Time to BUY Joe Burrow and Bengals as REAL Playoff Contenders? | Enter The Jungle

Time to BUY Joe Burrow and Bengals as REAL Playoff Contenders? | Enter The Jungle

Is it time to buy stock into Joe Burrow and the Bengals? They’re just two games out in the North. We’ll break it down and much, much more right now on Enter the Jungle. [Music] Hi again everyone and welcome in to Enter the Jungle. I’m James Rafine. He’s Andrew Fox Miller. Catch us every single Tuesday on the YouTube channel Cincinnati Bengals. Talk weekly on FanDuel Sports Network and we’re brought to you by FanDuel. Make sure you check out FanDuel today at fandal.com/bigplay. Also, the weather, it’s chilly. You’re watching football. It’s football weather. Well, of course, garage beer is the perfect pairing all winter long. And let’s dive in, Andrew, because the Bengals somehow someway. It’s December. There’s snow on the ground in Cincinnati. And playoffs. You want to talk about playoffs? Playoffs. We’re talking about playoffs. The Bengals are only two games back despite being 4 and8. They’re in the hunt. Joe Burrow’s back and suddenly, whether we like it or not, and I think a lot of our viewers and listeners probably like it, we are talking about playoffs. This is I don’t know. I don’t even know where to begin with it. First of all, first of all, why why do we do this? Just feels so much like last year. Like we’re here we are. We’re in it. It’s a meaningful football. We always try to be thankful for that. Speaking of thankful, this all happened, as we all know, on Thanksgiving, I don’t know about anyone else, but for me, it felt like a big fever dream. You’re like in a food coma. You know, you had a few drinks, some garage beers, some wine perhaps, a nice little bourbon after dinner, and then this is happening. Playoffs. I never said this out loud, but I was thinking it, and I’m glad I just remembered it now. The thought that went into my head was when I was watching that game, it was like there were two timelines. One where Burrow doesn’t get hurt and plays the entirety of the 2025 season and then what we have right now that we’ve all experienced. And this felt like a game that would have just happened in that other timeline regardless. It felt like a different team, a different trajectory as if you know the the past games leading up to it weren’t real. It was I don’t know. For me, it was a surreal experience. I get it. I do because one, and we’ll get to it a little bit later, but clearly Joe Burrow matters. Two, they go on the road, they beat the Ravens, and then they get the help they need Sunday. And that was sort of expected last week on this show, which I’m not going to pretend I’m some expert, but what did I say when the Bengals were plus 4,000? These are probably the best odds if the Bengals go on a run that you’re going to get for quite some time. Guess what? They beat the Ravens and then the Bills beat the Steelers and so they get the help they need. And you’re right, the the what if component is such a big one for me and there there are a lot of whatifs and we can dive into those. But the one I was thinking about this, the only time in my career that I’ve ever said, bring this guy back from injury in any guy, any player, and I’ve covered a lot of them. I’ve covered uh the Cavaliers, the the Guardians, uh multiple different teams in different cities, not just Reds, Bengals, Bearcats, and I’ve never been in the position where I was like, “That guy should play today.” And I was that way about Joe Burrow in that New England game because of the fever dream element of it. If you’re going to give him a chance, give him a real chance. And so as in it as they are, and we’re going to take a look at it coming up, as in it as they are right now, and I do think they’re in it, can you imagine what if Joe Burrow and the Bengals had won two straight and he had beat the Patriots and then beat the Ravens in in a 5day stretch, they go from three and seven to five and seven. Like it would feel even crazier right now. And he didn’t get that opportunity. So that’s the big what if for me. There’s plenty of others this season for sure, but that one I’m like, man, he was ready to go play them. They didn’t. And uh and yet still they’re they’re in it. But yeah, when I when I think about where the Bengals are and how they’re still in it, I also think, well, what if they had done this or that or this had happened and a big one for me is playing Joe Burrow against the Patriots. It’s Burrow. It’s the defense. And yes, there is some component of that game where the Ravens were just turnover machines. It that that’s part of it. But you had a lot of force turnovers and credit to the defense for for capitalizing on it and credit to the offense and Joe Burrow of course for capitalizing on it. But it was sort of when I talk about different timelines and all of a sudden I stepped in a different one. It was seeing Burough on the screen doing what he does especially in that second half doing what he does best and a defense that kind of was where I was expecting them to be. if not the beginning of the season, certainly in the month of September at the latest October. So, a little bit of a catch-up experience to see that happening in real time on Thanksgiving night. But man, the what if for me, you’re right, it’s Burrow, of course, but it’s the defense. It’s just a stop. The Jets game. We keep saying it the Bears, man. Can you imagine? Just I’m not even I wasn’t I’m not asking for much in hindsight. I’m not asking for much. It could have been that same defense just just a little just a little bit more a few more tackles. Yeah. The the the other one and I really wish talk about a game you’d love to have bro. Obviously you’d love to have bro all season long. By the way, he’s won eight straight starts dating back to last year. Tied for Andy Dalton tied with 2015 Andy Dalton when they started 8 and0 uh for the franchise record consecutive uh wins in starts. So he’ll try to break the record on Sunday in Buffalo and we’ll get to that game. But that Pittsburgh game, like the Steelers have lost three of four. Their lone win is against the Bengals. The Steelers stink. Like they stink. Like let’s be honest here. They have a good defensive front. They do. TJ Watt hasn’t played as well, but they have a good defensive front. They have a lot of dudes. It’s not just Cam Hayward and TJ Watt. A lot of guys outside of that. Like Jaylen Ramsay stinks. Washed. Aaron Rodgers playing awful. Outside of DK Metaf, Aaron Rogers just can’t throw to guys my height, I guess. I don’t know. I, you know, I think Calvin Austin’s an okay receiver, but it’s not working. Like, that offense stinks. They stink. And uh and who knows, maybe they turn it around, but I I don’t I don’t think so. And and if they do win the division, they’re going to lose in the first round because that’s what happens. And so, I look at that game and I’m like, man, the Steelers just aren’t good. And if you had Joe Burrow for that game, I know it wouldn’t have went the way that it did go. That’s fair. All that said, I guess we’ll focus on what we we aim at in this segment, James, which is are you buying stock in this playoff run or do you need to see more from this team at this stage? I can’t buy stock yet. I need to see them go on the road and and that that is the big question. Like they have a chance. I acknowledge that and I do think it’s a realistic chance. Yeah. But if you’re going to buy stock Yeah. If you’re going to buy stock in the Bengals, what they need to do and and really like for our planning purposes, this is how I’ll gauge it. I have no plans to be covering a playoff game as of now. None. Zero. If they beat the Bills in Buffalo, come home and beat the Ravens. Oh, we’re gonna be playing in it, my man. And like that. So, so that’s it. Like that’s my mindset. If you handle business in Buffalo, you come back and you handle the Ravens and you sweep the Ravens. Well, now you’re in business. Your playoff chances regardless of what else happens goes from right now it’s anywhere from 6 to 9% where you you look at these different calculators. it would be in the 33 percentish range depending on where you look. Like that’s where it changes. That’s where it vaults to. So yes, I will I’m willing to buy stock but not yet. Go on a winning streak here. Win the next two. So there’s your measuring stick. There’s your barometer. It’s the James booking flight watch. Too bad we don’t have like a a booking site or agent as a sponsor for Enter the Jungle. It’ll be James James booking flight watch sponsored by Garage Beer. Brought to you by Garage Beer. I don’t know. I I’m with you. I’m I’m nibbling nibbling at the upside. James picking a a few a few shares when we talk about playoffs and postseason, but my main position is still the long shot the long shot market. We’ll just keep talking in stock terms here. And I’m not like I’m not what is it? I’m not ready to reallocate my portfolio just yet, you know, like I’ve small position playoff sack. I don’t know if I don’t know if this is the correct use of this. I’m workshopping it here. Look at me. But look, I’m I’m sure most viewers, listeners feel the same way I do. Like the Bengals defense was impressive, but it’s one game. Can they repeat it? Because if they can repeat it, especially if they build upon week 13, then there’s more confidence in in in this team in in them sustaining it moving forward. You beat Buffalo, you beat Baltimore. Again, I think most of us are buying at that point, no doubt. Yeah. And and and that’s it is prove it to me. Right now, I’m spending more time thinking about the whatifs still, than I am playoff matchups. That won’t change from that. Exactly. That won’t be the case in a in a couple of weeks if they handle business. Will they handle business? Well, we’ll take a look at the Bengals upcoming schedule. We’ll also take a look at the Steelers and the Ravens. Do the Bengals have the easiest schedule remaining in the AFC North as they try to win the division? We’ll dive into that and much, much more coming up next. Welcome back to Enter the Jungle. He’s Andrew Fox Miller. I’m James Rene. And the Bengals, well, it’s no secret they have the Bills this week in Buffalo. It’s going to be a tough matchup. The Bengals have to go into Buffalo, get a win to keep realistic playoff chances alive. But let’s take a look at the remaining schedules in the AFC North, Andrew, because the 4 and8 Bengals only two games back in the North. They play the Bills and Ravens, then they go to Miami, then they finish with Arizona and Cleveland at home. The Steelers and Ravens play this week and then the Steelers play the Dolphins. Then they go on the road to Detroit on the road to Cleveland and then wrap up the season with a home matchup against the Baltimore Ravens. The Ravens play the Steelers this week. Then they’re in Cincinnati to play the Bengals. Then they have three, I think, tough games week 16 through 18. The Patriots at home, at Green Bay, at Lambo, at Pittsburgh, at Acroer Stadium. When you look at those schedules, do you think that the Bengals have the the easiest schedule of these three teams in their quest to win the AFC North? I think certainly if the Ravens are the team that we saw face the Bengals in week 13 and the Bills are the team that we’ve been seeing, not that they’re terrible, but there’s there’s weaknesses to exploit. There’s deficiencies. Can you stop the run game? I think that they do have the easier schedule considering what needs to happen, especially for the Bengals to be in a position to win the division, the FC North. Let me let me phrase it this way. Of course, your thoughts, but talking about in the last segment, we talked about which one we were, you know, if we’re buying stock in the postseason and them making the playoffs. Which of these two outcomes do you buy stock in? You can only pick one. One, Bengals win all of their remaining five games. or two, Baltimore loses, what is it, one game and Pittsburgh loses two games, which is what I believe Cincinnati needs in order to win the division. Which of those two things is the most likely if only one were to happen? The Ravens and Steelers losing. They’re going to lose. That that that’s it. That’s why it’s different than last year. I know it feels a lot like last year. The Bengals needed like like 82 things to go their way last year and it was like this team and that team and this tiebreaker and that tiebreaker. All they need this time is the the crappy Steelers to lose two games. They play the Ravens twice and the Lions. And who knows? Like, are we sure they they’re going to go into Cleveland and win with with Miles Garrett chasing the sack record? Like, we don’t know that. We don’t The Dolphins are playing a little bit better, but I don’t think they have a chance to beat the Steelers in in Pittsburgh to cold weather, too. It’s probably not going to travel well. But I think the Steelers lose two of those games. Maybe they lose the two to the Ravens, right? And so if that’s the case, then if you’re the Bengals, you need to beat Baltimore anyway. And then are they going to beat New England and Green Bay? They probably win one of those. Maybe they do win both. Maybe that’s it. Maybe the Ravens just win out. But the Ravens team I’ve seen to this point is is not that and they are flawed and something is wrong. And that’s why like I I look at this and I I think nine and eight certainly does win the division and there’s an outside chance that 89 wins the division and maybe that isn’t the Bengals. Maybe it isn’t but these teams are really flawed. I think the Steelers are the worst of the three which is how I felt coming into the year. I think the Joe Burrow led Bengals have the highest ceiling. If you look at these three teams from a playoff standpoint, I think the Ravens, and there’s a reason why, we’ll take a look at the odds coming up. There’s a reason why they’re still the favorite in the AFC North. I think they’re the safest bet to win the division. So, if I was banking on a team making a deep playoff run, it would be the Bengals out of the this this division. I think the Steelers are clearly third, and I think the Ravens are the safest bet to win it. What about you? Answer your own question. What do you think is more likely? the Bengals win out or the Ravens and Steelers lose two of their remaining five games. I think I’m in agreement with you. I just I just I’m going to keep saying it. I just need a a Bills win for confidence and then I’m I’m all in. I like it. It’s going to be that Ravens game. If they win on Sunday, this that Ravens game is going to be crazy. Beating the Ravens is critical regardless. Even if they lose to the Bills, it’s still critical. Essential. No doubt. No doubt. They’re all but eliminated if obviously if they don’t beat Baltimore. But yeah, this this Bills game is it it’s that it’s it’s it to me like you win this confidently. I I’m I’m I’m all in on Bengals winning out. I I just I really am. Yeah, I get it. I do. And I still wonder why didn’t you bring Joe back against New England? Oh, wait. We got Oh, I got words to say about that. That’s a later segment. Oh, wait till you hear what I have to say about that, James. About Joe being back against New England. Oh, yeah. There’s I I you’ll see. Oh. Oh, okay. All right. Well, we’ll get to that coming up. But up next, it is time for the odds. They’ve shifted in a big way since the Bengals won on Thanksgiving. We’ll do that coming up next. Welcome back to Enter the Jungle. He’s Andrew Fox Miller. I’m James Renee and it is time to dive into the odds. And they’ve shifted. Boy oh boy, have they shifted. Andrew Fox Miller. The division odds for the Bengals went from plus, 1100 to plus 3,300 after they lost to the Steelers a few weeks ago. They were at plus4,000 after their loss to the Patriots. Everyone knew Joe Burrow was coming back for the Ravens. They were at plus 4,000. Well, guess what? Joe Burrow comes back. They beat the Ravens. The Bills beat the Steelers. The Bengals are two games back. And now suddenly they are at plus 850 according to FanDuel. We’re going to get into this week’s odds uh as far as the game goes against the Bills coming up in just a second. But today’s show is brought to you by FanDuel. And the NFL moves fast. One big play, everything changes. We know that. And that’s why FanDuel is a game changer. With FanDuel, you can bet in real time while a game unfolds. Score just flipped. Well, jump on the new spread or live money line. Division odds, obviously, they can flip. And that’s where FanDuel comes in. If you go to FanDuel.com/bigplay to download the app, bet NFL live. All season long, FanDuel puts you right in the middle of every moment. Just a reminder, you must be 21 plus and present in select states. For Kansas and affiliation with Kansas Star Casino or 18 plus and present in DC, Kentucky or Wyoming gambling problem, call 1800gambler or visit rghel.com. Call 1888789-777 or visit ccpg.org/hat in Connecticut or visit mdgamblinghelp.org in Maryland. Hope is here. Visit gamblinghellinem.org.org or or call 80032750550 for 247 support Massachusetts or call 18778 hopey or text hopey in New York paid endorsement. Let’s let’s dive in here, Andrew, because I I think one, anytime Joe Burrow is an underdog, I take note. And he’s an underdog again this week, minus 5 a half. And that means that the Bills are favored minus 5 and a half by five and a half points against the Bengals. And uh anytime that’s the case, it was the case last week. It was around seven, six and a half, seven points throughout the week before that Baltimore game, I take note here. Is this too many? Is this not enough? What do you think about the Bills being five and a half point favorites over the Bengals? Yeah, the five and a half points is the interesting component to all this. I mean, we we you kind of covered the division piece, but the the spread here for this game, it’s like it’s obvious that these odds makers aren’t looking to really stick their neck out on this one just yet. I think that’s kind of my take on this. I have I like I have to think this sort of shifts a bit depending on whatever actions taking place on the line or injury updates, what have you. But ultimately, like if Cincinnati’s defense can find a solution for containing James Cook, Buffalo’s ground game, I think this is a win for the Bengals. So regardless, yeah, I think I’m doing Bengals by a score, at least if that happens. Yeah, I I get it. I I think that’s such a huge factor here. I think James Cook is someone I’m going to talk about throughout the week here on Cincinnati Bengals talk. I’m going to obviously discuss Josh Allen, who’s arguably the best quarterback in football. I also think the T. Igggins injury plays a huge role. Trey Hendrickson will cover that on Cincinnati Bengals talk as well. He’s doubtful for this game. Uh but look, Miles Murphy stepped up. Uh Joseph Osai stepped up and and if those guys continue to play at that level with the way this Bengals secondary has responded in recent weeks, they’re going to have a shot to go into Buffalo and win with Joe Bar at quarterback. Will it happen? I’m not sure, but they’re certainly going to have a shot. And it’s something we’re going to have you covered all week long here on Cincinnati Bengals Talk. And up next, Andrew, something I never ever ever ever never ever want to hear or do again on this show or on anything any platform I have. We’ll dive into that coming up next. Joe Burrow is back and so are the Bengals. Welcome back into Enter the Jungle. He’s Andrew Fox Miller. I’m James. All right, Andrew. The thing I never ever never ever ever ever never ever ever and I get it. I’m saying never ever 52 times want to hear. I should say it nine times. Never ever pretend that Joe Burrow doesn’t matter to the Bengals. I don’t want to hear well the offense isn’t the problem or the defense is this or the head coach is that or the front office is that or the owner is that. Joe Burrow matters in a snowstorm in a blizzard in a tornado. It doesn’t matter what the case is. Joe Burrow is going to matter and and he showed it on Thanksgiving and I really don’t care what happens in Buffalo. Guess what? He’s going to matter because he’s Joe Burrow. And hopefully the the case is closed on and I know it’s not on the idiots quite frankly that pretended that Joe Burrow didn’t matter. Okay. All right. One, five. Push back. Go ahead. Two. I just have to say go ahead. I was reviewing the rundown you sent me for today, James. We were very well prepared this week as far as getting that rundown in in front of ourselves before this. I saw this segment and I immediately thought to myself, this is a James segment if I’ve ever seen one. Like, oh flex, I was right. I told you Joe Burrow wears a cape. He’s Superman. I’m James. You can’t cover me. You can’t guard me. Lifting gains. James Rupine segment. Not only that, but like this being our final segment of the show this week, I can’t help but compare it to a segment we did two weeks ago, which was about the 2026 NFL draft and where the Bengals were projected to pick. I made it clear I didn’t like that. So, I guess I’ll guess I’ll settle for a burrow glazing segment that you you propped in here. I believe they’re I believe they’re scheduled to pick 10th right now. That’s what I saw, too. Yeah. Okay. So, 10th. So, still still a top 10 pick and also in the hunt. That’s the best place to be, baby. That’s the best place to be. But this segment is the best place to be. Are you kidding me? That’s what I never want to hear again. That Joe Burrow doesn’t matter to the Cincinnati Bengals. Like it’s like people forgot what it was like before he got here. Get out of here, man. Get out of here. I’m just It’s It’s just unbelievable. It is. It It’s We I’m taking crazy pills. Oh, Joe Burrow matters. Like, I said Joe Burrow matters and people are like, “No, he doesn’t.” What? What? What? I mean, that’s so dumb. Like, that’s that’s the craziest thing. Now, they may lose by 50 to the Bills. I don’t care. Joe Bro still matters. Doesn’t matter. I’m not going to defend him. I’m not going to defend them, but I will say I’m just going to say facts. Flacco, there was a period of time where he was playing well and the defense didn’t look like they could stop anybody. What are you going to do? And I think that’s where that’s coming from. It doesn’t matter. It’s I know. I’m telling you where it’s coming from. Like, yeah, Michael Jordan doesn’t matter cuz the Bulls aren’t playing defense and Dennis Robin is in Vegas. Like, you know how stupid that sounds? That’s how stupid it sounds. Hopefully hopefully I got my point across. He’s Andrew Fox Miller. I’m James Orin. We appreciate you each and every week listening watching us right here on Enter the Jungle. Until next time, Joe Burrow matters. Thank you so much for watching and listening to Enter the Jungle. Did you see the uh Jamar Chase miked up? Not yet. This is how I would rest Joe. You know what? Hell yeah. He’s running down with Burrow. I said, man, go get me a coat. We know you only like Burrow. It’s all right. We understand he’s royalty, bro. Borrow every time, but not everybody else. I said I said I know Bur royalty. Yeah. You give to Dre. Let Dre be the special person today. Even though we know Borro is your is your royalty, man. He’s honor. Not us, bro. He’s priority. He’s priority. He said there’s a higher so good. It’s so good. That is my humor. Like, you know, like if I was teammates with Joe Burrow, you know, I’d be saying that all the time. Oh, everybody watch out. Joe’s coming. So basically how I am with you like everybody look out James is walking in the room.

The Cincinnati Bengals are just two games back in the AFC North… so is it time to buy stock in a late playoff push, or do they still need to prove it? We break down Cincinnati’s path, the biggest What Ifs of the season, and why you should never doubt Joe Burrow’s impact on this franchise ever again!

James Rapien and Andrew Fox Miller also look at the latest AFC North odds and discuss the Bengals chances of pulling off the upset Sunday against the Buffalo Bills!

00:00 Bengals only two games back in AFC North…
09:44 Who has the easiest remaining schedule?
14:50 Bengals vs. Bills FanDuel Odds of the week
18:49 Never doubt Joe Burrow again
22:00 Ja’Marr Chase Mic’d Up Reaction – Extra Clip

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