Cincinnati Bengals flexed for regular season finale; can dictate who their first-round opponent will be

by Josh Kirkendall on Dec 27, 2009 10:43 PM EST in Playoffs

The Cincinnati Bengals played 15 games this year having zero primetime games and only four games as late afternoon game. We projected for most of the season that games against the Vikings or the Chargers could possibly be flexed, being as they were two division leaders. And up to the moment that the Bengals clinched the division, Cincinnati may have been the only division champion this season that didn't play in front of a national audience on primetime.

Now Cincinnati can join the ranks of having a primetime game.

On the same day that the Bengals clinched the AFC North, it was announced that the season finale against the New York Jets will be flexed to a Sunday night game. In fact, it will be the very last NFL regular season game as there's no Monday Night Football during the last week of the season.

There's question if the Bengals will play their starters throughout Sunday night's game. And why not? This offense really needs the work. Badly. If the Jets beat the Bengals, then Cincinnati is assured the fourth seed and the Jets are in as the sixth seed. Cincinnati's opponent, if they beat the Kansas City Chiefs, would be the Denver Broncos. We've been waiting for that rematch. Very eagerly.

If the Bengals beat the Jets, then who knows who we play. It could be the Ravens, the Steelers, the Broncos or the Texans. No matter who we play, it appears it's going to be a rematch.

In truth, the Bengals will be able to dictate their first round opponent based on whether they play their starters. Talking about controlling your own destiny.

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how about this for a crazy scenario

Bengals play the Jets. Jets win. Ravens beat Oakland. Denver loses to KC. then the Ravens would have the 5th seed, and the jets would have the 6th seed. Bengals would have 4th seed. We would end up playing the Jets back to back weeks.

But at least the game is now at 8pm, so the Bengals will know ever scenario and can do what they have to when it comes time.

"Ghiaciuc's play was a distraction"

by Joe Goodberry on Dec 27, 2009 11:14 PM EST reply actions

really only if Baltimore wins

Jets would be playing for 5 seed, regardless of Denver result…. so you ar right Bal and Jets win, then Cincy vs Jets in playoffs

by expo on Dec 28, 2009 12:08 AM EST up reply actions

i threw baltimore in there because they could lose and the texans win

that would make the Jets the 5th seedand Texans the 6th seed, leaving us to play Houston

"Ghiaciuc's play was a distraction"

by Joe Goodberry on Dec 28, 2009 12:57 AM EST up reply actions

If we're the 4th seed,

we play the 5th seed, so we would play Jets back to back if that happens.

I once defended the managerial styles of Jerry Narron after a Reds loss in a bar after a long night of drinking. I wish I could say that I don't remember doing that.

by chazerize on Dec 28, 2009 7:14 AM EST up reply actions

no 4 would play 5 and 3 would play 6

by WHYUS!! on Dec 28, 2009 1:24 PM EST up reply actions

sorry misunderstood

by WHYUS!! on Dec 28, 2009 1:26 PM EST up reply actions

rofl i love it, total mess

afc wildcard — 7 teams, 2 spots, 1 week! wow.

nfc wildcard — all 6 locked in, but all seeds up for grabs!

does cincinnati really control its destiny though? does anyone know yet? right now the patriots own a small tiebreaker at Strength of Victory .433 to .403. can 1 game change that, that much? If NE beats houston earlier in the day (also an 8-7 as the jets are), then it seems NE is guaranteed the #3 seed. Bengals may have almost nothing to play for, except helping to decide if the jets make it or not.

by cokane on Dec 28, 2009 3:01 AM EST reply actions

If the Pats win

and Baltimore and Pittsburgh win..regardless of denver winning or losing…the Steelers fate will rest on Cincy beating the Jets. However, Cincy won’t be playing for anything…They would be the 4 seed win or lose. They will be playing for who they play, yes…but they won’t play Denver, as Denver would be eliminated at this point. No, a win and they’d play Baltimore…not good, and a loss and they’d play the Jets…So you’re going to rest your starters as the game won’t matter because NE will beat Houston and Pittsburgh and Baltimore will probably win.

by steel town on Dec 28, 2009 1:33 PM EST reply actions

I wouldn’t necessarily count on NE beating Houston, nor would I count on Baltimore beating Oakland; NE’s pass defense is quite vulnerable, and Oakland has toppled many playoff-caliber teams this season. Let’s save the sour grapes on every post for when the scheduling actually has an effect, if it does at all.

by Todd G on Dec 28, 2009 2:51 PM EST up reply actions

ne is on the road

where they have not played well this year. Houston is playing for much more than NE. NE is a very veteran team which may just rest its starters.

by cokane on Dec 28, 2009 4:02 PM EST up reply actions

Look a little deeper!

If NE loses then playing for the 3rd seed makes sense. If Cincy is a 4th seed & wins round one they go to Indy as opposed to SD. If the Bengals & Pats somehow (possible) win two games in playoff then 3rd seed hosts. If Pats win in Houston then the Bengals should rest players & not tip game plans to Jets to ensure advantages at home in week 1 of the playoffs. Pats vs Texans will be wide open, 42-40 type score, who has it last will win.

by Vman in Germany on Dec 28, 2009 4:43 PM EST reply actions