On today's show, we preview the Bengals' game vs. the Steelers this weekend, including players to watch and keys to victory for Cincinnati. Plus, the Falcons dominated Green Bay on Thursday Night Football; college football weekend preview ft. Texas vs. Tennessee and our Best Bets Of The Weekend.

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The Cincinnati Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers renew one of the NFL’s nastiest AFC North rivalries Sunday, with Cincinnati entering at 2-0 and Pittsburgh at 1-1. The Bengals have opened the season with wins over Tampa Bay and Houston, including a convincing 20-6 road victory over the Texans last week. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, is coming off a 20-3 loss to New England in which its offense struggled to generate consistency.

The central matchup is Cincinnati’s offense against Pittsburgh’s pass rush. Joe Burrow has thrown for 461 yards, three touchdowns and one interception through two games, while Ja’Marr Chase had a breakout performance against Houston with seven catches and two touchdowns. The Steelers will lean heavily on T.J. Watt, who already has 3.5 sacks this season and has historically been productive against Cincinnati.

Pittsburgh’s offensive response is the biggest question mark. Aaron Rodgers has 408 passing yards through two games, but the Steelers have scored only three points in their most recent outing and have converted just 5 of 25 third-down opportunities this season. The Steelers will need better protection and more sustained drives against a Cincinnati defense that has looked significantly improved early in the season.

Injuries could also shape the game. Cincinnati’s B.J. Hill has missed practices with an Achilles issue, while Pittsburgh is monitoring several players, including Michael Pittman Jr., Rico Dowdle, Jamel Dean and Joey Porter Jr.

The rivalry history adds another layer: Pittsburgh leads the all-time series 72-41, and the teams split their two meetings last season. The Steelers won the most recent matchup 34-12 in Pittsburgh.

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On today's show, we react to a wild take from ESPN on the Bengals' offseason and discuss the Reds' 7-2 loss to the Brewers, as they have now fallen to 0-5 against Milwaukee this season. Plus, LeBron James is leaving the Lakers. Was this the right move for both parties? Where will he be playing next season?

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ESPN NFL analyst Seth Walder gave the Cincinnati Bengals a C grade for their 2026 offseason, a reflection of his skepticism about the club's approach to rebuilding a defense that struggled mightily last season. While Cincinnati made several headline-grabbing additions, Walder questioned whether the team received enough value for the resources it spent.

His biggest concern centered on the Bengals' trade for All-Pro defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence. Walder argued that Cincinnati paid too steep a price, noting that Lawrence's recent production did not justify the significant investment. He pointed to declining pass-rush numbers and questioned whether the veteran could still perform at an elite level over the course of the season. Walder also expressed reservations about the signing of defensive tackle Jonathan Allen, citing concerns that Allen has not been as impactful in recent years as he was earlier in his career.

Walder did, however, find positives in the Bengals' offseason. He praised the acquisition of edge rusher Boye Mafe, believing Mafe has shown encouraging pass-rush efficiency and could become a valuable contributor. Even so, Walder remained cautious about whether Mafe could handle a larger role while helping transform one of the NFL's weakest defenses.

Ultimately, Walder's C grade reflects a belief that the Bengals addressed obvious needs but did not do so in the most efficient way. Rather than criticizing the team's willingness to invest in defense, he questioned the cost of several major moves and whether those additions will produce enough improvement to justify their price. Cincinnati clearly made an aggressive effort to reshape its roster around franchise quarterback Joe Burrow, but Walder believes the success of the offseason will depend on whether veterans like Lawrence, Allen, and Mafe can outperform his expectations. If they do, the Bengals could prove his evaluation too conservative. If not, the team may once again find itself searching for answers on the defensive side of the ball.

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On today's show, we discuss Terry Francona's decision to start Matt McLain in center field + break down 4 Cincinnati Bengals to watch going into training camp. Also, massive issues with soccer after the USMNT's victory over Bosnia, and Jaylen Brown traded to the 76ers.

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The Cincinnati Reds suffered another frustrating defeat to the Milwaukee Brewers last night, and this time it happened under the bright lights of national television. With a chance to make a statement against a division rival, the Reds instead turned in another disappointing performance that left fans searching for answers. Whether it was missed opportunities at the plate, untimely mistakes in the field, or an inability to slow down Milwaukee's offense, Cincinnati once again came up short.

The loss highlighted several of the issues that have plagued the Reds throughout the season. The offense struggled to capitalize with runners in scoring position, allowing promising innings to end without producing enough runs. Meanwhile, the pitching staff battled but couldn't consistently keep the Brewers' hitters off balance when it mattered most. Against a disciplined team like Milwaukee, those mistakes proved costly.

National television games offer teams an opportunity to showcase their talent to a broader audience, but the Reds were unable to take advantage of the spotlight. Instead, viewers saw a club that continues to fight for consistency while watching a Brewers team that looked more composed in the game's biggest moments. For Cincinnati fans, it was another difficult night made even tougher because it unfolded in front of a nationwide audience.

Despite the disappointment, the season is far from over. Baseball's long schedule leaves plenty of time for teams to regroup and respond after tough losses. The Reds will need to put this game behind them quickly, learn from the mistakes that cost them, and focus on winning the next series. If they hope to remain competitive in the National League Central race, bouncing back from losses like this is essential. One game does not define a season, but repeated missed opportunities against division opponents can become difficult to overcome if they continue to pile up. The Reds now face the challenge of proving they can respond with resilience and play the kind of baseball their fans know they are capable of delivering.

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