It's Time for the Bengals to Clinch their Spot in the Play-offs

The Cincinnati Bengals play the Minnesota Vikings at the Metrodome at 1:00 today.  Carson Palmer, the running backs and the defense all need to be at the top of their game.

Palmer and Chad Ochocinco have to do their  job and hook-up a ton of times.  The o-line has to allow Palmer to get comfortable in the pocket and so he can take over the game.  Palmer absolutely can not throw any interceptions or else the Vikings will definitely capitalize.

Cedric Benson, Larry Johnson and Brian Leonard have to blow right through the Minnesota defense.  The Bengals O-line better open up some holes because the running backs  are going to take advantage of any holes they can find.  The backfield will wear out the Vikings defense by the end of the day.

The Bengals defense have to beat up Peterson and force Favre to make bad decisions and take advantage of it when he does. Cincinnati's defense can't worry only about Adrian Peterson and Brett Favre.  Cincinnati got lucky because Percy Harvin is not playing for Minnesota this week.  With Harvin out, the Bengals dodged a bullet on special teams and on offense because Harvis is a threat on kick returns and he is one of Farve's favorite wide receivers, too.  Cincinnati's defensive backs are going to have at least one pick this week because the D-line is going to kill him before, after and while he is throwing the ball.  The Bengals linebackers are going to blow-up Peterson, too.  They just can't forget to hit him in his legs.

The Bengals can not be a one-dimensional team on offense.  They have to be a three-dimensional team - passing success, running power and special teams speed will put points up on the board.  The Vikings lost to the Steelers and the Bengals sure as heck beat the Steelers so I'm confident the Bengals are going to win today.

Go Bengals!  Who Dey!