Bengals Are 1-10 Against Patriots, Colts, and Jets Since 2003

Last year we had a good D, but not a great one. This year we have the same guys back plus some hellish new guys turning some heads. Carlos and Geno are going to be rotating in and keeping the front line fresh, and that will make a difference in the second half. They are not a downgrade to the guys in there like many non starters are. So that means constant pressure making it easier for the guys behind them. We have a great D.

Last year we had a good O, but not even close to being great. The running game was all we had, really. Now, look at the amazing additions to that solid run game, and even the run game got better with B Scott now all grown up and knowing the system. We have a great O. Well, lets put it this way, we have a much better O and with some glue and time (and stopping the pesky series-killing pentalty monsters) they have all the pieces to be a great O.

The coaches are solid also. Well, Brat is Brat, but hopefully Carson and Lewis override his calls enough to keep D’s guessing. So there’s really not much more we “need” to compete against the best in the NFL. Maybe a little luck.

If you look at it all at once, it is daunting. The good news is that the Bengals are equiped to handle a tough schedule. Also, every year one powehouse team seems to fall off the map. 2009 Steelers and Bears- both common superbowl picks. 2008 Seahawks (yes a stretch, but they were supposed to eat the division alive and basically got cooked by the weakest teams) or Browns (keep 2007 in mind and the “great moves” they made over the offseason). 2007, Bears. Every year since 2006 – 49ers, every year since 2004 except this season – Panthers.

My point is that the schedule is tough to read right now. I have a feeling the Jets will be much more ho-hum than people think. If the Pats and Ravens really aren’t up to snuff (which could very well be the case, depending too much on very old or young players esp. on defense) the Bengals could be the hot team out of the gate. The Saints got by being the top turnover ratio team in 2009, but the 26th ranked defense. Much rather have the Bengals #4 and looking for a few more bounces than be a bad defense looking to get the same high number of lucky bounces. Injuries always play a role in some teams fortunes as well. The tougher part of the schedule is the later half. The Bengals can take some hits in a few areas while lots of teams have a (seemingly) considerable drop-off in talent.

Game 1 against the Pats is the biggest game of the year at this point. Game 2 against the Ravens is the “next” biggest. By game 3, everything could change.

that’s just a ridiculous road schedule

I heard either Marvin or Mike Zimmer say this and it’s true, the real mindset should be: They have to play us. Hopefully we just forget about the past and press forward with a new day and get our first Super Bowl win this year.

this is arguably the best Bengals team top to bottom in 20 some odd years assuming the passing game is present all season. The running game, defense, and return game are there.

I really think the additions of TO, Shipley and Gresham, plus Ocho and Bernard Scott give Cincy tools for a dynamic passing game sp hopefully the rookies continue to adapt well once the season starts.

No matter how bleak I try to make the picture look on a post to see your guys’ resolve, you guys are unrelenting with your awesome fandom. Just as I expected.

but I wouldn’t have it any other way. If this team is as good as we think it is then we should still be in position to win 10 games.