FanPost

Bengals ready for the next step

Of the current six AFC playoff teams, Cincinnati currently has the best defense (7th overall in YPG, 8th in passing YPG, 8th in rushing YPG and 6th in points allowed per game). Only Baltimore (overall yards) and Kansas City (points allowed) crack the top ten. Given that the Bengals' offense is the major question mark of the team, it's a very good sign that we should find some opportunities for Dalton to do enough positive to win the remaining regular season games and hopefully go deep into the playoffs. If we can beat Indy, we should finish with the 3rd seed and face Baltimore or Pittsburgh at home in the Wild Card game. Given that we will have just beaten them each in the prior few weeks, we should have a ton of confidence. The next game would be in New England which would be a challenge but still a winnable game if the right Dalton shows up.

The team has responded incredibly well to adversity this year which makes me believe they believe in themselves enough to see this through. The loss of Boling is a tough one but testing out a reconfigured line against the Chargers was a good start (they are woeful against the run so let's not make too much out of that game yet). Guys are stepping up and making the plays they need to make. It doesn't matter how the Bengals win as long as they get the W.

We still have four weeks of football to put it all on the field, but right now this team should be feeling ready to take on any challenger. A matchup with Denver would be very tough especially at Mile High but that's why Thomas Edison invented big boy pants...



This is a FanPost and does not necessarily reflect the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors. It does reflect the views of this particular fan, which is as important as the views of Cincy Jungle's writers or editors.