SI prediction

[duus]

Anyone get the latest SI? I just heard on the local Pissburgh sports radio show that they are predicting that the Stealers will win the division, that the Ravens will be second, and the Bengals will finish 8-8 and miss the playoffs. Obviously, they got a big kick out of that on the radio. Give me a break ... 8-8? I know ... I know ... tough schedule, but I think there will have to be some serious problems for this team to finish at .500 with an offense that remains intact, and a defense that is slowly getting better and better. Even with a tough schedule as it is, 9 wins is minimum, and 10 is expected by me. 11 would be extremely hard this year ... but I see 10. Probably 4 or 5 wins in the division, 0 or 1 against Indy and NE, and 5 of the 8 against the AFC West/NFC South.

[Section 310]

There was a link on Cleveland.com to SI's predictions from last season. They were miserable. Check out the link below.

Ravens win the division at 11-5, the Bengals stink it up at 7-9...and watch out for the Jets and Vikings/

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/...5/scout.report/

[Tasher]

The 8-8 prediction was written before Carson play on Monday, so what do we expect.

I think all the prognosticators are hilarious this year especially.

9-6 will win the North most likely this year since we are playing the AFC West and NFC South and the AFC North will definitely beatup on each other this year. Baltimore is undeniable better going into the season and cleveland will win some games in cleveland undoubtedly.

If the strength of the opponents does not play out, then you will see 2 and possibly 3 playoff teams out of the AFC North with something like 13-3, 12-4, 11-5 from Cincy, Balt, Pitt.

However, WE are the class of this division now and we will win it again.

WHO DEY!

[HoosierCat]

I would bet you the issue was on press before Carson's GB game, which might have altered their calculations. Bottom line is that few alleged experts were willing to grant us much of a chance while Palmer was still in doubt.

I expect this to be a tough division, perhaps the toughest in football, this season. Pitt isn't going to go quietly, if they go at all. The Bengals appear ready to pick up where they left off, but with a bit better D to boot. Baltimore still has talent on defense and whetever his weaknesses, McNair has always been a Bengal-killer. Nor is Cleveland ever easy.

[duus]

And now they are going on about how Porter is on the cover of that same issue of SI and that he is declared to be "the most feared player" in the NFL. Really? I think I need to read this issue just for the humor of it all.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

And now they are going on about how Porter is on the cover of that same issue of SI and that he is declared to be "the most feared player" in the NFL. Really? I think I need to read this issue just for the humor of it all.

Most feared? Yeah, in what possible context? Most feared if you have to listen to the moron give a speech? I'd fear that. The only thing that stands out on Porter is his mouth.

As far as most feared tackler, hitter, defender...not even on his own team, thanks to Troy P.

Man, this has to be a tough year for you.

[duus]

Man, I really need to read this article. According to the local radio, Porter is even compared to LT. Yeah, right ... give me a break! I have to agree that he is not even the most feared on his own team, let alone throughout the NFL.

[HoosierCat]

Here you go, duus. Not only is Porter one of the most feared guys in the NFL, per SI, but he's the No. 1 MOST-feared guy...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedi...content.10.html

I dunno about anyone else, but if I were putting together a list of "most feared" NFL players, I would start with guys like LaDainian Tomlinson, Shaun Alexander, Peyton Manning, Carson Palmer, Marvin Harrison...maybe even a Hines Ward or Roethlisberger. Yoou know, guys who can singlehandedly change and win games. And yeah, you could find some LBs and DEs to toss on the list, too.

But this SI thing basically reads more like "the top 10 biggest punks in the NFL." And yeah, that fits Porter to a "t".

[Stripes]

No kidding, Joisey (er Hoosier ). That list is terrible. I wouldn't have included ANY of those players on such a list. Jason F'ing Short?!

[Edogger]

There was a link on Cleveland.com to SI's predictions from last season. They were miserable. Check out the link below.

Ravens win the division at 11-5, the Bengals stink it up at 7-9...and watch out for the Jets and Vikings/

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/football/...5/scout.report/

Wow, those are some real guesses...man, 7-9. Ouch, I don't think that will be close. I would think 9-7, or even 10-6 if they squeak by a game. But I do agree with their idea to watch for the Vikings. They may be a sleeper but that is another topic in another area.

[membengal]

I am comfortable with SI picking the team there, given SI's track record on such picks...

In fact, those predictions were made by Dr. Z (Paul Zimmerman), and while I like him a lot more than many around here, I think he is off-base in his reasoning (this is from an si.com article explaining how he arrived where he did on records):

"Pittsburgh, with everything in place, runs away with the AFC North. I had Cincinnati as a wild-card team and a dark horse Super Bowl entry. Then all that police-blotter stuff hit the fan. So, operating on a high moral plane, I recomputed and got them to 8-8. This might strike you as the worst kind of blue-nosed sanctimoniousness, but I don't care. I must face my neighbors, all of whom have many small children they're raising, and we mustn't lose sight of the real things in life. Steve McNair plays just enough games to get the Ravens into the postseason, but I have to admit that they stepped forward and filled Cincinnati's spot when I did the morality number on the Bengals.

OK, now for all you e-mailers who are rolling up your sleeves and getting ready to fire off cannons of rhetoric at your faithful narrator, the real adjustment I did on Cincy was very slight. Originally, I had them beating Cleveland twice. I changed it to a split. I wouldn't be surprised if they pull themselves together and make the playoffs and do well there. I just feel that the offseason turmoil could presage something inherently wrong with this team, and I don't want to get caught sleeping."

So there you have it, not because of going to press before CP's return, but because he is punishing them for the off-season. Sort of. I would agree with him, if they split with Cleveland it will make getting the playoffs pretty hard.

I am pretty confident if that team goes 8-8, it won't be because of the off-season shenanigans...but for those of you bothered by the pick, that's the stated reason.

[budicele]

I am comfortable with SI picking the team there, given SI's track record on such picks...

In fact, those predictions were made by Dr. Z (Paul Zimmerman), and while I like him a lot more than many around here, I think he is off-base in his reasoning (this is from an si.com article explaining how he arrived where he did on records):

"Pittsburgh, with everything in place, runs away with the AFC North. I had Cincinnati as a wild-card team and a dark horse Super Bowl entry. Then all that police-blotter stuff hit the fan. So, operating on a high moral plane, I recomputed and got them to 8-8. This might strike you as the worst kind of blue-nosed sanctimoniousness, but I don't care. I must face my neighbors, all of whom have many small children they're raising, and we mustn't lose sight of the real things in life. Steve McNair plays just enough games to get the Ravens into the postseason, but I have to admit that they stepped forward and filled Cincinnati's spot when I did the morality number on the Bengals.

OK, now for all you e-mailers who are rolling up your sleeves and getting ready to fire off cannons of rhetoric at your faithful narrator, the real adjustment I did on Cincy was very slight. Originally, I had them beating Cleveland twice. I changed it to a split. I wouldn't be surprised if they pull themselves together and make the playoffs and do well there. I just feel that the offseason turmoil could presage something inherently wrong with this team, and I don't want to get caught sleeping."

So there you have it, not because of going to press before CP's return, but because he is punishing them for the off-season. Sort of. I would agree with him, if they split with Cleveland it will make getting the playoffs pretty hard.

I am pretty confident if that team goes 8-8, it won't be because of the off-season shenanigans...but for those of you bothered by the pick, that's the stated reason.

Dr Z see's it like most of us......CJ is already getting upset because TJ is getting all the passes.....I think this team implodes by mid season...8-8 is the best they do

[duus]

Dr Z see's it like most of us......CJ is already getting upset because TJ is getting all the passes.....I think this team implodes by mid season...8-8 is the best they do

Dream on, brother. Let's see how to counter stupidity with stupidity (... bringing brain down to Pissburgher level) ...

"Wines Hard is already getting upset because wanna-be-a-real-back Willie is getting the ball too much ... I think this team implodes by mid season ... 8-8 is the best they do"

Stupid. Pissburghers ... all talk, no brains.

[semiotter]

I am comfortable with SI picking the team there, given SI's track record on such picks...

In fact, those predictions were made by Dr. Z (Paul Zimmerman), and while I like him a lot more than many around here, I think he is off-base in his reasoning (this is from an si.com article explaining how he arrived where he did on records):

"Pittsburgh, with everything in place, runs away with the AFC North. I had Cincinnati as a wild-card team and a dark horse Super Bowl entry. Then all that police-blotter stuff hit the fan. So, operating on a high moral plane, I recomputed and got them to 8-8. This might strike you as the worst kind of blue-nosed sanctimoniousness, but I don't care. I must face my neighbors, all of whom have many small children they're raising, and we mustn't lose sight of the real things in life. Steve McNair plays just enough games to get the Ravens into the postseason, but I have to admit that they stepped forward and filled Cincinnati's spot when I did the morality number on the Bengals.

OK, now for all you e-mailers who are rolling up your sleeves and getting ready to fire off cannons of rhetoric at your faithful narrator, the real adjustment I did on Cincy was very slight. Originally, I had them beating Cleveland twice. I changed it to a split. I wouldn't be surprised if they pull themselves together and make the playoffs and do well there. I just feel that the offseason turmoil could presage something inherently wrong with this team, and I don't want to get caught sleeping."

So there you have it, not because of going to press before CP's return, but because he is punishing them for the off-season. Sort of. I would agree with him, if they split with Cleveland it will make getting the playoffs pretty hard.

I am pretty confident if that team goes 8-8, it won't be because of the off-season shenanigans...but for those of you bothered by the pick, that's the stated reason.

Dr Z see's it like most of us......CJ is already getting upset because TJ is getting all the passes.....I think this team implodes by mid season...8-8 is the best they do

You know if you dont have anything smart to say or add to the topic shut the hell up!!

Dr Z see's it like most of us......CJ is already getting upset because TJ is getting all the passes.....I think this team implodes by mid season...8-8 is the best they do

Dream on, brother. Let's see how to counter stupidity with stupidity (... bringing brain down to Pissburgher level) ...

"Wines Hard is already getting upset because wanna-be-a-real-back Willie is getting the ball too much ... I think this team implodes by mid season ... 8-8 is the best they do"

Stupid. Pissburghers ... all talk, no brains.

Well Duus its his 2nd post and they just stick around on the avg. of 5 posts so we wont have to here much more from this bonehead.....

[jrandom42]

Here you go, duus. Not only is Porter one of the most feared guys in the NFL, per SI, but he's the No. 1 MOST-feared guy...

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/multimedi...content.10.html

But this SI thing basically reads more like "the top 10 biggest punks in the NFL." And yeah, that fits Porter to a "t".

Isn't this the same guy who has only half a sack against Levi in about 3 or 4 years?

[Ox]

I just pulled this piece of trash out of the mailbox. First thing I saw was Joey "I think I'll open my mouth and make an idiot out of myself again" Porter. Instantly, I knew the s**ttsburgh slant would be here. Looks like this issue is going to go into old pile under the cabinet with the old maxim's.

[Stripes]

Dr Z see's it like most of us......CJ is already getting upset because TJ is getting all the passes.....I think this team implodes by mid season...8-8 is the best they do

Way to pull hope out of your ass. Chad hasn't complained at all.

[crttylr]

I just pulled this piece of trash out of the mailbox. First thing I saw was Joey "I think I'll open my mouth and make an idiot out of myself again" Porter. Instantly, I knew the s**ttsburgh slant would be here. Looks like this issue is going to go into old pile under the cabinet with the old maxim's.

Oh the SI cover curse!!!!! Worked my boy Albert a few months back!!!! He hasnt been the same since!!!! See the problem with steeler fans is they have to have something to grasp on to, why after all the Pirates are holding up the basement in their respective division in baseball, and hockey, well....... the Penguins are self explanatory!!!! And Joey Porter and LT cannot even be mentioned in the same sentence, I would crap myself if I had LT lining up against me in his prime, certainly not Porter. About the only thing Porter is good at is running his mouth, and following up with mediocre at best play!!!! Porter needs to go to Chads school of how to talk smack and back it up with your play!!! What a pus*y!!!!! I lost a lot of respect for SI on this one!!!!

[Stripes]

I wouldn't put much stock into the SI curse this time, considering Carson was on the cover recently for his rehab.

[PMThor]

You have to take this 8-8 SI prediction with a grain of salt.

Hear me out.

This issue was written well before the Palmer issue had been clarified. In that vien, the Bengals would have had to worry about not having Carson for perhaps up to 4-5 games. Saying that, I can understand the 8-8 prediction. In actuality, saying the Bengals would go 8-8 with Wright leading the team, and considering the schedule, it is pretty much where I would have put us. It is a fair assessment.

Now though, I am pretty sure SI would drastically revamp their prediction considering that Carson is back, the team is pretty much totally intact, and the defense has been upgraded with Sam.

SI was hedging their bets by not knowing the status of Carson. They had no way to know which way he would go, so they made a prediction based on Carson not being back. That's understandable, albeit lazy reporting.

Also, by picking Pitt, they really shocked everyone there. Wow. SI is a mass market money machine, of course they aren't going to go out on a limb.

While SI has Pitt winning the division, some others have them not even making the playoffs. Thing is, predictions mean crap. This Bengals team has a chip on their collective shoulders, they have something to prove that last year was no fluke, and will come out and prove those naysayers wrong. 12-4. Division champ, homefield throughout the playoffs, Super Bowl champ.

[aaronburr]

Wow, those are some real guesses...man, 7-9. Ouch, I don't think that will be close. I would think 9-7, or even 10-6 if they squeak by a game. But I do agree with their idea to watch for the Vikings. They may be a sleeper but that is another topic in another area.

You realize he's talking about last year's predictions, right?

I've never been one to blame a prognosticator for not getting exact wins and losses right, but Dr. Z was way off last year. Even if you skip the rankings (Bengals at #20, just below Buffalo) and records and just look at the big picture, it's hard to see what he was basing his predictions on. Ravens and Jets in the playoffs? Texans go 8-8 while the Broncos go 7-9?

If those were my picks, I'd be hesitant to try again the next year.

That being said, I'd like to take a stab at my own prediction...

• Figure the Bengals go 4-2 in the division, 3-3 at the worst.
  
• Against the AFCW, I would expect wins against the Raiders and Chiefs, maybe split the Chargers and Broncos. 3-1 at best, but probably 2-2.
  
• Against the NFCW, the Panthers are the only team that really worries me. 3-1 seems reasonable.
  
• As for the Colts and Patriots, 1-1 seems very reasonable with room for an upset against a Edge-less Colts.
  

So that totals up to be between 11-5 and 9-7. Call it a wishy-washy 10-6. Of course you don't get published in SI by being wishy-washy. But I suspect I'm closer than Dr. Z.

[cincykent]

Bill Syken from SI has the Bengals in the Superbowl!!!! ..... and Carson Palmer as the MVP!!!

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2006/writ...ar.daily/1.html

Check it out

[Stripes]

I've seen the Bengals in a lot of Superbowl predictions now, but they all seem to think we'll lose the game! Nobody has the balls to give us the FULL nod.

[budicele]

the prediction is correct....bungles 8-8 at best

[AMC]

the prediction is correct....bungles 8-8 at best

Always glad to hear the term Bungles every now and then....makes me appreciate what we have now....

Just remember Steeler fans the term Bungles is not an indictment of the franchise anymore, but rather a reinforcement of the elevated standing of the current era....

Ahhhhh......