What A Win Against The Pittsburgh Steelers Means To The Cincinnati Bengals
by Josh Kirkendall on Nov 29, 2011 1:00 PM EST
in Playoffs
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As Jason pointed out Monday morning, the Cincinnati Bengals are one of three AFC North teams fighting to claim three of six playoff spots this year. With a win this Sunday against the Pittsburgh Steelers, the Bengals will replace Pittsburgh for the fifth seed, which is the conference's first wild card berth. With both teams sporting an identical 8-4 record (again on the condition Cincinnati wins), the teams will have to check-off the list of tie-breaker scenarios for that wild card berth. Since head-to-head record will be split between the two teams, the first tie-breaker is negated. Cincinnati claims the second tie-breaker with a division record of 3-2, dropping Pittsburgh to 1-3 if the Bengals beat the Steelers this weekend.
In the grande scheme of things, a win this weekend isn't so much about beating Pittsburgh... well, alright yes it is. But the added bonus of a win this weekend further secures a playoff spot against the teams tail-gating the Bengals sprint.
Would it be too much of a stretch to write Buffalo out? The Bengals have two more wins than Buffalo right now and hold the head-to-head tie-breaker.
The Denver Broncos are a huge threat at 6-5, especially if the Bengals stumble and force a tie-breaker against Denver that Cincinnati will lose. The New York Jets, also at 6-5, have one team remaining on their schedule with a winning record -- the New York Giants, who are currently losing 42-17 as I'm writing this Monday Night. Might as well write Tennessee into the equation, even though the Bengals own the only tie-breaker that will apply to both teams (head-to-head).
If Cincinnati wins this weekend, with a little stumbling out of the gate by any of the wild card threats behind the Bengals, it will only solidify Cincinnati's position in the 2011 NFL playoffs. But they have to win. And continue winning because while the playoffs are a tremendously gratifying achievement, it would be far more gratifying to win a playoff game.
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I hope but
People keep saying Tebow can’t do it and he keeps finding a way.
Actually what really concerns me is the way their Defense is playing lights out.
With a healthy Dunlap and A.J. Green
This game is looking more and more winnable. The Bengals, for whatever reason, have had more success in recent history while playing IN Pittsburgh against the Steelers than they have had at home. The key lies in the secondaries for both squads.
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by Anthony Cosenza on Nov 29, 2011 1:14 PM EST reply actions
IS Dunlap healthy?
i hadn’t seen anything that indicated that
The Curse of Bo Jackson: Jan 13th,1991- present day
The key to me is turnovers...
Who ever wins the turnover battle wins the game in AFC North games… True stat!
"Men often become what they believe themselves to be. If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it. But when I believe I can, I then acquire the ability to do it even if I didn't have it in the beginning."
by Dwight Carter on Nov 29, 2011 2:29 PM EST up reply actions
The key to the game...
As much as we don’t like doing this to impressionable, perhaps nervous, rookies, it needs to be said. Andy Dalton is the key to this game. If the D can put the first 2.5 quarters of last week behind them, they’re always tough to beat. Yes, our secondary has question marks, but the Steelers have some inconsistent players back there too, especially if Polamalu is unable to go for any reason. Dalton didn’t have a bad game against Pitt, but he certainly needs to step it up. I understand the AFC North is tough to win in for a vet, but if we want to compete, 50% completion 2 TDs and 2 INTs just isn’t going to cut it. The O-Line needs to play much better than last week, but if Dalton can do what he did against Denver or Indy (yes I know, Pitt is a much tougher opponent), the Bengals should be able to take this game with a healthy D, AJ Green healthy, Gresham playing strong, a big game from Dalton, and maybe even a flop or two from Simpson.
And now, yes. This week is what you would call
A MUST WIN.
MUST WIN because it’s Steelers Round 2
MUST WIN to get into the playoffs.
MUST WIN so the team can collectively give – every NFL sports writer, analyst, broadcaster, and everyone else who claimed we would be THE WORST TEAM in 2011 – THE FINGER!
Prove them all wrong boys! Go kick some ass this Sunday!!
Wrong! Conan! What is best in life?
To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women.
+1
"Men often become what they believe themselves to be. If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it. But when I believe I can, I then acquire the ability to do it even if I didn't have it in the beginning."
by Dwight Carter on Nov 29, 2011 2:30 PM EST up reply actions
Teams record
Not to be picky, but the Bengas and Steelers would have identical 8-4 records.
Correct me if im wrong
But that would make us 2nd in the division right? Because they would have 3 division losses to our 2. We would split the series and have the advantage because of a better division record.
Chances are the Bengals make the playoffs even if they lose this game.
I really doubt that either the fighting Tebows or the Dirty Sanchez’s can finish the year 4-1.
That being said, win this game and you can just about lock that playoff spot down. Moreover, would set up what would likely be a division championship game w/ the Ravens in week 17.
Change gone come mane! Trust me! Cause i Bleed tigerblood!--Jerome Simpson
Remaining Schedules
Fightin’ Tebows: Vikings, Bears, Patriots, Bills, Chiefs. Can they beat the Pats and Bears?
Sanchezies :Skins, Chiefs, Eagles, Giants, Dolphins. Jets may be able to pull off 4 wins here. We need to push them out of contention this week!!!
Wrong! Conan! What is best in life?
To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women.
That sound nice lol!!!
"Men often become what they believe themselves to be. If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it. But when I believe I can, I then acquire the ability to do it even if I didn't have it in the beginning."
by Dwight Carter on Nov 29, 2011 2:33 PM EST up reply actions
Want to win this game to not only kick Pittspuke's a*&........
but to not need a bunch of help later on too. Is always nice to take care of business yourself, so we don’t need any miracles towards the end. This game is big for a lot of reasons……….Who Dey?!!
by The Van Buren Boys on Nov 29, 2011 1:34 PM EST reply actions
hate to think of the other perspective on this glass
" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."
must be something in the air today: Colts fire defensive coach Larry Coyer
first the jacksonville culling and sell, now the colts are starting to clean house as well?
" Mike Brown is the owner that Cincy doesn't deserve, not the one it needs..."
+100
"Men often become what they believe themselves to be. If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it. But when I believe I can, I then acquire the ability to do it even if I didn't have it in the beginning."
by Dwight Carter on Nov 29, 2011 2:50 PM EST up reply actions
I absolutely agree....
Win and the scenarios get smaller and smaller.
by whodeycommish14 on Nov 29, 2011 3:06 PM EST up reply actions
well we can start this weekend by beating every other team on the schedule
if we can split with Pitts and the Ravens and win out the rest of the way we are going to hold the 5th seed
Win out, and that is what you are saying, that gives us 12 wins and the division title is
very likely. I expect the Browns to win one of the four with the Steelers and Ravens
"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"
split baltimore and pitt and win the other 3...
and we will be looking at a bye week… We hold common games over Balt..
And Div Record over Pitt
by Bengalsfan024 on Nov 29, 2011 3:41 PM EST up reply actions
We need a big win...
If nothing else, this team needs a win this week to show the world they are for real
Did anyone see Jimmy Graham’s 2nd TD last night, he lost the ball completely . Looked alot like Greshams TD robbery. NFLs officiating is so inconsistent and horrible. Sorry for bringing up old news but just saying. Oh by the way F&#k Pittsburgh!
by bnglsfan on Nov 29, 2011 2:23 PM EST via mobile reply actions
the difference...
…was that Jimmy Graham had possession of the ball before he crossed the goal line and it was a TD the instant the ball broke the plane of the same. In Gresham’s case, he got full control of the ball inside the end zone and lost control as he was going to the ground after completing the catch. Does not change the fact that it seems like a stupid rule, but just wanted to point out there is a difference in the two situations.
pretty much
the rule is different for runners and receivers. jimmy graham was considered a runner since he caught the ball and made a ‘football move’.
by Jason Blanton on Nov 29, 2011 2:52 PM EST up reply actions
To catch the ball in the EndZone (where gresham finally got possession)
You must get both feet down and make a football move or go to the ground maintaining possession…
If you run in to the endzone you must simply control the ball long enough to cross the plane after that it doesnt matter
by Bengalsfan024 on Nov 29, 2011 3:43 PM EST up reply actions
ravens fan
Please destroy Pitt. It would nice to have some breathing room and after a Ravens win there’s nothing more I enjoy than a Pitt loss. It would be really funny if they didn’t make playoffs, but I think all 3 of us will be there. Good luck this week.
On Ed Reed:
"I’ve told him to his face many times, ‘You’re the greatest safety ever to play the game,’"
"We all learn from each other, but we all learn most from him."
- Troy Polamalu
There schedule will get easier...
Aftre the Bengals they play San fran, the Browns twice and some NFC west team Cardinals or Rams. Pittsburg will make it to the playoffs. The Bengals, unless something dramatic happens which it has in the pass will make the playoff’s too! Great Defense, good running game, and a QB that doesn’t make make to many mistakes. Bengals are in just got to finish stronger and carry that play into the playoffs.
"Men often become what they believe themselves to be. If I believe I cannot do something, it makes me incapable of doing it. But when I believe I can, I then acquire the ability to do it even if I didn't have it in the beginning."
by Dwight Carter on Nov 29, 2011 3:18 PM EST up reply actions
Well 49ers are no push over...
We wont be a push over…
And the Browns will play Pitt hard… they will play Baltimore hard too.. i dont see the browns going 0-6 in the div so somebody watch out.
by Bengalsfan024 on Nov 29, 2011 3:44 PM EST up reply actions
SF is a hard place to play and a long road trip. I favor the 49rs there
The Cargers are really a good team disguised as a bad one.. Rivers could snap out of it and give Baltimore more than they want in SD as well. I think our hardest game is going to be the Texans game because it is also a long road game, but I don’t thing JJ can cover Green and with our new Offense he has no insights to help the Texans. Isn’t he about due for his annual foot injury?
"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"
Long trip
To downtown Cincinnati. We stack up very well against the Texans. We have a large O-line to counter their pass rush. They now must rely heavily on the run which we stack up well against. AJ is much bigger than JoJo. And its at home. I think we win that game.
You are correct sir. I have a schedule in my wallet and the creasein the fold
made it look like it was away. It is funny that I never picked up on the error. I feel much better about the Texans game.
"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"
We will do our best to give Pittsburgh a beatdown - then we will try to do the same thing to you.
We will find out if we can compete or not.. To be the best you have to beat the best. That, in a nut shell, is our challenge.The time for talk and hopes and wishes are thru. We will either man up or we won’t.
"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"
I'm with John on this one
We gave up the first two. But we didn’t get stomped on by any means.
Let’s beat both of them this time around, then at 9-4, with all the division games done with, we have a couple of games to get #10. You couldn’t ask for a better scenario for the team than knowing they compete with the best.
Next thing you know we meet up with the underdog winners of the NFC in the Superbowl for a Bengals/49ers reunion!
Wrong! Conan! What is best in life?
To crush your enemies, see them driven before you, and to hear the lamentation of their women.
I'm on board as well...
We lost 24-17 to Steelers,,, we need to beat them by at least 8 to win a tiebreak with them. This first! As for the rest of the schedule, “It don’t mean a thing if we ain’t got that swing”!!
Ravens,,,,,, we want them to be our first victim od 2012!
I represent the Bengals of Cincinnati with extreme passion and prejudice and make no apologies for it!
vs steelers
If the Bengals beat the Steelers, which I think they will considering we have a healthy lineup, I would book our spot for the playoffs. To beat the Steelers in a crucial time like this would give our boys such a big boost for the upcoming games we have left.
This week is huge in deciding the AFC North!
If we want to win the division, we need to win sunday, and we need Cleveland to beat the Ravens. I don’t think Cleveland can beat Baltimore in Baltimore, so if Baltimore wins, they more or less win the division. Our last hope would be SD beating Baltimore, which while not implausible, would require a better effort than they have been putting up recently. If Baltimore wins out, they go into the Week 17 game with a one game lead and the tiebreak.
Then we need to take care of business, to be in contention for the play-offs. In the end I think we make the play-offs at 10-6, but 11-5 seals the deal.
It must be inordinately taxing to be such a boob. ~ The Brain
Must win game for chance for division title
And of course must beat Baltimore in Cincy as well. I think Pitt and Balt are still better teams when all three are healthy but the margin is much closer than we thought. If Bengals lose both games and still win the rest, I think it will be enough for playoffs. One and done there I am afraid but will be great experience for the rookies. Or they win the rest on the way to the 3rd SB with SF, wouldn’t that be a blast.
One and done
I don’t think we are necessarily one and done. I have to assume the byes will go to the Patriots and the AFC North winners. That means we go to the better team between Houston, Oakland, Denver, and Tennessee. All of these teams are beatable, especially Houston which has fallen into QB hell, but could still get the higher seed among the four becuase their schedule is weaker here on out.
It must be inordinately taxing to be such a boob. ~ The Brain
QB hell
Tell me about it. TJ Yates is tabbed as the starter for now and they are signing Delhomme…
by Oregonbengalsfan on Nov 29, 2011 7:34 PM EST up reply actions
zimmer
will have a field day against this offense
by Jason Blanton on Nov 30, 2011 1:58 PM EST up reply actions
If we can beat either or both of the Pittsburgh or Ravens game we can beat anyone
Except maybe Green Bay. We must remember that we are competing for the division against two of the top 5 teams in the game IMO.. Love them or hate them we must give them that respect. Beat them and anything is possible. That however is not going to be easy.
"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"
Big win - must win - no. The most important win? No. I think the Baltomore game will be bigger
If we lost this game and win the rest of the other four that is eleven wins and a playoff appearance. Beat Baltimore and we have momentum.
"If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"
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