As the weeks pass, the challenges only rise even higher for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Maybe that's why Josh Allen and the top-seeded Buffalo Bills coming to town is only fitting for the final Monday Night Football matchup of the year. Allen, who was the preseason favorite for MVP entering this season, is still in the mix for potentially beating out Patrick Mahomes and Joe Burrow depending on how Monday night goes.
The Bills will bring a six-game win streak to Cincinnati while the Bengals will look to tie a franchise-record with their eighth straight victory. Buffalo brings a top-ten offense, and a top-ten defense that will keep the Bengals' hands full. Allen has proven to be a challenging quarterback to defend, tackle and confuse for most defenses he's faced this season.
Even more challenging? Trying to keep Allen from hitting one of the best receivers in the league: Stefon Diggs. Although Diggs has been quiet for the last three weeks, he's still shown why he's one of the league's most elite receivers. But just how elite will he be against the Bengals?
Furthermore, will the Bengals' defense shut down the hype and quiet down the Bills' offense? If they do that, it will require making sure the game isn't quite a tale of two halves like each of the last two weeks have been.
Jay Morrison of the The Athletic joins the Strictly Stripes Podcast crew to talk about how much the hype for this game compares and contrasts to other Monday Night Football games the Bengals have played in franchise history. He also dissects what makes Allen so good and how the Bengals can achieve success against him. The Strictly Stripes crew talks more about what defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo has to draw up to keep up the streak he's had since the bye week.
This podcast features Mohammad Ahmad, Michael Niziolek and special guest Jay Morrison.
Music: Starfields by Hallman
Music Link: https://www.epidemicsound.com/track/nQ9ldbVF7D/
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