Is It Too Late For the Bengals To Save the 2007 Season?

[BengalszoneBilly]

This article brings up a lot of good points IMHO.

Is It Too Late For the Bengals To Save the 2007 Season?

Posted Sep 25th 2007 12:08PM by Sportz Assassin

Last season, the Patriots went into Cincinnati in Week 4 [just as they are doing this weekend] and manhandled the Bengals ... 38-13. Heading into that game, the Bengals were 3-0 and had allowed just 47 points all season.

These Cincinnati Bengals are 1-2 and have already allowed 95 points ... and while there are ten other 1-2 teams in the league, the question of "is the Bengals season salvageable" is a legit one. Cincy is staring a better version of the buzzsaw Patriots on Monday Night Football in Week 4 who are ripping up pretty good defenses ... while "good" isn't a word you can place anywhere near the Bengals' D.

Since the last time these two met ... the Bengals are 6-10. Could this be a must win?

In some ways ... yes. The Bengals are already two games behind the Steelers [though with both contests still coming]. How the Bengals handle the Patriots on Monday will be a harbinger for how they can deal with Pittsburgh. Both are high scoring teams that are well coached, have great defenses and have had "Super success". If Cincy looks foolish against New England ... we can probably expect the same against the Steelers.

So that would leave one of the two wildcard bids. With the Pats running away with the AFC East and the Colts, likely, locked into a playoff spot somehow ... there will be a ton of teams looking to run with the Bengals. In the AFC North, the Baltimore Ravens [who the Bengals got their lone win] are 2-1 and talented enough to challenge for the wildcard. So do the non-Indy teams in the AFC South: Houston, Tennessee and Jacksonville. Plus, you can expect the Chargers and Broncos to be in the hunt as well.

Look at those teams I just named. All have the ability to play defense. The Ravens, Jags, Chargers and Broncos have established reputations of great defensive units. The Houston Texans defense is emerging into a scary one. The Titans' defense has looked pretty good thus far ... especially when you figure they've seen the Saints and Colts already.

The schedule is also tough. After the Pats, the Bengals travel to Arrowhead Stadium [one of the league's toughest venues] to face the Chiefs. They also have roadies to Baltimore, Buffalo and San Francisco ... plus the Cards and Titans at home [and the aforementioned two Steeler games]. Yes, they are some soft spots [they have the Dolphins, Rams and the home rematch with the Browns left] but everyone has easy games somewhere on their skeddie.

Sure, the Bengals are one freakin' stop against the Browns and Seahawks away from being 3-0. But, if not for Steve McNair gift-wrapping turnovers in Week 1, the Bengals could also be 0-3 right now. Most likely, Cincy could be heading to their Week 5 bye with a 1-3 record with less answers than questions about a defense that is made up of youth [Leon Hall, Ahmad Brooks] and quick fix free agents [Dhani Jones, Lemar Marshall].

What scares Bengals fans the most is that the Patriots will come into the Queen City, at night, on ESPN's national stage and get embarrassed by the surgical New England offense. What also scares Bengals fans is that it isn't 1999 anymore ... and even "sticking in there" and losing in a close one to the Pats means nothing. It is about using this thing that is built now ... not trying to build.

[ONYX]

No, it is not too late at all.....even if the Bengals lose on Monday. Granted, their margin for error will

have gotten smaller but keep in consideration the schedule gets easier as the season progresses.

[BengalszoneBilly]

No, it is not too late at all.....even if the Bengals lose on Monday. Granted, their margin for error will

have gotten smaller but keep in consideration the schedule gets easier as the season progresses.

My problem with this theory it that the Bengals will probably play down to the level of these alleged "easier" teams. It's not like it ain't happened before you know.

[ONYX]

No, it is not too late at all.....even if the Bengals lose on Monday. Granted, their margin for error will

have gotten smaller but keep in consideration the schedule gets easier as the season progresses.

My problem with this theory it that the Bengals will probably play down to the level of these alleged "easier" teams. It's not like it ain't happened before you know.

It all depends on how big of a hole they dig for themselves. It seems like this team plays its best football when

it's back is against the wall and the gun is to their heads. I will say this though, I believe this game against

the Patriots will reveal a lot about this team. If they get blown out the water, it could be a long season but if they

give the Patriots hell, win or lose, I feel we will be OK.

[chandon]

No, it is not too late at all.....even if the Bengals lose on Monday. Granted, their margin for error will

have gotten smaller but keep in consideration the schedule gets easier as the season progresses.

My problem with this theory it that the Bengals will probably play down to the level of these alleged "easier" teams. It's not like it ain't happened before you know.

It all depends on how big of a hole they dig for themselves. It seems like this team plays its best football when

it's back is against the wall and the gun is to their heads. I will say this though, I believe this game against

the Patriots will reveal a lot about this team. If they get blown out the water, it could be a long season but if they

give the Patriots hell, win or lose, I feel we will be OK.

My feeling is unfortunately they have already amply demonstrated what this season's team is about. I have seen it too many times in previous seasons....the Bengals have an incredible ability to win, but unfortunately they always find a way to lose. It's always close...it's always critical and it's always dropped balls / missed tackles/ muffed kicks/ and especially turnovers. Unless Lewis starts playing hardball with his co-ordinators, and unless the team starts playing LIKE a team with some passion and desire this season will be another dismal flop. Chandon

[damiancasey]

well...by the numbers it's not to late but...I think you would need to be a real miracle worker to turn our defense into anything more than the joke that it is...

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

well...by the numbers it's not to late but...I think you would need to be a real miracle worker to turn our defense into anything more than the joke that it is...

I think the defense *could* be 'good enough'. If we can get back Jeanty and JJoe at full strength, and now with Dhani Jones, we have enough talent on D to keep us in games.

So far, it's not the talent level that's screwed us mightily, it's breakdowns in the secondary which I attribute to insufficient preparation and bad schemes.

I'm more worried about our running game right now, which is attributable to some combination of issues with Rudi and our O-line.

[COB]

No way is it too late. Both losses have been close, competitive in both games. I just can't believe the number of fans who, three games into the season, are ready to jump off a bridge. This team could still win the AFC North, or could still be a wildcard team. The league is competitive now, and the breaks tend to even out. Lets say in the Seahawks game Deltha O'Neil actually catches a pick thrown right to him, then lets say the refs call that bizarre qb catch and fumble a catch and fumble. We probably win that game. Two breaks. Games are coming where the other side suffers the bad breaks. This team isn't cursed. Look at the schedule, grab the rose colored glasses, and altogether now, scream, "Whoo Deeyy!!"

[BengalszoneBilly]

Look at the schedule, grab the rose colored glasses, and altogether now, scream, "Whoo Deeyy!!"

I've done that SOOO many times before, that I find myself unable to do it again without seeing some kind of steady improvement over 3-5 games. No more look okay to borderline good one weekend, the revert back to "El Stinko" the next.

[The PatternMaster]

This article brings up a lot of good points IMHO.

Is It Too Late For the Bengals To Save the 2007 Season?

Posted Sep 25th 2007 12:08PM by Sportz Assassin

Last season, the Patriots went into Cincinnati in Week 4 [just as they are doing this weekend] and manhandled the Bengals ... 38-13. Heading into that game, the Bengals were 3-0 and had allowed just 47 points all season.

These Cincinnati Bengals are 1-2 and have already allowed 95 points ... and while there are ten other 1-2 teams in the league, the question of "is the Bengals season salvageable" is a legit one. Cincy is staring a better version of the buzzsaw Patriots on Monday Night Football in Week 4 who are ripping up pretty good defenses ... while "good" isn't a word you can place anywhere near the Bengals' D.

Since the last time these two met ... the Bengals are 6-10. Could this be a must win?

In some ways ... yes. The Bengals are already two games behind the Steelers [though with both contests still coming]. How the Bengals handle the Patriots on Monday will be a harbinger for how they can deal with Pittsburgh. Both are high scoring teams that are well coached, have great defenses and have had "Super success". If Cincy looks foolish against New England ... we can probably expect the same against the Steelers.

So that would leave one of the two wildcard bids. With the Pats running away with the AFC East and the Colts, likely, locked into a playoff spot somehow ... there will be a ton of teams looking to run with the Bengals. In the AFC North, the Baltimore Ravens [who the Bengals got their lone win] are 2-1 and talented enough to challenge for the wildcard. So do the non-Indy teams in the AFC South: Houston, Tennessee and Jacksonville. Plus, you can expect the Chargers and Broncos to be in the hunt as well.

Look at those teams I just named. All have the ability to play defense. The Ravens, Jags, Chargers and Broncos have established reputations of great defensive units. The Houston Texans defense is emerging into a scary one. The Titans' defense has looked pretty good thus far ... especially when you figure they've seen the Saints and Colts already.

The schedule is also tough. After the Pats, the Bengals travel to Arrowhead Stadium [one of the league's toughest venues] to face the Chiefs. They also have roadies to Baltimore, Buffalo and San Francisco ... plus the Cards and Titans at home [and the aforementioned two Steeler games]. Yes, they are some soft spots [they have the Dolphins, Rams and the home rematch with the Browns left] but everyone has easy games somewhere on their skeddie.

Sure, the Bengals are one freakin' stop against the Browns and Seahawks away from being 3-0. But, if not for Steve McNair gift-wrapping turnovers in Week 1, the Bengals could also be 0-3 right now. Most likely, Cincy could be heading to their Week 5 bye with a 1-3 record with less answers than questions about a defense that is made up of youth [Leon Hall, Ahmad Brooks] and quick fix free agents [Dhani Jones, Lemar Marshall].

What scares Bengals fans the most is that the Patriots will come into the Queen City, at night, on ESPN's national stage and get embarrassed by the surgical New England offense. What also scares Bengals fans is that it isn't 1999 anymore ... and even "sticking in there" and losing in a close one to the Pats means nothing. It is about using this thing that is built now ... not trying to build.

I think this guy is a little of base..first off last year we played at the Pats @ NE, big difference between playing at home and on the road, big difference.

Secondly he makes it sound like the Chiefs, Buffalo, and 49'ers are championship quality teams, we can beat all of these teams if we play good football.

Like he said we are close to being 3-0, so let's keep that in mind before we go writing off the season in week 4.

[GregCook]

If the Bengals can play even until November then they will be fine. Perry and Henry hopefully will be back by then. Jeanty should be back on defense. Brooks, Hall and JJ will be alittle better too. The team has lost way too many key players to be a good team right now. Plus a few more bad players/coaches might be released by then to make things more interesting.

[damiancasey]

If the Bengals can play even until November then they will be fine. Perry and Henry hopefully will be back by then. Jeanty should be back on defense. Brooks, Hall and JJ will be alittle better too. The team has lost way too many key players to be a good team right now. Plus a few more bad players/coaches might be released by then to make things more interesting.

My question is...will Henry and Perry really be able to contribute at that point? It will have been how many months since they've played in a REAL game?

Man, I really hope so.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

If the Bengals can play even until November then they will be fine. Perry and Henry hopefully will be back by then. Jeanty should be back on defense. Brooks, Hall and JJ will be alittle better too. The team has lost way too many key players to be a good team right now. Plus a few more bad players/coaches might be released by then to make things more interesting.

My question is...will Henry and Perry really be able to contribute at that point? It will have been how many months since they've played in a REAL game?

Man, I really hope so.

I think Henry will make an immediate impact. Nothing against Glen Holt, but it ain't close.

[James_Brooks21]

I think this guy is a little of base..first off last year we played at the Pats @ NE, big difference between playing at home and on the road, big difference.

Secondly he makes it sound like the Chiefs, Buffalo, and 49'ers are championship quality teams, we can beat all of these teams if we play good football.

Like he said we are close to being 3-0, so let's keep that in mind before we go writing off the season in week 4.

[BengalByTheBay]

If the Bengals can play even until November then they will be fine. Perry and Henry hopefully will be back by then. Jeanty should be back on defense. Brooks, Hall and JJ will be alittle better too. The team has lost way too many key players to be a good team right now. Plus a few more bad players/coaches might be released by then to make things more interesting.

Ding...ding....we have a winner! EDT, I think you've got the right mix here. Why is week 4 the time to say that a loss scuttles the season? This was always going to be the toughest part of the schedule and, with the injuries, it's not realistic to expect the team to win this one or give up. See me after the bye when we can judge whether any of the borderline injuries are actually going to heal and get some quality reps. from guys at that point. Jeanty, Ahmad (at 100%), etc., can make a difference. The OT situation may be a little clearer. I just can't put the "must win" tag on this game. The lineup is likely to look a lot different vs. KC and - even if we are 1-3 going into that game, we could be looking at .500 before Pitt. There are just too many variables right now. Hell, we could be way worse at that point too. Who knows?