ShulaSteakhouse Posted December 11, 2006 Report Share Posted December 11, 2006 I say yes if they keep playing like they have been the last month. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoosierCat Posted December 11, 2006 Report Share Posted December 11, 2006 Hmmmm. Nope, can't get behind the Bengals as the best in the league yet. But they are making a pretty good argument that they deserve to be included among the NFL's elite. If they win Monday night in Indy, your case gets stronger.As for a Super Bowl run...well, like Peter King wrote in his MMQB column today, they will have to run a gauntlet of those elite teams to get there. Odds are long. But if they do, well, then, no doubt they are the best in the biz. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tasher Posted December 11, 2006 Report Share Posted December 11, 2006 I think that an argument can be made for the Bengals right now, but lets clinch a playoff berth first, before we begin the SuperBowl discussion, even if I am Blind Homer #3. But I like the direction, A LOT!Who Dey! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Whur CHad At? Posted December 11, 2006 Report Share Posted December 11, 2006 The more I see threads like this, the more we are being jinxed. One game at a time, we are playing great, but not the best right now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShulaSteakhouse Posted December 11, 2006 Author Report Share Posted December 11, 2006 This is based on how I "feel" about them and not their schedule though -at one point in my life I thought I would die before the Bengals' finally got that Lombardi. Maybe some of you are too young to have watched this team since '78 and endure the 10 years between two close losses to Montana in the 80's - crushing last minute defeats - and then to have to endure 15 years of futility like pro sports has never seen until Marvin came along.I'm almost 40 years old now and when you see a team capable of doing it - it's time for that team to play with a higher sense of purpose. I simply have no excuse for a team this good to "not" make it, barring catastrophe unforseen.What I've seen the last 3 weeks is the best team in the NFL bar none - seriously - not being a homer here and you all know I'm no optimist.What elite teams do they have left? Indy? Denver is 7-6 and reeling. Pittsburgh at home? You have to win that one.They just beat the division champs and the hottest team in the NFC in New Orleans.They very well should've pounded the Chargers into submission, but lived and learned that lesson, and came out of it much better than they were on defense.I can see the sense of urgency and purpose they are playing with now - it's real - they "get it" finally - and there is no dominant team this year. I'm telling you if they play just like they are now for 5 more games - we'll see them in the SB. I think we lost sight of how talented this team is on both sides of the ball and on ST's. At this point I put a big picture of that trophy up in the locker room and have each player slap it before every practice and game. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJJackson Posted December 11, 2006 Report Share Posted December 11, 2006 I'd put the Bengals in the top 5 or 6 right now, playing as they are at the moment. They have too many holes on defense for me to consider them number 1. They are certainly playing defense well enough right now that - if they can continue at that level - they can certainly advance in the playoffs.I think they need to take 2 of the final 3 to make the playoffs, and none of the remaining games incl Pittsburgh will be a gimme. Thank you Buffalo for taking the Jets down a game, and GO TITANS (who no one wants to face right now) against the Jags this week Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MacD BengalFan Posted December 11, 2006 Report Share Posted December 11, 2006 I would wait until the Bengals win the Super Bowl before anointing them the Best in the NFL. They still have 3 more games left and have not even clinched a playoff spot either. Winning the Super Bowl is a sure indication as to who is the Best team in the NFL.Being Blind Homer #4, one whould think I would jump on the Best in the NFL bandwagon. I am just not sold on that yet. But they are sure making a statement at the right time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tasher Posted December 11, 2006 Report Share Posted December 11, 2006 This is based on how I "feel" about them and not their schedule though -at one point in my life I thought I would die before the Bengals' finally got that Lombardi. Maybe some of you are too young to have watched this team since '78 and endure the 10 years between two close losses to Montana in the 80's - crushing last minute defeats - and then to have to endure 15 years of futility like pro sports has never seen until Marvin came along.I hear ya, Steak...I especially remember rewatching the replay of XVI during a rebroadcast when the strike was on. Live announcers narrated the tape and all they could talk about was the horrendous officiating that handed the game to the 9ers. Anderson and Ross were unbelievable and the defense in the 2nd half was some of the best ever in the Super Bowl. The long droughts have been very hard to weather. But cheer up, it is now time for a return of the optimism in regards to the Bengals in the Marvin Lewis Era. Even if this team does not get it done in this year, things look very good for a lot of years to come. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
semiotter Posted December 11, 2006 Report Share Posted December 11, 2006 I just think its San Diegos year....LTs the man...plus that def. is great........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tasher Posted December 11, 2006 Report Share Posted December 11, 2006 Mary (uh, I mean Merry) frickin CHRISTMAS!Holy Schmoles! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AGrizzlyBaer Posted December 11, 2006 Report Share Posted December 11, 2006 i think alot of us are still waiting to see how the d does against indy. now if we see another great performance i think you will see a massive swing to say the bengals could maybe take the chargers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bengalboomer7 Posted December 11, 2006 Report Share Posted December 11, 2006 I still can't stop thinking we're a bad penalty(TB) and a mental lapse(SD) away from 10-3 I also remember speaking very highly of our depth in preseason. Well, that is definitely showing up now. With all the injuries we've had, and to be where we are, you have to be talented three deep, and we're showing that.I wouldn't go as far to say best, yet. But I can guarentee you if we stay hot, no one will want to play us in january, and I would think the bengals would especially want revenge on San Diego. Right now, things are setting up nicely Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjakq27 Posted December 11, 2006 Report Share Posted December 11, 2006 This is based on how I "feel" about them and not their schedule though -at one point in my life I thought I would die before the Bengals' finally got that Lombardi. Maybe some of you are too young to have watched this team since '78 and endure the 10 years between two close losses to Montana in the 80's - crushing last minute defeats - and then to have to endure 15 years of futility like pro sports has never seen until Marvin came along.I'm almost 40 years old now and when you see a team capable of doing it - it's time for that team to play with a higher sense of purpose. I simply have no excuse for a team this good to "not" make it, barring catastrophe unforseen.What I've seen the last 3 weeks is the best team in the NFL bar none - seriously - not being a homer here and you all know I'm no optimist.What elite teams do they have left? Indy? Denver is 7-6 and reeling. Pittsburgh at home? You have to win that one.They just beat the division champs and the hottest team in the NFC in New Orleans.They very well should've pounded the Chargers into submission, but lived and learned that lesson, and came out of it much better than they were on defense.I can see the sense of urgency and purpose they are playing with now - it's real - they "get it" finally - and there is no dominant team this year. I'm telling you if they play just like they are now for 5 more games - we'll see them in the SB. I think we lost sight of how talented this team is on both sides of the ball and on ST's. At this point I put a big picture of that trophy up in the locker room and have each player slap it before every practice and game.Excellent summary. They will have played everybody in the AFC there is to play with the exception of Jacksonville (whom they played last year) and the Jets.Four weeks ago I thought the season was over. Right now I think they are just getting started. I think this team feeds off of a little desperation. Now it's time to take the next step and win at Indy. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stripes Posted December 11, 2006 Report Share Posted December 11, 2006 When the Bengals are on their game, they are among the best. I don't think you'll find many unbiased observers who'd say otherwise. Problem is, there are a lot of teams out there who can say the same thing "when they're on their game." The Bengals have to prove they can play at this high a level more consistently than they have the last two seasons. I don't see a Superbowl, honestly... Wild card teams don't go on Steeler runs very often, and two years of that in a row is a bit much for me to hope for.They will go as far as the defense takes them this season, IMO, and there's no telling whether that'll be missing the playoffs, one and done, conference championship, or even winning the big one. Next year, when health sides with Cincinnati, they may very well be unstoppable. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rwalling Posted December 11, 2006 Report Share Posted December 11, 2006 I still can't stop thinking we're a bad penalty(TB) and a mental lapse(SD) away from 10-3 Those same thoughts appear to be motivating and pissing of the team. Good for them!Now let's prove it against Indy and Denver! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjakq27 Posted December 11, 2006 Report Share Posted December 11, 2006 When the Bengals are on their game, they are among the best. I don't think you'll find many unbiased observers who'd say otherwise. Problem is, there are a lot of teams out there who can say the same thing "when they're on their game." The Bengals have to prove they can play at this high a level more consistently than they have the last two seasons. I don't see a Superbowl, honestly... Wild card teams don't go on Steeler runs very often, and two years of that in a row is a bit much for me to hope for.They will go as far as the defense takes them this season, IMO, and there's no telling whether that'll be missing the playoffs, one and done, conference championship, or even winning the big one. Next year, when health sides with Cincinnati, they may very well be unstoppable.Besides the usual suspects, we will play the AFC East and the NFC West as part of the scheduling rotation next year. The other two games will be the AFC West and AFC South teams that finish in the same spot as the Bengals. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Wraith Posted December 11, 2006 Report Share Posted December 11, 2006 Heck throw is another bad roughing the passer penalty or a dropped INT right in the hands of John Joe and we are 11-2 (ATL) or a ridiculous non-call for pass interference on (BAL) and we are 12-1 we only have been soundly beaten in one game all year (NE) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stripes Posted December 11, 2006 Report Share Posted December 11, 2006 Honestly, all those what-ifs are meaningless aside arguably from the Tampa PI call. The Bengals have played like an 8-5 team this season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
101Airborne Posted December 11, 2006 Report Share Posted December 11, 2006 Honestly, all those what-ifs are meaningless aside arguably from the Tampa PI call. The Bengals have played like an 8-5 team this season.I have to agree here. Look at the Steelers and you can see how a 6-7 team can say the same thing about one game after another. We are an 8-5 team because we won 8 and lost 5, I realize that sounds retarded but hear me out. Our defense has simply not been great. Yes, they have had great games, but inconsistancy is the mark of a middle-of-the-pack team. I'll give us the TB game, since that was just horrendously pathetic and totally inexcuseable, but the rest of those close games should not have been close if we were consistant. Every team has greatness, playmakers and the chance to win every week; few teams have the consistancy to win nearly every week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
derekshank Posted December 12, 2006 Report Share Posted December 12, 2006 Our defense has simply not been great. Yes, they have had great games, but inconsistancy is the mark of a middle-of-the-pack team.There hasn't been anybody on this board that has been harder on the defense than me... but you can't put all 5 losses on this defense.Patriots loss - It was a debacle on defense... but was equally horrific on offense. Turnovers on offense gave the Patriots the ball in Bengals territory 3 times. You don't win games that way.Tampa Bay loss - The offense only scored 13 points against a defense that gives up more than 3 TD's a game. Our offense should be able to win a game when the defense allows only 14 points.Falcons loss - Yeah... the Bengals defense let us down here.Ravens loss - 14 points off early turnovers. Only 12 points from that point on. Not the defense's fault.Chargers loss - Definetly the defense's fault.We've played like an 8-5 team... but I'd say 3 of those losses fall more on the offense than the defense. Getting healthy and having Palmer back in stride, we're playing much more like the 10-3 or 11-2 team that we should be. We'll only get as far as the defense will take us... but when the offense is scoring points, it takes a lot of pressure off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jjakq27 Posted December 12, 2006 Report Share Posted December 12, 2006 Honestly, all those what-ifs are meaningless aside arguably from the Tampa PI call. The Bengals have played like an 8-5 team this season.I have to agree here. Look at the Steelers and you can see how a 6-7 team can say the same thing about one game after another. We are an 8-5 team because we won 8 and lost 5, I realize that sounds retarded but hear me out. Our defense has simply not been great. Yes, they have had great games, but inconsistancy is the mark of a middle-of-the-pack team. I'll give us the TB game, since that was just horrendously pathetic and totally inexcuseable, but the rest of those close games should not have been close if we were consistant. Every team has greatness, playmakers and the chance to win every week; few teams have the consistancy to win nearly every week. There isn't a big difference between 6-10 and 10-6. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazkal Posted December 12, 2006 Report Share Posted December 12, 2006 Top 5 mybe but Chargers are best team in the nfl with bears close behind.(bears are awesome besides at QB) also our defense well played good was vs Browns,Ravens and raiders 3 of the worst offenses in the nfl. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stilldiesel Posted December 12, 2006 Report Share Posted December 12, 2006 You guys won't jinx your team. All the Steeler homers on my board were saying lets win 8 in a row after you beat us on 12/04/05. The point is the Bengals and Jags BOTH have the look the Steelers had at the end of last year. There will be no easy outs in the AFC playoffs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kazkal Posted December 12, 2006 Report Share Posted December 12, 2006 Awww diesel <3 I knew I posted on your board for a reason...then again they still think they'll make it in to the playoffs this year hehehe Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duus Posted December 12, 2006 Report Share Posted December 12, 2006 You guys won't jinx your team. All the Steeler homers on my board were saying lets win 8 in a row after you beat us on 12/04/05. The point is the Bengals and Jags BOTH have the look the Steelers had at the end of last year. There will be no easy outs in the AFC playoffs.Dude, why must you come here on our Bengal board and continue to ....... force me to eat my words that all Urine fans are punks? Seriously, good post. I just hope you are correct. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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