:52,960 Speaker 4: to be an epic clash. Definitely. You guys are one 421 00:20:53,000 --> 00:20:56,439 Speaker 4: of the teams, one of the two probably three teams 422 00:20:56,440 --> 00:20:59,520 Speaker 4: that I say in the NFL that are very comfortable 423 00:20:59,560 --> 00:21:04,080 Speaker 4: coming in to Geha Field at Arrowhead Stadium, and we 424 00:21:04,200 --> 00:21:05,919 Speaker 4: have to be ready for it. We haven't played our 425 00:21:06,000 --> 00:21:09,480 Speaker 4: best football at home. Of our six losses, four of 426 00:21:09,520 --> 00:21:12,920 Speaker 4: them have been at home, so we got to change 427 00:21:12,920 --> 00:21:15,600 Speaker 4: that around and for the first time, if we can 428 00:21:15,640 --> 00:21:17,360 Speaker 4: get this win or at least one of the next 429 00:21:17,400 --> 00:21:20,080 Speaker 4: two wins, we'll be in the playoffs and we'll have 430 00:21:20,840 --> 00:21:23,439 Speaker 4: an uphill battle with Patrick Malmes having to go on 431 00:21:23,480 --> 00:21:26,959 Speaker 4: the road at some point. So definitely a lot on 432 00:21:26,960 --> 00:21:30,399 Speaker 4: the line, a lot to be digesting right now, but 433 00:21:31,000 --> 00:21:33,000 Speaker 4: it's the matter at hand that we have to try 434 00:21:33,000 --> 00:21:33,800 Speaker 4: to take advantage of. 435 00:21:34,640 --> 00:21:38,720 Speaker 8: Are you surprised that the Kansas City Chiefs have not 436 00:21:38,880 --> 00:21:42,000 Speaker 8: found their rhythm offensively yet? You know, it's been up 437 00:21:42,040 --> 00:21:45,880 Speaker 8: and down. I guess, to say the least. What's your 438 00:21:45,880 --> 00:21:48,760 Speaker 8: thought there? Why do you think they're struggling so badly 439 00:21:48,800 --> 00:21:49,639 Speaker 8: to find their rhythm? 440 00:21:51,640 --> 00:21:55,000 Speaker 4: Yeah, I am definitely surprised. I think many people around 441 00:21:55,000 --> 00:21:59,600 Speaker 4: the Chiefs Kingdom are surprised that we are not necessarily 442 00:22:00,240 --> 00:22:03,040 Speaker 4: as consistent as you would like. I think earlier this 443 00:22:03,119 --> 00:22:05,600 Speaker 4: season you kind of always chalk it up as Okay, 444 00:22:05,960 --> 00:22:08,359 Speaker 4: you don't need to be your best in September, and 445 00:22:08,400 --> 00:22:11,160 Speaker 4: then October came along and you had a few wins, 446 00:22:11,240 --> 00:22:14,560 Speaker 4: and you kind of felt like, all right, we're just 447 00:22:14,680 --> 00:22:16,639 Speaker 4: kind of hitting out groove. It's taking a little bit 448 00:22:16,680 --> 00:22:21,000 Speaker 4: longer than normal. Then November comes in December and we 449 00:22:21,040 --> 00:22:25,960 Speaker 4: can see these these losses that are starting to place 450 00:22:26,000 --> 00:22:30,400 Speaker 4: themselves in our situation, and we're like, Okay, now there's 451 00:22:30,400 --> 00:22:33,159 Speaker 4: some concern, and I don't think it's anything like fear. 452 00:22:33,680 --> 00:22:40,080 Speaker 4: I don't think it's anything like there's any disappointment or 453 00:22:40,720 --> 00:22:43,680 Speaker 4: panic feeling of the season is down down the drain, 454 00:22:43,840 --> 00:22:48,240 Speaker 4: or any panic. It's more just about concern because if 455 00:22:48,280 --> 00:22:50,720 Speaker 4: you look at the games that we've lost, we've lost 456 00:22:50,800 --> 00:22:54,040 Speaker 4: six games, you can make an argument that five of 457 00:22:54,080 --> 00:22:57,160 Speaker 4: them came down to five plays. All five of those 458 00:22:57,200 --> 00:23:02,600 Speaker 4: plays were wide receivers that dropped the ball or didn't 459 00:23:02,600 --> 00:23:04,959 Speaker 4: make a play on the ball, or just didn't make 460 00:23:05,000 --> 00:23:07,960 Speaker 4: a play. Now that doesn't mean that there aren't other 461 00:23:08,119 --> 00:23:11,320 Speaker 4: factors well, whether it's the offensive lineman or other guys 462 00:23:11,680 --> 00:23:14,800 Speaker 4: not running right route, or Patrick maybe getting too much 463 00:23:14,800 --> 00:23:18,200 Speaker 4: pressure to safe. But it came down to five places. 464 00:23:18,840 --> 00:23:21,960 Speaker 4: And as a former wide receiver, I don't have a 465 00:23:22,040 --> 00:23:24,960 Speaker 4: problem saying that because I know what goes on in 466 00:23:25,000 --> 00:23:27,000 Speaker 4: that meeting room. I know what the mice that is 467 00:23:27,600 --> 00:23:31,119 Speaker 4: of wide receivers at this level, and sometimes you just 468 00:23:31,119 --> 00:23:33,560 Speaker 4: gotta wail it. Like I played with Joe Montana for 469 00:23:33,600 --> 00:23:38,400 Speaker 4: two years and guess what, anytime we didn't do anything 470 00:23:38,440 --> 00:23:40,480 Speaker 4: on offense, it was our fault. It wasn't going to 471 00:23:40,520 --> 00:23:43,760 Speaker 4: be his like, we know we know that going in. 472 00:23:43,880 --> 00:23:45,879 Speaker 4: You know that when you play with a great quarterback, 473 00:23:46,280 --> 00:23:48,960 Speaker 4: usually it's going to be your fault if things don't 474 00:23:49,000 --> 00:23:52,280 Speaker 4: go well. And the wide receivers just haven't really stepped 475 00:23:52,359 --> 00:23:55,959 Speaker 4: up to what I think they should be and taking 476 00:23:56,000 --> 00:24:00,119 Speaker 4: some of this stuff personally, you would think that they 477 00:24:00,160 --> 00:24:03,880 Speaker 4: would amp up their play and it just hasn't been 478 00:24:03,880 --> 00:24:05,200 Speaker 4: able to transpire that way. 479 00:24:05,800 --> 00:24:08,400 Speaker 1: Cheets radio broadcaster Danan Hughes as our guest. I want 480 00:24:08,440 --> 00:24:10,719 Speaker 1: to talk about the O line because for the season, 481 00:24:10,800 --> 00:24:14,159 Speaker 1: the Chiefs are among the NFL leaders in fewer sacks allowed, 482 00:24:14,160 --> 00:24:16,160 Speaker 1: but it was a problem last week against the Raiders 483 00:24:16,240 --> 00:24:19,119 Speaker 1: four sacks, giving up ten quarterback hits. I know the 484 00:24:19,240 --> 00:24:22,000 Speaker 1: left tackles missed a few games with an injury. Was 485 00:24:22,040 --> 00:24:26,040 Speaker 1: that just an outlier game or has the offensive line 486 00:24:26,600 --> 00:24:28,879 Speaker 1: had some chinks in the armor in recent weeks. 487 00:24:30,600 --> 00:24:33,159 Speaker 4: I'd say a mixture. I mean, I think when you 488 00:24:33,320 --> 00:24:38,119 Speaker 4: become a team that is so heavy pass happy, that 489 00:24:38,240 --> 00:24:42,320 Speaker 4: teams can roll the dice on the run game. And 490 00:24:42,400 --> 00:24:45,000 Speaker 4: I understand and you guys probably are the same way 491 00:24:45,080 --> 00:24:47,439 Speaker 4: because when you have the best player on the field, 492 00:24:47,480 --> 00:24:50,040 Speaker 4: whether it's Joe Burrow when he was healthy or obviously 493 00:24:50,080 --> 00:24:53,240 Speaker 4: Patrick Mahomes. Chances are the ball is going to be 494 00:24:53,240 --> 00:24:56,600 Speaker 4: in that person's hands more times than not. So what 495 00:24:56,680 --> 00:24:59,040 Speaker 4: we saw from the Raiders with MaTx Crossey on the 496 00:24:59,080 --> 00:25:03,560 Speaker 4: outside is they just lined up and why techniques and 497 00:25:03,640 --> 00:25:06,359 Speaker 4: basically said, we're going to try to run really fast 498 00:25:06,400 --> 00:25:10,440 Speaker 4: around your tackles and if we don't get home, we're 499 00:25:10,480 --> 00:25:12,960 Speaker 4: going to force Patrick Mahomes to step up into the 500 00:25:13,040 --> 00:25:16,280 Speaker 4: pocket and that's where our big two guys are going 501 00:25:16,320 --> 00:25:18,879 Speaker 4: to be in its safe. They only glitch one time 502 00:25:18,960 --> 00:25:22,760 Speaker 4: in that game, and to me, that's a concern because 503 00:25:22,760 --> 00:25:25,520 Speaker 4: if you're getting you've been around this game a long time. 504 00:25:25,600 --> 00:25:29,359 Speaker 4: If you're getting pressure with four, that makes it truly 505 00:25:29,440 --> 00:25:32,320 Speaker 4: an uphill battle for your offense to have any efficiency, 506 00:25:32,800 --> 00:25:35,600 Speaker 4: and most times, really good defenses. If you look at 507 00:25:35,600 --> 00:25:38,720 Speaker 4: the defenses in the past, whether it's the Ravens, the 508 00:25:39,040 --> 00:25:42,720 Speaker 4: Buccaneers and years in the past, etc. It's usually because 509 00:25:42,800 --> 00:25:45,960 Speaker 4: their front four are doing work so the other seven 510 00:25:46,040 --> 00:25:49,240 Speaker 4: guys can take away all the passing lanes and confuse 511 00:25:49,320 --> 00:25:52,640 Speaker 4: the quarterback. It's not because it's a blitz happy defense. 512 00:25:53,160 --> 00:25:55,960 Speaker 4: So the fact that they were able to get pressure 513 00:25:56,000 --> 00:25:59,000 Speaker 4: and it started immediately I mean we went three and out, 514 00:25:59,119 --> 00:26:02,760 Speaker 4: three and out. He got sacked twice in the first 515 00:26:02,920 --> 00:26:06,960 Speaker 4: two drives and it was just like an onslaught that 516 00:26:07,000 --> 00:26:09,600 Speaker 4: I don't think we were prepared for. And I feel 517 00:26:09,600 --> 00:26:13,600 Speaker 4: like that's kind of a recipe for some headache against 518 00:26:13,720 --> 00:26:16,680 Speaker 4: us coming up. And when you guys, you look at 519 00:26:16,880 --> 00:26:19,600 Speaker 4: your guys on the outside who's done a great job 520 00:26:19,680 --> 00:26:24,800 Speaker 4: Heston and Hubbard in the past, Like I don't see 521 00:26:24,800 --> 00:26:27,720 Speaker 4: why they wouldn't be watching that film last week and saying, hey, 522 00:26:27,720 --> 00:26:29,800 Speaker 4: we can do what MaTx Crosby and those guys did. 523 00:26:30,240 --> 00:26:33,159 Speaker 4: Move around and get up, feel fast, and play with 524 00:26:33,240 --> 00:26:37,280 Speaker 4: that energizer Bunny tied up kind of mentality, and we 525 00:26:37,359 --> 00:26:38,760 Speaker 4: got to be able to fix it. We got to 526 00:26:38,760 --> 00:26:41,120 Speaker 4: be able to fix it immediately because we don't want 527 00:26:41,160 --> 00:26:44,440 Speaker 4: to be in a situation where we have to go 528 00:26:44,520 --> 00:26:47,800 Speaker 4: out to La to beat the Chargers to win the 529 00:26:47,840 --> 00:26:51,200 Speaker 4: AFC West to get to the playoffs, Like it should 530 00:26:51,240 --> 00:26:53,399 Speaker 4: not have to come down to that, and we're hoping 531 00:26:53,440 --> 00:26:54,840 Speaker 4: we can write things this week. 532 00:26:56,119 --> 00:27:00,960 Speaker 8: Defensively, I mean, this unit is playing extremely high level 533 00:27:01,359 --> 00:27:04,359 Speaker 8: number two in points allowed, and that's that's where the 534 00:27:04,440 --> 00:27:07,520 Speaker 8: rubber meets the road right there. But Russo, number two 535 00:27:07,520 --> 00:27:11,600 Speaker 8: in yards allowed, number two in first downs allowed. It 536 00:27:11,320 --> 00:27:14,760 Speaker 8: it's just it's crazy. It's solid across the board. I mean, 537 00:27:15,280 --> 00:27:19,479 Speaker 8: how good is this defensive football team? 538 00:27:19,800 --> 00:27:24,680 Speaker 4: This defense, as far as I'm concerned, going back through history, 539 00:27:24,720 --> 00:27:27,040 Speaker 4: I've been here since nineteen ninety three, I played with 540 00:27:27,119 --> 00:27:32,959 Speaker 4: Derek Thomas, Neil Smith, you know, great defenders, great defensive 541 00:27:33,000 --> 00:27:37,159 Speaker 4: teams back in the nineties, and then the tide turned. 542 00:27:37,200 --> 00:27:40,119 Speaker 4: And then when even when Andy came and Alex Smith 543 00:27:40,200 --> 00:27:43,000 Speaker 4: was our quarterback and then into Patrick Mahomes, it was 544 00:27:43,119 --> 00:27:48,919 Speaker 4: always about the offense this year, Like, this defense is 545 00:27:48,960 --> 00:27:52,120 Speaker 4: for real. And if our offense would have played up 546 00:27:52,160 --> 00:27:55,320 Speaker 4: to anyway near the potential that they really have, or 547 00:27:55,480 --> 00:27:59,400 Speaker 4: up the last year's production, like we'd be sitting here 548 00:27:59,480 --> 00:28:03,080 Speaker 4: at you know, possibly with one loss on the season. 549 00:28:03,800 --> 00:28:07,000 Speaker 4: So this defense is for real. The fact that they 550 00:28:07,000 --> 00:28:12,399 Speaker 4: didn't allow a completed pass after the first quarter against 551 00:28:12,440 --> 00:28:16,280 Speaker 4: the Raiders, like we only gave up eight points defensively 552 00:28:16,359 --> 00:28:20,359 Speaker 4: in that game, that tells you something about this team. 553 00:28:20,440 --> 00:28:24,040 Speaker 4: So yeah, this defense is doing everything they could possibly 554 00:28:24,160 --> 00:28:29,840 Speaker 4: do to help this team win games. And quite honestly, 555 00:28:29,880 --> 00:28:31,879 Speaker 4: I would have never thought if you'd have called me 556 00:28:31,920 --> 00:28:34,399 Speaker 4: back in September and said, Dan, you know what, you 557 00:28:34,440 --> 00:28:37,000 Speaker 4: guys are going to have nine wins, and you can 558 00:28:37,200 --> 00:28:41,000 Speaker 4: argue that the defense is truly responsible for about six 559 00:28:41,040 --> 00:28:43,720 Speaker 4: of them. I would have said, you're crazy. I would 560 00:28:43,760 --> 00:28:47,000 Speaker 4: have actually drug tested. I said, no way, Patrick Mahomes and 561 00:28:47,080 --> 00:28:49,520 Speaker 4: Travis Kelsey would allow that to happen. And lo and 562 00:28:49,560 --> 00:28:54,560 Speaker 4: behold as we go into Week sixteen, that's literally what's happened. 563 00:28:54,600 --> 00:28:56,560 Speaker 4: The best quarterback in the league, the best tight end 564 00:28:56,560 --> 00:29:00,240 Speaker 4: of the league, playing back seat to this defense because 565 00:29:00,240 --> 00:29:04,520 Speaker 4: we're playing what I would think. The Ravens may argue it, 566 00:29:04,800 --> 00:29:07,400 Speaker 4: and they have a justified argument, but I say, as 567 00:29:07,400 --> 00:29:11,040 Speaker 4: far as team consistent defense, we're playing as good as 568 00:29:11,040 --> 00:29:13,560 Speaker 4: anybody or better than anybody in the NFL. 569 00:29:13,720 --> 00:29:17,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, Danny. My final question has to do with a 570 00:29:17,280 --> 00:29:22,120 Speaker 1: member of that defense, Lagerius Sneid. Our offensive coordinator Brian 571 00:29:22,160 --> 00:29:25,360 Speaker 1: Callahan was raving about him earlier today. I know he 572 00:29:25,400 --> 00:29:28,840 Speaker 1: didn't practice due to injury. How good has Sneid been 573 00:29:29,480 --> 00:29:31,600 Speaker 1: and is there a chance he will not be able 574 00:29:31,640 --> 00:29:33,200 Speaker 1: to answer the bell on Sunday. 575 00:29:35,480 --> 00:29:38,560 Speaker 4: I think it's going to be extremely, extremely tough to 576 00:29:38,600 --> 00:29:41,360 Speaker 4: believe that he would not show up and be ready 577 00:29:41,400 --> 00:29:45,080 Speaker 4: to play on Sunday against the Bengals, especially with everything 578 00:29:45,440 --> 00:29:47,760 Speaker 4: that is on the line, and it kind of brings 579 00:29:47,800 --> 00:29:51,880 Speaker 4: you to that the disappointment factor of when you have 580 00:29:52,080 --> 00:29:55,600 Speaker 4: these guys like Isaiah Pacheco on offense, the Lagarius Snead 581 00:29:55,680 --> 00:29:59,840 Speaker 4: on defense that have been nicked up. Nick Bolton is 582 00:30:00,080 --> 00:30:03,200 Speaker 4: well still battling back from that risk injury. Had you 583 00:30:03,360 --> 00:30:05,800 Speaker 4: won some of those games earlier this season that you 584 00:30:05,840 --> 00:30:09,640 Speaker 4: should have one score game, got the ball late with 585 00:30:09,720 --> 00:30:12,560 Speaker 4: an opportunity to win, whether it was the Detroit Lions 586 00:30:12,640 --> 00:30:15,600 Speaker 4: up front, or even going back to that Eagles game 587 00:30:16,160 --> 00:30:19,480 Speaker 4: and the Buffalo Bills game, you might have an opportunity 588 00:30:19,520 --> 00:30:21,600 Speaker 4: to be able to bench these guys and say rest 589 00:30:21,680 --> 00:30:25,560 Speaker 4: up for the playoffs. Well, you don't have that luxury anymore. 590 00:30:25,360 --> 00:30:28,960 Speaker 4: We're not necessarily fighting for a number one seed. We're 591 00:30:29,000 --> 00:30:33,320 Speaker 4: fighting for playoff positioning and playoff existence. So I feel 592 00:30:33,320 --> 00:30:36,400 Speaker 4: like Lajarius Neeed definitely will be out on the field now. 593 00:30:36,800 --> 00:30:39,800 Speaker 4: As far as his play, I got played with Dale 594 00:30:39,840 --> 00:30:43,640 Speaker 4: Carter and James Hasty, Albert Lewis, I mean, like some 595 00:30:43,720 --> 00:30:48,000 Speaker 4: great Chiefs corners that were locked down corners on one 596 00:30:48,040 --> 00:30:50,200 Speaker 4: side of the field, and Lagarious Steed. The fact that 597 00:30:50,240 --> 00:30:53,920 Speaker 4: he's able to do what he does against every number 598 00:30:53,960 --> 00:30:58,520 Speaker 4: one receiver AJ Brown, Davonte Adams play. I mean, you 599 00:30:58,600 --> 00:31:01,320 Speaker 4: go throughout the list of the receivers that he's played 600 00:31:01,840 --> 00:31:05,160 Speaker 4: this season and shut them down on either side of 601 00:31:05,160 --> 00:31:09,600 Speaker 4: the field. He's traveling with guys old school shows you 602 00:31:09,680 --> 00:31:13,200 Speaker 4: how impressive he's been as a defensive back, and then 603 00:31:13,320 --> 00:31:16,760 Speaker 4: his presence in the backfield on blitzes as well as 604 00:31:16,800 --> 00:31:19,480 Speaker 4: like a nickel corner, like he's doing everything for this 605 00:31:19,600 --> 00:31:24,040 Speaker 4: defense between he and Trent McDuffie has been extremely impressive. 606 00:31:24,680 --> 00:31:27,200 Speaker 4: I'm looking forward to the matchup. You guys will probably 607 00:31:27,840 --> 00:31:32,480 Speaker 4: have the top tandem receivers that will face this year 608 00:31:32,640 --> 00:31:35,680 Speaker 4: and their hands will be full. But if it's any 609 00:31:35,680 --> 00:31:39,000 Speaker 4: indication of what we've seen from him this season, he's 610 00:31:39,040 --> 00:31:40,440 Speaker 4: gonna be ready for the challenge. 611 00:31:41,800 --> 00:31:44,960 Speaker 8: Final question, Thanks for taking all the time you've taken 612 00:31:45,000 --> 00:31:48,520 Speaker 8: with us. You've been unbelievable. And my question is, well, 613 00:31:49,800 --> 00:31:52,800 Speaker 8: do you think there's any chance that we'll see Taylor 614 00:31:52,800 --> 00:31:54,360 Speaker 8: Swift in the press box elevator? 615 00:31:57,160 --> 00:32:00,000 Speaker 4: There as the possibility she was at the last home 616 00:32:00,120 --> 00:32:02,960 Speaker 4: game she's been out to I say several of the 617 00:32:03,000 --> 00:32:04,720 Speaker 4: games back then when we went up to New York 618 00:32:04,720 --> 00:32:08,280 Speaker 4: in October Chicago when we played at home, so she's 619 00:32:08,360 --> 00:32:12,360 Speaker 4: she's made our presence here from several games and with 620 00:32:12,480 --> 00:32:16,240 Speaker 4: the holidays here, I can't imagine why she wouldn't be there. 621 00:32:16,320 --> 00:32:19,160 Speaker 4: So we'll see that. You know, there's been in the 622 00:32:19,280 --> 00:32:21,360 Speaker 4: earlier in the season. If you remember when she was 623 00:32:21,400 --> 00:32:24,680 Speaker 4: around travit had great games, we were winning football games. 624 00:32:24,880 --> 00:32:27,320 Speaker 4: Then the tide has turned a little bit where it 625 00:32:27,360 --> 00:32:30,080 Speaker 4: hasn't been the same. So I don't know if they're 626 00:32:30,160 --> 00:32:33,800 Speaker 4: superstitious or not, but I'm not superstitious at all. So 627 00:32:33,880 --> 00:32:35,959 Speaker 4: I'll welcome her in the stadium. It gives us an 628 00:32:35,960 --> 00:32:39,000 Speaker 4: extra boost with the fan base and it's got to 629 00:32:39,040 --> 00:32:41,920 Speaker 4: all be about to win first though, thanks to. 630 00:32:41,960 --> 00:32:43,600 Speaker 1: David Hughes, and that's going to do it for this 631 00:32:43,680 --> 00:32:45,960 Speaker 1: episode of The Bengals Booth Podcast, brought to you by 632 00:32:46,040 --> 00:32:49,440 Speaker 1: pay Corps. 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