The Monday Touchdown: Ten Weeks in a Row Edition

by Jason Garrison on Dec 13, 2010 6:43 PM EST

If you happened to get the enquirer on Sunday, maybe you happened to read Paul Daugherty's column. I won't paraphrase any of it for you, I just want to start this weekly column the way he ended his - with a quote.

"Remember, the opposite of love is not hate. It is cold indifference."

The level of frustration with the Bengals has exponentially increased over the last 10 weeks. It was frustrating after week one of the current franchise record tying losing streak and now it's become frustrating to the tenth degree. Or maybe my frustration levels are better mathematically explained with this: 10! weeks of frustration meaning that 10 x 9 x 8 x 7 x 6..... x1. As you can tell, I'm not very gifted when it comes to anything in the world of math that my cell phone calculator can't handle for me.

Maybe it's just best to say that my levels of frustration are so great that they cannot be simplified in a mathematical way, other than the following symbol: ∞

That's a lot. Anyway, here we go.

Thing I know one: There are few who deserved to have the only TD in the game more than Andrew Whitworth

He has protected Carson Palmer's blind side all season and he's done a pretty good job at it too. In fact, he leads the NFL Pro Bowl voting at tackle. Right now, with the current state of the Cincinnati Bengals, I'd rather see Whitworth in the end zone with the ball in his hands than almost anybody else.

Thing I know two: This one can be blamed on Palmer

There were games before when Palmer was given assistance in throwing interceptions by a lack of coverage or a wrong route run by a receiver. Sunday against the Steelers was different. Palmer threw three interceptions, including two pick-sixes, and the blame for those interceptions can sit squarely on his shoulders. I'm sure he would agree.

Thing I know three: The team to beat for the Super Bowl is.....

not an AFC North team. It's the New England Patriots. Their losses to the Jets in New York and the Browns in Cleveland can be written off as flukes. Just look what they did to the Jets on Monday Night Football and then what they did to the Bears in Chicago the following week. They've also taken care of the Steelers, Ravens, Chargers, Colts and, let's not forget, the Bengals. As much as I'd rather not say it, I think Tom Brady's going to add another ring to his already crowded fingers.

Thing I know four: I'm not glued to the TV anymore

On Sunday, I found myself in an unusual position. I had the game on my TV and I was definitely watching it. However, I wasn't sitting a few feet away from the screen with my jersey on. This week, I found myself doing other things while the game was on. I watched the majority of the game. I figured that the Bengals would lose and I was right. I also figured that they wouldn't get beat, but, once again, they'd find a way to beat themselves. I guess that I'm just getting bored with it right now. That bothers me more than anything else, I think.

Thing I know five: Which year was the fluke?

Which season was the fluke? Was it the 10-6 playoff season or is it this season so far? Considering the talent on the current team, I definitely would have said this season. However, bad luck can only last so long. I'm beginning to believe that the 10-6 season may have been the fluke and what we see now is the real Bengals. I hope I'm wrong, I really do.

Thing I know six: The Bengals don't deserve a prime time game

It's a good thing that the Bengals game against the Chargers was flexed out of it's Sunday night slot. The nation shouldn't be subjected to what the Bengals call football this season. They have no room to be upset, if they are, about the move out of prime time.

Extra thing I know: I doubt the Bengals will beat the Browns

Next week, the Bengals play their second game against the Cleveland Browns. Do you think they'll beat the Browns? I'm not so sure that they will. I personally doubt that they'll win another game this season. I guess if that turns out the be the case, I'll be frustrated to the thirteenth degree.

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Comments

Carsons first pick 6

can be attributed equaly with TO who tripped coming out of his break. It might not have made a difference since balls seem to go through his hands anyway. Your overall conclusion that this loss is on CP is however very true.

"When you chart (the plays) and see where it broke down there was no common theme to it." - Bob Bratkowski

by featherman on Dec 13, 2010 8:37 PM EST reply actions

On Thanksgiving I was telling my New Yorker friend that the Jets game was the Bengals best shot at a win the rest of the season. As good as the Jets should be, they just don’t score points. That’s the kind of team the Bengals might have a shot against. They blew that shot, so they’re done.

by indesignkat on Dec 13, 2010 10:53 PM EST reply actions

What's the Fluke?

In response to the idea of what season is the fluke, first of all, I don’t think it’s possible for a season to be a fluke. A game can be a fluke, sure. Even a few games can be. But a performance over the course of 16 games cannot be – it’s just too much of a pattern.

That being said, what I do believe can happen is that winning and losing tend to snowball when either piles up for a team. They start to believe in themselves and have confidence in themselves and coaches, or if they lose, they question themselves and their coaches. The Bengals have shown that it’s all too possible for a very talented team to play like crap, but it’s not the same talent-less bunch that lost games at will in the 90s and early 00s. This is a team, I still believe, that is perfectly capable of beating the best.
Also, another reason I don’t think the 2009 season is a fluke is that the team was on the cusp of the playoffs since their appearance in 2005 – except of course for their Palmer-less 2008 season. They were literally a missed FG or OT loss away from a few playoff eliminations.

So while I don’t believe the 2009 team is a fluke, I don’t think this one is either. What I do think is that they can be awesome next year, if they want to be.

Also, I might be totally erasing any credibility here by saying this, but I think the Bengals win against the Browns and win against the Ravens. 4-12.

by Israeli on Dec 14, 2010 3:28 AM EST reply actions

Remember this post... I made a mistake-

http://www.cincyjungle.com/2010/6/18/1524827/the-pittsburgh-afterthought#add-comment

You guys are not a mid-tier team- you are the bottom of the barrel. I think you have talent but something is missing. It has been fun waiting to post this – enjoy!

by SteelerTruthTeller on Dec 14, 2010 8:44 AM EST reply actions

thanks for reminding us

I sometimes forget how big of a douche a Steeler fan can be. Then brave souls like yourself come along and show the world just how arrogant you mouth breathers can be.

Thanks!

by whodeyfans on Dec 14, 2010 10:57 AM EST up reply actions

glad I could

Be here for you. I must admit- The 6burgh is my favorite team but my second favorite is whoever the Bungels are playing.

by SteelerTruthTeller on Dec 14, 2010 8:34 PM EST up reply actions

This Is Sad

That you actually follow these posts – let me make it more simple for your fat, Steelers-loving brain. When the Bengals were successful last year and the Steelers were struggling, I couldn’t have cared less about you guys. It was lame and loser-y to even address anti-Bengals comments from Steelers last year, given what the teams were doing on the field. Now, you’re not only addressing Bengals fans now that the team is struggling, but you’re actually on a Bengals fan Web site. Do you have a girlfriend? If so, where is she to smack you upside the head and tell you to stop being a loser?