Does the road get easier from here?

by Josh Kirkendall on Sep 22, 2008 1:28 PM EDT in Analysis

I haven't reach Dave's assessment that the season is done, yet. The Bengals have 13 games remaining after losing their first three games against undefeated teams that are leading their division (or tied, in the Giants case) with a seriously vulnerable team in Pittsburgh right now (Big Ben has some injuries, and their backup is Byron Leftwich), a badly performing Browns team (averaging 8.6 points per game and allowing 22 points per) and a team in Baltimore that's playing as well as anyone in the AFC North -- though assessing that much for the Ravens after the Browns and Bengals might be a little generous.

The Bengals will now play 13 games against teams with a combined 16-20 record through the young season thus far.

Cleveland Browns (0-3): If there's a contest for more disappointing Ohio team (other than the Ohio State Buckeyes), it's probably the Browns, whom many picked to win the division.
Dallas Cowboys (3-0): Best team in the NFC.
New York Jets (1-1)
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1): The Steelers are probably the team to beat still this year until the new AFC North Cinderella story Baltimore Ravens beats them.
Houston Texans (0-2): In two losses, the Texans have been beaten by a total of 40 points.
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2): The Titans beat them. The Bills beat them. The Colts nearly beat them.
Philadelphia Eagles (2-1): Good god. With that pass rush, and our protection problems?
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-1): (see above)
Baltimore Ravens (2-0): Hey, the Ravens are 2-0, after beating both Ohio teams, of which neither has won a game. Impressed? Not yet.
Indianapolis Colts (1-2): Even though the Colts are 1-2 to start the season, one can't believe that they'll have a losing record by the time the Bengals roll into Indianapolis (again!).
Washington Redskins (2-1): The Redskins slowed down two powerful offenses in New Orleans and Arizona -- at home.
Cleveland Browns (0-3): (see above)
Kansas City Chiefs (0-3): In the middle of a 12-game losing streak dating back to November 4, 2007.