Most people reading this blog probably don't pay too much attention to football. I also probably lost about 50% of my audience in that first sentence. But the Bengals are off to a 4-1 start on the season and I wanted to write a post on my thoughts.
Let me first start positive.
- The Bengals defense is what is keeping them in games. They are physical, fast, and are playing with passion. Holding the 31 point average Ravens to 14 is a testiment to their efforts. Their philosophy is to not let the other team's best player beat you, more specifically, the other team's best wide receiver. For example both Greg Jennings and Derrick Mason had 0 catches in their games against the Bengals. Fantasy suggestion? Don't start a receiver against the Bengals D. There really is no credit to be given to anyone in particular because everyone is playing well. They are really playing as a unit and every player is playing shut down defense right now.
- Cedric Benson is running his tail off. This stat will surprise EVERYONE. He is the leading rusher in the NFL by 6 yards over Adrian Peterson. Have I mentioned that those yards are against Baltimore, Pittsburgh, & Denver. Those defenses are no slouches.
- Carson is clutch under pressure. Two weeks in a row he has run for a 1st down during a 4th down play within the last minute of the game. Carson isn't known for his running. He has also taken the Bengals on a 4th quarter game winning drive 3 weeks in a row now. His arm isn't as stellar as it has been in the past but I think he'll continue to improve.
- T.J. Who? I don't miss him even a little bit. Laveranues Coles hasn't panned out to be a viable replacement (yet), but Chris Henry and Andre Caldwell have stepped up beyond anyone's expectations and T.J. isn't missed for that reason.
But the point of my post is to say that their wins haven't convinced me that the Bengals are a contender for the playoffs or Super Bowl... YET. I really want to be wrong. I want nothing more than to see us do it. Other than Cleveland fans, who would be rooting against the Bengals right now? You have to be happy to see them succeed. I'm just not convinced yet.
Did you know the Bengals have been in the lead during their games for only 18% of the time and are still 4-1. That's incredible. They have needed a game winning drive during the last minute in the last 3 games in order to win. One of those games was against Cleveland and Cleveland is TERRIBLE. They have also had tons of kicking issues. They just fired their long snapper today. He has ruined 11 points between extra points and easy field goals in the 5 games not to mention all the horrible snaps the holder was barely able to save.
Really there is no reason why we couldn't be 5-0 or 0-5 right now. Maybe what makes great teams is their ability to pull through in the end but so far I only feel like the Bengals success is pure luck. I could give so many examples but the most recent one is the Baltimore game. I actually feel like the Bengals should have blown out the Ravens. The game should have been in their hands by the end of the 3rd quarter. Carson threw a bomb to Chris Henry who galloped down the field to only be tackled at the 5 yard line. Had he hustled just a little, it's a TD. Results? A missed 30 yard field goal. That's unacceptable. That's the real Bengals from the last 19 years.
But why were we lucky? Let's look at the last drive. We only had an opportunity because Baltimore dropped a wide open catch for first down and had to punt it away. We got the ball with 2:10 left and after 3 downs, it took a 4th down run to get a 1st, burning a minute off the clock. Then on 2nd and 10, Ray Lewis hits Ochocinco in the face and gets flagged for 15 yards. Ray Lewis absolutely deserved it but that's just help you don't normally get. After that we got a legitimate 11 yards. Then on 3rd and 16, there's a defensive pass interference called for Ochocinco. I'd love to say that the Ravens deserved this, but it should have been 4th and 16. That was not a foul. Next play from the 20 yard line, touchdown. I can't help but feel like the Ravens handed us that game.
What I would like to see this weekend is the Bengals destroy Houston by 30. Let's have a 4th quarter full of Cedric Benson and Bernard Scott just pounding away. Until the Bengals put a complete game together, I will not be able to claim they are different this year. They have done a lot of really good things, but they have squeaked by on far too many levels. We'll know a lot more during the next 4 games. We have Houston, Chicago, Baltimore, & Pittsburgh. You better believe Balt. and Pitt. won't sleep on us again.
How will the Bengals finish? My guess is 11-5. I just hope the Bungles stay away long enough to bring back some pride in this desperate city.
