The Stone Shields Show

Hunter Greene Shelled As Reds Drop Game 1 To Dodgers, Stone's Top 10 Teams In CFB, Browns Bench Flacco For Gabriel

On today's edition of The Stone Shields Show we discuss the Reds 10-5 defeat against the Dodgers in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card, turn the page to Zack Littel getting the start tonight, Stone breaks down his top 10 teams in college football, Browns bench Joe Flacco for Dillon Gabriel.
Off The Bench is back weekdays from 10a to 11a followed by The Stone Shields Show from 11a to noon!
In a stunning display of postseason firepower, the Cincinnati Reds' long-awaited return to October ended abruptly with a 10-5 thrashing by the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series on September 30 at Dodger Stadium. For the Reds, who clawed their way into the playoffs for the first time since 2020, the night served as a harsh reminder of the chasm between scrappy upstarts and a loaded powerhouse. A raucous crowd of 50,555 watched as L.A. unleashed five home runs, turning ace Hunter Greene's start into a nightmare.
Greene, the Reds' flame-throwing righty and a lifelong Dodgers fan, entered with sky-high expectations. But the Dodgers pounced immediately. Facing a 100.4 mph fastball, Shohei Ohtani crushed a 117.7 mph line drive for a solo homer to right, igniting the fuse. Mookie Betts singled, and the floodgates opened: Teoscar Hernández blasted a three-run shot, followed by homers from Will Smith and Max Muncy. Greene's line was brutal—five runs, three homers, six hits over four innings on 65 pitches. "He didn't locate, and when he didn't, he paid a price," lamented manager Terry Francona.
The Dodgers' onslaught continued behind Blake Snell's masterful seven innings, fanning nine while allowing just two runs. Ohtani added a 454-foot two-run bomb off reliever Connor Phillips in the sixth, his second of the night, as L.A. built a 10-2 cushion by the seventh. The Dodgers became only the fifth team with two multi-homer players in a playoff game, per MLB stats.
Cincinnati flickered late, capitalizing on a Dodgers bullpen wobble in the eighth. Relievers Alex Vesia, Edgardo Henriquez, and Jack Dreyer issued four walks, allowing the Reds to bat around and plate three runs via a Spencer Steer single and forced errors. Elly De La Cruz's RBI groundout and Tyler Stephenson's double offered brief hope, but it was too little, too late. The Reds stranded seven runners, their offense mustering seven hits but zero long balls.
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Bengals Get Blown Out Again, NFL Week 5 Power Rankings, MLB Postseason Predictions, Reds vs. Dodgers Game 1

On today's edition of The Stone Shields Show we discuss the Bengals embarassing MNF performance vs. the Denver Broncos, Stone breaks down his NFL Power Rankings going into Week 5, MLB postseason predictions and Reds vs. Dodgers Game 1 discussion.
Off The Bench is back weekdays from 10a to 11a followed by The Stone Shields Show from 11a to noon!
Last night's "Monday Night Football" showdown at Empower Field at Mile High turned into a nightmare for the Cincinnati Bengals, who fell flat in a humiliating 28-3 drubbing by the Denver Broncos. Entering Week 4 at 2-1, the Bengals were riding high after gritty wins over the Browns and Jaguars, but the absence of star quarterback Joe Burrow—sidelined by a Grade 3 turf toe injury—exposed their vulnerabilities like never before. Backup Jake Browning, thrust into the spotlight, managed a dismal 14-of-25 for just 105 yards, with zero touchdowns and the offense mustering a pathetic 159 total yards. It was a symphony of miscues: penalties stalled drives, the line crumbled under pressure, and the defense, once a Bengals hallmark, leaked like a sieve.
The Broncos, meanwhile, feasted. Rookie sensation Bo Nix orchestrated a masterclass, completing 29 of 42 passes for 326 yards, two aerial scores, and adding a rushing touchdown to cap his MVP-worthy night. Running back J.K. Dobbins bulldozed for 101 yards—the first 100-yard rusher under coach Sean Payton—while receiver R.J. Harvey snagged a 12-yard touchdown to seal the rout. Denver's opportunistic play turned Bengals turnovers into points, improving the Broncos to 2-2 and injecting life into a franchise starved for prime-time joy. For Cincinnati, now 2-2, the loss stings in a wide-open AFC North, with a daunting Lions matchup looming on Oct. 5. Burrow's return can't come soon enough; without him, the Who-Dey faithful are left questioning if this team's championship window is slamming shut.
Shifting gears to baseball, Cincinnati sports fans get a shot at catharsis tonight as the Reds clash with the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series at Dodger Stadium (9:08 p.m. ET, ESPN). The Reds (83-79) stormed into October on the regular season's final day, edging the Mets in a payroll-punishing thriller—their first playoff dance since 2020. Riding momentum, they're underdogs at +167 odds, but sparkplug shortstop Elly De La Cruz (22 HRs, 86 RBIs) could be the X-factor, his speed and flair a nightmare for LA's stars like Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman (.295 BA, scorching lately).
On the hill, Reds ace Hunter Greene faces Dodgers lefty Blake Snell in a pitcher's duel, with the over/under at 7.5. LA (93-69), the defending champs with a half-billion-dollar payroll, dominated the season series 30-15 but swept Cincy at home last month. Still, the Reds' sneaky bullpen edge and 30-year-old ghosts of their 1995 NLDS sweep over LA fuel upset dreams. A Reds win tonight? It'd be the ultimate salve for Bengals wounds, proving Cincinnati's stripes run deeper than one bad night. Buckle up—October magic awaits.
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Cincinnati Reds CLINCH Postseason Will Face Dodgers, Bengals vs. Broncos Monday Night Football Preview

On today's edition of The Stone Shields Show we discuss the Reds clinching a playoff spot after winning the final series of the year vs. the Milwaukee Brewers, preview Monday Night Football Bengals vs. Broncos, discuss the Ryder Cup loss for the United States, and the Ravens 1-3 record to start the season.
Off The Bench is back weekdays from 10a to 11a followed by The Stone Shields Show from 11a to noon!
In a season of twists and tenacious comebacks, the Cincinnati Reds etched their name back into MLB's October lore on September 28, 2025. Despite a gritty 4-2 defeat to the Milwaukee Brewers in their regular-season finale, the Reds clinched the National League's final Wild Card spot, thanks to the New York Mets' heartbreaking collapse against the Miami Marlins. Holding a decisive 4-2 head-to-head edge over the Mets, Cincinnati secured their 17th postseason berth—the first in a full 162-game campaign since 2013 and their first deep run since sweeping the Dodgers in the 1995 NLDS. 
This improbable resurrection from a six-game deficit in early September showcases the Reds' cockroach-like resilience, as outfielder TJ Friedl quipped. New manager Terry Francona's steady hand transformed a young, volatile roster into playoff contenders, blending Elly De La Cruz's electric speed with Hunter Greene's fireballing mound presence. Fans stormed Great American Ball Park in euphoric disbelief, popping champagne amid chants of "Reds October!" Their reward: a high-stakes Wild Card showdown against the powerhouse Los Angeles Dodgers on Tuesday, where underdog fire meets Hollywood glamour. Cincinnati's window is wide open—expect fireworks, not just participation trophies.
As the baseball champagne dries, Cincy's gridiron warriors pivot to primetime redemption. Tonight, September 29, the 2-1 Bengals invade Empower Field at Mile High to battle the 1-2 Denver Broncos on Monday Night Football (8:15 p.m. ET, ESPN). Without star QB Joe Burrow sidelined by injury, Jake Browning steps into the spotlight, his turnover-prone start (five picks in six quarters) clashing against Denver's ferocious No. 1-ranked pass rush
The Broncos, desperate after back-to-back road heartbreaks, loom as 7.5-point favorites, fueled by rookie RB J.K. Dobbins' ground-and-pound (74 yards per game) and Courtland Sutton's red-zone menace. Cincinnati's 22nd-ranked defense, vulnerable to the run, faces a high-altitude bully ball at thin air. Yet, Ja'Marr Chase's explosiveness could flip the script in this AFC showdown, where the Bengals boast a 6-0 streak against conference foes. Under 43.5 total points? A trench war looms, but Who Dey Nation dreams of Burrow-less magic. From diamond triumph to gridiron grit, Cincinnati owns the spotlight—pure, unfiltered Queen City passion.
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Reds Extra Innings Loss, College Football Weekend Preview Ft. Alabama vs. Georgia & Oregon vs. Penn State, Ryder Cup, Best Bets Of The Weekend

On today's edition of The Stone Shields Show we discuss the Reds heartbreaking loss in extra innings to the Pirates, preview an incredible slate of college football games: USC vs. Illinois, Ohio State vs. Washington, LSU vs. Ole Miss, Auburn vs. Texas A&M, Oregon vs. Penn State & Alabama vs. Georiga, breakdown what to watch for in the Ryder Cup and Stone provides his best bets of the weekend.
Off The Bench is back weekdays from 10a to 11a followed by The Stone Shields Show from 11a to noon!
Under the glaring lights of Great American Ball Park, the Cincinnati Reds' playoff dreams flickered and faded in the cruel twilight of extra innings. On September 24, 2025, a fired-up crowd of 30,725 watched in stunned silence as the Pittsburgh Pirates snatched a 4-3 victory in the 11th, delivering a dagger to Cincinnati's NL wild-card hopes. Tied with Arizona and just one game behind the Mets entering the night, the Reds now stare at a precarious half-game deficit with only five contests left—a loss that feels like the backbreaker in a season of tantalizing what-ifs.
The evening began as a pitcher's duel for the ages, pitting Reds ace Hunter Greene against Pirates phenom Paul Skenes, the NL Cy Young frontrunner. Greene, battling for his 8th win, scattered five hits over six innings, allowing two earned runs while fanning seven. But Skenes was untouchable, surrendering just four hits in six scoreless frames, whiffing seven and etching his name in franchise lore with his 211th strikeout—a Pirates record for a righty. Pittsburgh scratched out a 2-0 lead in the second on Bryan Reynolds' RBI single and Oneil Cruz's sacrifice fly, quieting the home faithful.
Hope ignited in the eighth. Down 2-0, Noelvi Marte unleashed chaos with his first career inside-the-park homer, a liner off the wall that caromed wildly into left-center, allowing him to circle the bases untouched. The GABP erupted. Then, in the ninth, Tyler Stephenson crushed a solo shot off closer Dennis Santana, knotting it at 2-2 and forcing extras. "Stephenson's blast was pure adrenaline," Reds manager Terry Francona said postgame. "We had momentum."
But baseball's heartless script twisted in the 10th. Jack Suwinski's RBI double plated the go-ahead run for a 3-2 Pirates edge. The Reds clawed back on Gavin Lux's sacrifice fly, tying it once more at 3-3. Agony peaked in the 11th: Spencer Horwitz's leadoff double scored Reynolds—his third run of the night—for a 4-3 lead. Cincinnati loaded the bases with two outs, hearts pounding, only for Marte to ground into a momentum-crushing force out against Yohan Ramirez. Final out. Ballgame over.
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Reds Suffer Devastating Loss To Pirates, Remembering Rudy Johnson, Bengals Run Game Issues, Why Shedeur Sanders Slid In The Draft

On today's show we discuss the Reds devastating loss to the Pirates, remember Rudy Johnson, lament the Bengals run game issues and discuss why Shedeur Sanders slid in the draft after a new report.
Off The Bench is back weekdays from 10a to 11a followed by The Stone Shields Show from 11a to noon!
In a gut-wrenching setback for Cincinnati's playoff dreams, the Reds fell 4-2 to the Pittsburgh Pirates on Tuesday night at Great American Ball Park, snapping their five-game winning streak and dropping them a full game behind the New York Mets for the NL's final wild-card spot. The loss couldn't have come at a worse time, with only a handful of games left in the regular season and the Reds clinging to faint postseason hopes.
The game unraveled early for Reds starter Brady Singer, who imploded in the second inning, surrendering four runs on five hits—including a two-run homer from Pirates shortstop Oneil Cruz—that chased him after just 1.1 innings. Singer's command faltered, ballooning his season ERA to 3.95 and leaving Cincinnati in an early hole. Pittsburgh's Johan Oviedo, making his eighth start, steadied the ship for the visitors, allowing just two runs over five innings despite a shaky Reds lineup.
Cincinnati clawed back briefly when sparkplug shortstop Elly De La Cruz crushed a 415-foot two-run homer in the bottom of the second, his second blast in as many games after ending a 43-game drought. But the Reds' offense sputtered thereafter, stranding runners in key spots, including a bases-loaded threat in the sixth snuffed out by rookie reliever Hunter Barco's debut gem. The bullpen held firm, but it wasn't enough against a Pirates squad playing spoiler.
Tonight's game (6:40 p.m. ET) pits two of baseball's brightest young arms in a must-win for Cincinnati: Reds ace Hunter Greene (7-4, 2.74 ERA) versus Pirates phenom Paul Skenes (10-10, 2.03 ERA). Greene, the flamethrowing righty, has been lights-out lately, fanning 10+ in four of his last five starts, but faces a tall order against Skenes—the 2024 NL Rookie of the Year and Cy Young frontrunner—who's chasing a sub-2.00 ERA in his final outing. Expect triple-digit heat, high drama, and a low-scoring affair that could swing the wild-card fate.
Amid the baseball buzz, Cincinnati sports mourns the tragic loss of Bengals legend Rudi Johnson, who died by suicide at 45 on Tuesday, per police reports. The fourth-round pick (2001) became a Pro Bowl powerhouse, holding the franchise single-season rushing record (1,458 yards in 2005) and ranking fourth all-time with 5,742 yards. Teammates like Carson Palmer hailed his "joyful presence," while Chad Johnson tweeted a heartfelt tribute. Bengals president Mike Brown called him a "dear friend" and "excellent running back." Johnson's foundation aided local causes, leaving a legacy beyond the field. RIP, Rudy—your spirit endures.
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Bengals Quit On Zac Taylor? Stone's Week 4 NFL Power Rankings, Reds Preview Before Showdown With Pirates, Jaxson Dart Time In NY?

On today's show we discuss if the Bengals quit on Zac Taylor, Bengals issues in the run game and lack of creativity on offense. Also, Stone provides his NFL power rankings going into Week 4 and previews Reds vs. Pirates.
Off The Bench is back weekdays from 10a to 11a followed by The Stone Shields Show from 11a to noon!
Tonight, September 23, 2025, the Cincinnati Reds host the Pittsburgh Pirates in the opener of a pivotal three-game series at Great American Ball Park, with everything on the line in the NL Wild Card race. Sitting at 79-76 after a gritty 6-3 win over the Cubs on Saturday—capped by Spencer Steer's scorching four-homer streak—the Reds have clawed into the third Wild Card spot, one game ahead of the surging New York Mets (78-77) and tied with the Giants for the final berth. Their magic number to clinch is 6: a combination of Reds wins and Mets losses that locks in postseason entry.
This isn't just survival; it's redemption for a franchise starved for October baseball since a 2020 Wild Card sweep. With six games left—all divisional, including this Pirates set and a road finale against the Brewers—the Reds control their destiny in the razor-thin NL Central scrum. A win tonight, behind probable starter Hunter Greene's electric heat, could drop that magic number to 5 and tilt momentum against a Pirates squad that's 72-83 but pesky at home. Lose, and the Mets' tiebreaker edge looms large, potentially dooming Cincinnati to another heartbreaking fade.
Young guns like Elly De La Cruz and Steer have ignited a late surge, but the bullpen's fragility and road woes against Milwaukee amplify the peril. Playoffs mean national stage validation for GM Nick Krall's rebuild; missing them risks fan apathy and another lost winter. At stake: legacy, pride, and a ticket to the expanded postseason starting September 30. Win, and Cincy dreams big. Falter, and it's back to the drawing board. 
On September 21, 2025, the Cincinnati Bengals suffered a brutal 48-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings, their worst defeat ever, dropping them to 0-3. With Joe Burrow out (wrist fracture), backup Jake Browning struggled, completing 12 of 25 passes for 98 yards and two interceptions. The defense collapsed, allowing 412 yards, as Carson Wentz carved them up in relief of rookie JJ McCarthy. Fans on X erupted, slamming the "effortless" performance and Zac Taylor's play-calling. Despite the rout, insiders argue it’s too early to call it quits, citing Taylor’s playoff pedigree. The Bengals face a critical rebound test.
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Bengals Suffer Worst Loss In Franchise History, Reds Leapfrog Mets For Final NL Wild Card Spot

On today's edition of The Stone Shields Show we discuss the laundry list of things that went wrong for the Bengals in Minnesota as well as talk about the Reds sweeping the Cubs to overtake the Mets in the Wild Card race.
Off The Bench is back weekdays from 10a to 11a followed by The Stone Shields Show from 11a to noon!
In a weekend that encapsulated the highs and lows of fandom, Cincinnati's sports landscape delivered gut-wrenching drama. The Bengals, already limping from a 0-2 start, suffered their most humiliating defeat in franchise history—a 45-7 evisceration at the hands of the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday afternoon. What began as a hopeful redemption arc for Joe Burrow's squad devolved into a defensive masterclass for Minnesota, spearheaded by cornerback Byron Murphy II (formerly Josh Metellus in a bizarre naming glitch? No, wait—Byron Murphy? Actually, reports pinpointed Isaiah Rodgers as the nightmare). Rodgers etched his name in NFL lore with an 87-yard pick-six, a 66-yard fumble return touchdown off tight end Noah Fant, and two forced fumbles—one stripping Ja'Marr Chase. Carson Wentz, the Vikings' journeyman QB, diced Cincinnati's secondary for 173 yards and two scores, while Jordan Mason bulldozed for 116 rushing yards and a pair of TDs. The halftime dagger? A franchise-record 62-yard field goal as the clock expired, swelling Minnesota's lead to 31-3. Bengals fans, a sea of orange in U.S. Bank Stadium, streamed out early, their playoff dreams flickering like a faulty stadium light. For a team banking on Burrow's arm and Chase's speed, this 38-point rout exposed foundational cracks—coordination lapses, pass protection failures, and a secondary that might as well have been playing flag football. At 0-3, whispers of a lost season grow louder, with whispers of coaching scrutiny trailing Zac Taylor.
Yet, in the shadow of gridiron despair, the Reds ignited hope with a surgical 1-0 shutout over the Cubs, vaulting them into a tie with the Mets for the NL's third wild-card spot at 80-76. Elly De La Cruz's leadoff double in the first, followed by a sacrifice fly from Spencer Steer, stood as the lone run, backed by Nick Martinez's gem—seven innings of two-hit ball, fanning eight. This victory, paired with New York's feeble 3-2 stumble against the Nationals (outdueled by bargain-bin hurlers Jake Irvin and Mitchell Parker), flipped the script. The Mets, once soaring with Juan Soto's MVP-caliber bat, have cratered with an 8-game skid and a 35-52 nosedive since mid-June—their $765 million payroll yielding White Sox-level futility. Cincinnati now holds the head-to-head tiebreaker over the Mets, a razor-thin edge in a scrum with the Diamondbacks lurking one game back. With three against the Pirates (whom they've owned 6-4) and a Brewers finale, the Reds' fate dangles tantalizingly. For a city nursing NFL wounds, this baseball surge feels like a salve—a reminder that in Cincinnati, resilience is the real MVP. As October beckons, the Queen City's pulse quickens: Can the Reds clinch a dance while the Bengals lick their wounds? Only the final week will tell.
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Bengals Injury Report, Andrew Whitworth On Bengals OL Issues, Reason To Believe In Jake Browning, 2025 NFL Playoff Predictions

On The Stone Shields Show today we discuss injuries heading into Bengals vs. Vikings, Andrew Whitworth's comments on the Bengals OL issues, reason to believe in Jake Browning + Stone's 2025 NFL playoff predictions from before the season. 
Off The Bench is back weekdays from 10a to 11a followed by The Stone Shields Show from 11a to noon!
The Cincinnati Reds secured a victory against the St. Louis Cardinals on September 17, 2025, clinching the series with a strong performance led by Spencer Steer, who drove in five runs. The Reds' offense was potent, capitalizing on key moments to outpace the Cardinals, whose record fell to 73-77. The game, played at Busch Stadium, showcased Cincinnati’s ability to exploit pitching mistakes, with Steer’s standout contribution highlighted in posts on X. Despite their 74-75 record, the Reds remain a competitive force in the NL Central, though playoff odds are slim at 12.9%. This win underscores their resilience under manager Terry Francona, with the team leaning on offensive firepower to stay relevant in a tight wild card race.
The Cincinnati Bengals’ defense has emerged as a strength in 2025, particularly evident in their 17-16 Week 1 win over the Cleveland Browns. Under new defensive coordinator Al Golden, the unit limited Cleveland to 296 yards before a late drive, with DJ Turner II securing his first career interception and Jordan Battle adding another. Trey Hendrickson’s sack on Joe Flacco forced a missed field goal, sealing the victory. The defense’s performance was a marked improvement over 2024, when it struggled, allowing Cincinnati to overcome an anemic offense that managed just 141 total yards. This defensive resurgence has fueled optimism, with the Bengals (2-0) atop the AFC North, showing they can win gritty games.
The Minnesota Vikings’ Week 3 injury report ahead of their game against the Cincinnati Bengals lists 12 players, with over 20% of the 53-man roster affected. Quarterback J.J. McCarthy (ankle) and center Ryan Kelly (concussion) did not practice and are likely out, with Carson Wentz expected to start. Left tackle Justin Skule (concussion) also missed practice. Limited participants include linebacker Andrew Van Ginkel (concussion), safety Harrison Smith (illness), and others with minor injuries. Left tackle Christian Darrisaw (knee) and cornerback Jeff Okudah (concussion) were full participants, signaling potential returns. The Vikings face depth challenges but show encouraging signs
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Joe Burrow The Next Andrew Luck? Stone's Week 3 NFL Power Rankings, Joel Klatt's Top Peforming QB's In College Football

On The Stone Shields Show today Stone discusses if Joe Burrow is the next Andrew Luck, provides his NFL power rankings heading into Week 3 and reacts to Joe Klatt's top 10 performing QB's in CFB so far this season.
Off The Bench is back weekdays from 10a to 11a followed by The Stone Shields Show from 11a to noon!
In a frustrating shutdown affair at Busch Stadium, the Cincinnati Reds suffered a 3-0 defeat to the St. Louis Cardinals on Tuesday night, September 16, 2025, dimming their fading playoff aspirations. The loss marked the Reds' fourth in five games, dropping them three games behind the New York Mets for the final National League Wild Card spot with just 12 contests left in the regular season. Cincinnati's offense, once a high-octane force, went ice-cold, managing only three hits against a stingy Cardinals staff.
Rookie right-hander Michael McGreevy dominated for St. Louis, delivering seven sharp innings with just three hits, three walks, and six strikeouts on 91 pitches. His poise silenced the Reds' bats, setting the stage for Thomas Saggese's pivotal two-run homer in the third inning that provided all the offense the home team needed. Relievers closed out the three-hitter, with Riley O’Brien notching his fifth save in a crisp 1-2-3 ninth.
On the mound, Reds starter Andrew Abbott struggled through 4 2/3 innings, surrendering three runs on eight hits while fanning seven. The defeat underscored Cincinnati's mounting inconsistencies—stranded runners and untimely errors plagued a lineup desperate for momentum after Monday's dramatic 11-6 comeback win. Manager David Bell lamented the missed opportunities, noting, "We couldn't string anything together tonight. Credit to their pitcher, but we've got to find our fight."
Shifting gears to the gridiron, the undefeated Cincinnati Bengals (2-0) face a pivotal road test against the Minnesota Vikings (1-1) on Sunday, September 21, 2025, at U.S. Bank Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1:00 PM ET on CBS, with Minnesota favored by 3.5 points and a total of 42 points.
Cincinnati enters hot off a gritty 31-27 thriller over Jacksonville, where backup QB Jake Browning stepped up amid Joe Burrow's indefinite injury absence. Browning's poise—highlighted by clutch late-game heroics—fuels optimism, but the Bengals' secondary talent, like Ja'Marr Chase, will clash with Minnesota's star Justin Jefferson. Running back Chase Brown (47 yards last outing) must exploit a Vikings rush defense that allowed 139 yards against Jacksonville.
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Bengals Sign Mike White & Sean Clifford, Notre Dame Dead? + More Baker Mayfield Heroics

On The Stone Shields Show today we discuss the Bengals signing Mike White & Sean Clifford, why there are many truths when it comes to Joe Burrow's injuries, Notre Dame's crushing loss to Texas A&M and more!
Off The Bench is back weekdays from 10a to 11a followed by The Stone Shields Show from 11a to noon!
The Cincinnati Bengals' 2-0 start hit a gut-wrenching snag when star quarterback Joe Burrow suffered a Grade 3 turf toe injury in their 31-27 thriller over the Jacksonville Jaguars on September 14. Burrow, who threw for 76 yards and a touchdown before exiting, underwent surgery and faces at least three months sidelined—potentially until mid-December. Backup Jake Browning stepped up admirably, completing 21 of 32 passes for 241 yards, two scores, and three picks, including a game-winning 1-yard sneak with 18 seconds left. With Burrow out, whispers of a veteran addition swirl. Analysts eye Atlanta's Kirk Cousins for his experience, though his $24.4 million salary looms large, or Tampa Bay's Jameis Winston for a low-cost cannon arm to sling to Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. A Jimmy Garoppolo trade from the Rams could add Super Bowl savvy cheaply, but Cincinnati's confidence in Browning—fresh off a 4-3 stint in 2023—might keep them steady for now. 
Shifting to college gridiron glory, No. 16 Texas A&M stunned No. 8 Notre Dame 41-40 in a Saturday night heart-stopper at Notre Dame Stadium on September 13. Sophomore QB Marcel Reed dazzled with 360 passing yards, two TDs, and a crucial 11-yard strike to Nate Boerkircher with 13 seconds left, capping a 74-yard drive. The Aggies (3-0) overcame a botched extra point on ND's late score, avenging last year's 23-13 loss with a prolific air attack—unlike their prior ground-and-pound struggle. Notre Dame (1-2) squandered a 40-34 lead, their playoff dreams dimming after a national title game run last season; defensive lapses and a blocked punt return TD haunted the Irish. A&M's road ranked win, first since 2014, signals SEC contender status under Mike Elko. 
Monday Night Football capped Week 2 with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers edging the Houston Texans 20-19 on September 15, moving to 2-0 via late-game magic. Baker Mayfield outdueled C.J. Stroud, engineering a final drive for Rachaad White's 2-yard TD plunge with six ticks left. Tampa's 169 rushing yards overwhelmed Houston's 84, with Bucky Irving (71) and White (65) pounding the rock; Emeka Egbuka's screen TD gave the Bucs their first lead. The Texans (0-2) faltered on red-zone stalls and special teams woes, including a blocked punt; Nick Chubb's 25-yard score off a return couldn't salvage it. Houston's AFC South title repeat now teeters, while Mayfield's heroics echo his Week 1 rally.
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