I know they have been a perennial post season dud, but Cincinnati looks stout so far. Especially with the stable of RBs they have. Could this be the year they finally make the push to division title game? Marvin Lewis is doing a Hell of a job keeping them poised and hungry. They can really take advantage of a division that is having some issues right now.
They will go 12-4 and lose in the divisional round to the hot wild card team
Quote:They will go 12-4 and lose in the divisional round to the hot wild card team
This.
Cincy has a very tough (on paper) schedule left this season.
Their next 3 games are:
vs Seahawks (I'm going to the game Sunday)
@ Buffalo
@ Pitt
They've already swept 3 AFCW teams, but still have to face the Broncos late in the season.
As long as their key guys stay healthy, their offense is a legitimate force to deal with.
Coaching is still a real issue with them IMO. Marvin Lewis continues to make very bone-headed decisions at least once every game. He's been very questionable in every playoff game, and continues to do so.
Lewis has been a master at drafting (almost their whole team was drafted by them,,, sans Reggie Nelson and Adam Jones).
But his coaching gaffes, and inevitable Dalton gaffe once or twice a game most likely will take them out in the playoffs again.
** Last year's playoff game almost their whole freaking team was out for injury (Green, Marvin Jones, Eifert, Andre Smith, Gresham I believe went out, Mauluga and Burfict both starting LB).
They almost had no chance at that one. Brandon Tate and Burkhead were their top passing threats. It was ugly.
Not for nothing.. but they are looking really friggin' solid, especially on offense. I know.. I know.. wait for the postseason. Right now, they are looking at a 1st round bye and possibly home field throughout. Marvin Lewis is a solid coach who is keeping them focused on the immediate task at hand, keeping momentum.
Patriots are still the team to beat, but the Bengals are loaded with talent. I can see them making it to the AFC title game this year.
The rest of the AFC is kind of a joke, though. Denver might be 6-0, but that's really just thanks to their defense. Peyton is done.
If there was ever a year that Dalton and the Bengals can actually make some noise in the playoffs, this appears to be the year.
They have looked better then every other team in the AFC, and it's debateable as to whether that includes the Pats.
Now if they can actually make it far enough in the playoffs to face the Pats, that will be a tough game for them to win, but if they get there, they will have a chance, however slim it might be.