Admit it. Put your legs up, lock your fingers together and rest the best of your head on the palm of your hands. In late July when Mike Brown was asked about Carson Palmer, he reiterated that a trade wasn't happening. When that press conference was over, many of us were caught mouthing the words: Worst. Offseason. Ever. Coming off a 4-12 season, with an NFL lockout, a rookie quarterback, wide receiver and Palmer refusing to play was a fraction of the issues facing this team.

Not four months later and the Cincinnati Bengals are tied with the Baltimore Ravens for the best record in the AFC, securing a number one seed by virtue of a tie-breaker if the season ended today. And while fans are quick to point out a national blackout on Bengals coverage, the team that you so adamantly love is being recognized. In fact, it's probably safe to say that through nine weeks this season, the Bengals are a top-ten team and not many people would argue that (except for clowns... because clowns are funny).