Examining our schedule

[Clackwoods]

Looking at our schedule I come to realize that from weeks 11 to 13 we have been granted a very easy schedule. We play the Raiders, Browns, and Lions in successive weeks. If we get to that point at 5 and 4 we could very easily be 8 and 4 heading into the stretch. Then we would have to win 2 of our next four games against the Vikings, Chargers, Chiefs, and Jets.

I see our schedule ending up like this (This is me being realistic):

Baltimore- Split 1/1

Pittsburgh- Lose both

Cleveland- Win Both

Rest:

Denver- Win

Green Bay- Win

Houston- ?----We will lose one and win one of these two

Chicago- ?----We will lose one and win one of these two

Oakland- Win

Detroit- Win

Minny- Lose

San Diego- Lose

Kansas City- Win

New York Jets- Win

If we can somehow beat Pitt at home (Which we hardly ever do) then we could go into the bye week at 5 and 2. I then think we will go into those easy three games at 6 and 3. We could be sitting right where the Jets were last season at 9 and 3 going into the final four games in the driver seat of the AFC.

What do you think?

I have attached a poll to get your votes. On the bottom poll you can vote for more than one!

[Bearcat1975]

Baltimore- L L

Pittsburgh- L L

Cleveland- W L

Rest:

Denver- L

Green Bay- L

Houston- W

Chicago- L

Oakland- W

Detroit- W

Minny- L

San Diego- L

Kansas City- W

New York Jets- W

6-10

[Clackwoods]

Baltimore- L L

Pittsburgh- L L

Cleveland- W L

Rest:

Denver- L

Green Bay- L

Houston- W

Chicago- L

Oakland- W

Detroit- W

Minny- L

San Diego- L

Kansas City- W

New York Jets- W

6-10

We almost always beat Baltimore at least once. I could see them falling down this season because of the loss of some key defensive players and their coordinator. Look at what happened to Chicago's defense when Rivera left.

Also, you think we will lose to the Broncos? They have a garbage QB, and a crappy defense. I think their coach will be fired during the season.

Green Bay I could see, but their defense is in transition and they didn't really do anything to improve their team in the offseason outside of their draft.

If San Diego is bitten by the injury bug I could see us beating them, and I don't think Chicago will be unbeatable, even though I love Cutler in that uniform.

[Bearcat1975]

We almost always beat Baltimore at least once. I could see them falling down this season because of the loss of some key defensive players and their coordinator. Look at what happened to Chicago's defense when Rivera left.

True. I could see us spliting with Baltimore. If we win one, it will be the 1st meeting I am guessing. That would put them at 7-9.

Also, you think we will lose to the Broncos? They have a garbage QB, and a crappy defense. I think their coach will be fired during the season.

Well it is the season opener so I think we won't have our LT yet and it will be the rookie center's first game. I just don't have a good feeling about it. I wouldn't be surprised if Palmer is already injured at this point. I don't see this as a guaranteed win at all. 7-9 still.

Green Bay I could see, but their defense is in transition and they didn't really do anything to improve their team in the offseason outside of their draft.

I just don't see us going up to Lambeau and beating the Packers with this year's squad. But maybe, so I'll give this a W. That puts us at 8-8.

If San Diego is bitten by the injury bug I could see us beating them, and I don't think Chicago will be unbeatable, even though I love Cutler in that uniform.

Maybe we take one out of the two here. 9-7. But I don't think 9-7 in the AFC North will do any better than a tie for 2nd place with a loss of tiebreaker due to poor division schedule.

So I would revise and say 6-10 probably but 9-7 optimistically.

[whizzo]

realistically, i'd say a 7-9 record sounds reasonable. we'd need a lot of contribution from rookies (especially Oline and passrush) to jump into playoff contention.

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

Nothing would surprise me this year. I'd believe anything between 4-12 and 13-3. Lots of question marks, but lots of potential. Should be fun, in any event.

[Bearcat1975]

Nothing would surprise me this year. I'd believe anything between 4-12 and 13-3. Lots of question marks, but lots of potential. Should be fun, in any event.

13-3?!

Me personally, I could see anything between 0-16 and 16-0. Lots of potential, but lots of question marks. I wouldn't call watching the Steelers play the Bengals "fun" though. Felt more like taking medicine to me.

[HairOnFire]

Well it is the season opener so I think we won't have our LT yet and it will be the rookie center's first game. I just don't have a good feeling about it. I wouldn't be surprised if Palmer is already injured at this point.

Palmer already injured by the opener?

Because you just don't have a good felling, ehh?

Well isn't that a typical Bearcat post? First you start by looking at everything from a negative view. Then add your own personal Bearcat touches by adding something incredibly stupid based almost completely upon your own emotional weakness.

Worthless.

[Bearcat1975]

Well it is the season opener so I think we won't have our LT yet and it will be the rookie center's first game. I just don't have a good feeling about it. I wouldn't be surprised if Palmer is already injured at this point.

Palmer already injured by the opener?

Because you just don't have a good felling, ehh?

Well isn't that a typical Bearcat post? First you start by looking at everything from a negative view. Then add your own personal Bearcat touches by adding something incredibly stupid based almost completely upon your own emotional weakness.

Worthless.

Its all you do. And now here you are once again trying to ruin another thread.

Sad... you really have sunken to troll status at this point. Do you even offer opinions here anymore, other than finding various ways to say "Bearcat sucks?" Seriously, you are at an all-time low here..ask anybody. Couldn't you have at least contributed to the thread before flaming away? Sad...

[whizzo]

haha i'm with HoF here... that post of yours was just ridiculous (the first one, not the last o... ok, nevermind. both.).

[jonahdsage]

Earlier in the week I was speaking with my non-bengal fan father. He was impressed with our draft and expects an improvement this year over last -- particularly with our rising D. I began throwing teams out at him looking for shooting from the hip "lose/win" opinions -- him not knowing I was going down our schedule. At the end of the conversation he had us unknowingly winning 13 games. Now, i don't mean to turn this into a "my dad could beat up your dad," thread, but rather, as one verging on blind homerism, any chance I have for optimism I embrace gladly. What's difficult about this season for me is how many games we have that I could see going either way (splitting ravens and steelers, chargers, packers, vikings).

As far as the above post . . . It is moderately surprising how every thread seems to have the same posts by the same users across the whole board. it amazes me how much posting some are capable of. I suppose, though, if you have 15+ years of bitter fandom under your built the pessimism and bitterness is never too far below the surface (understandably).

[Kazkal]

Baltimore- L L

6-10

We almost always beat Baltimore at least once. I could see them falling down this season because of the loss of some key defensive players and their coordinator. Look at what happened to Chicago's defense when Rivera left.

Well they always seem to have a successful Defensive Coordinator though since Marvin Lewis they havn't had one bad one....

With that being said we still almost always split the Ravens since Marvin Lewis came to town and I think they'll drop off some too but still be good.

Sad... you really have sunken to troll status at this point

[derekshank]

Well it is the season opener so I think we won't have our LT yet and it will be the rookie center's first game. I just don't have a good feeling about it. I wouldn't be surprised if Palmer is already injured at this point.

Palmer already injured by the opener?

Because you just don't have a good felling, ehh?

Well isn't that a typical Bearcat post? First you start by looking at everything from a negative view. Then add your own personal Bearcat touches by adding something incredibly stupid based almost completely upon your own emotional weakness.

Worthless.

Its all you do. And now here you are once again trying to ruin another thread.

Sad... you really have sunken to troll status at this point. Do you even offer opinions here anymore, other than finding various ways to say "Bearcat sucks?" Seriously, you are at an all-time low here..ask anybody. Couldn't you have at least contributed to the thread before flaming away? Sad...

Funny that you have once again hijacked a thread by spouting off with your stupid unfounded speculation... and then claim it is Hair who has ruined another thread simply because he calls you out on your bulls**t.

And before you bitch some more about how others will call you out and "ruin another thread"... I want to tell you that I'm glad you come here. If you didn't there wouldn't be much to talk about. It's good for the board to have a Steelers fan who thinks he's a Bengals fan around. There simply wasn't enough unwavering bitching before you came here.

[Bearcat1975]

Funny that you have once again hijacked a thread by spouting off with your stupid unfounded speculation... and then claim it is Hair who has ruined another thread simply because he calls you out on your bulls**t.

Wha? Speculation was what was asked for in this thread. There is little doubt who hijacked this thread. Maybe you need to re-read the thread title and original post?

And before you bitch some more about how others will call you out and "ruin another thread"... I want to tell you that I'm glad you come here. If you didn't there wouldn't be much to talk about. It's good for the board to have a Steelers fan who thinks he's a Bengals fan around. There simply wasn't enough unwavering bitching before you came here.

A Steelers fan? Now you're getting nasty.

[kingwilly]

Baltimore- L L W

Pittsburgh- WL L

Cleveland- W L

Rest:

Denver- L

Green Bay- L W

Houston- W

Chicago- L W

Oakland- W

Detroit- W

Minny- L W

San Diego- L

Kansas City- W

New York Jets- W

6-10

wow, cheer up.

I predict 11-5

[Wraith]

Baltimore- Split 1/1

Pittsburgh- L/L

Cleveland- Win Both

Rest:

Denver- Win

Green Bay- Win

Houston- ?----We will lose one and win one of these two

Chicago- ?----We will lose one and win one of these two

Oakland- Win

Detroit- Win

Minny- Lose

San Diego- Lose

Kansas City- Win

New York Jets- Win

10-6 is my suggestion. I think that we may be able to do a split for Pittsburgh ala 2005.

[HairOnFire]

Sad... you really have sunken to troll status at this point.

I'd say you fit the description of a troll far better than I do. After all, you rarely say anything positive about the very team you claim to be a fan of, and if others don't agree with your need to be negative about everything you quickly offer insults about how they don't understand things as well as you. Oh, and then there's the way you spread lies and half-truths in nearly every post you write.

Do you even offer opinions here anymore, other than finding various ways to say "Bearcat sucks?"

I offer opinions about everything, including all of the many ways you suck.

Seriously, you are at an all-time low here..ask anybody.

Correction. That should read....I MAY be at an all-time low so far. Because for all either of us knows I'll be even worse tomorrow.

[HairOnFire]

haha i'm with HoF here... that post of yours was just ridiculous (the first one, not the last o... ok, nevermind. both.).

The first post, the one that followed, or for that matter....all of them.

Whine. Bitch. Moan.

[Clackwoods]

You guys should start a new thread for all your bitching and fighting...It really does take from the thread (I know I can occasionally lose my temper, but you all just drag it on).

Getting back to the thread:

I like our rookies being able to make an impact this season because of their positions.

MLB- Patrick Willis, Demarco Ryans, Jon Beason, and yes even Odell Thurman have all made a huge impact in their rookie seasons

OT- Last two years Jake Long, and Joe Thomas....That isn't including all the other great OT's that have positively impacted their franchises from either tackle spot

Then you have to include the fact that we are getting a beastly OLB and a Franchise QB back

Then you also have to add in the additions of a five time pro bowl safety and a Punter that is worth a s**t

I see a big jump from our second year players of Sims and Caldwell as well.

All this bodes well for the upcoming season and I believe my prediction of 10-6 or 11-5 is pretty accurate

[derekshank]

Funny that you have once again hijacked a thread by spouting off with your stupid unfounded speculation... and then claim it is Hair who has ruined another thread simply because he calls you out on your bulls**t.

Wha? Speculation was what was asked for in this thread. There is little doubt who hijacked this thread. Maybe you need to re-read the thread title and original post?

No... the speculation asked for in this thread is what you think the Bengals record will be. If you think they will be 6-10... that's fine. I think they will be more like 8-8, but you think they are worse than I do. That opinion is completely acceptable to me.

What is ridiculous is your reasoning. You speculate that Palmer will be injured before the season starts with no evidence to back it up.

You complain that people think that the O-line is improved because of Andre Smith and Cook/Luigs. Well, you have no evidence that they will be worse... especially considering that the O-Line was better when Levi wasn't on the field. So how are they going to be worse?

You're speculation regarding Palmer is ridiculous. It's not fair. It's biased. It's stupid.

[Bearcat1975]

Funny that you have once again hijacked a thread by spouting off with your stupid unfounded speculation... and then claim it is Hair who has ruined another thread simply because he calls you out on your bulls**t.

Wha? Speculation was what was asked for in this thread. There is little doubt who hijacked this thread. Maybe you need to re-read the thread title and original post?

No... the speculation asked for in this thread is what you think the Bengals record will be. If you think they will be 6-10... that's fine. I think they will be more like 8-8, but you think they are worse than I do. That opinion is completely acceptable to me.

What is ridiculous is your reasoning. You speculate that Palmer will be injured before the season starts with no evidence to back it up.

You complain that people think that the O-line is improved because of Andre Smith and Cook/Luigs. Well, you have no evidence that they will be worse... especially considering that the O-Line was better when Levi wasn't on the field. So how are they going to be worse?

You're speculation regarding Palmer is ridiculous. It's not fair. It's biased. It's stupid.

You are talking about speculation about future events. How can someone have evidence about a thing that hasn't happened yet? You say I have no evidence that they will be worse. Do you have some time machine you've been holding out on us or something? Otherwise you have no evidence either.

My speculation on Palmer is based on him having his face, leg, and arm seriously injured in the short time he has been here. This coupled with the youth and lack of depth on the oline makes me wonder how far Palmer will make it through the season before he really gets popped. And if he does take another serious blow to the head, leg, or arm, I am not sure he will come back from that.

Not fair? Biased? Stupid? Well that is your opinion. I disagree. I also hope that I am very wrong.

[sparky151]

I'll guess 7-9 with us beating the teams worse than us but not upsetting teams better than us, except the Ravens. I'll say we sweep Cleveburg, split with the Ravens, and beat the Donkeys, Oakland, Lions, and Chiefs. If we win a couple more games, it would probably be Pittsburgh at home plus the Jets.

[derekshank]

Funny that you have once again hijacked a thread by spouting off with your stupid unfounded speculation... and then claim it is Hair who has ruined another thread simply because he calls you out on your bulls**t.

Wha? Speculation was what was asked for in this thread. There is little doubt who hijacked this thread. Maybe you need to re-read the thread title and original post?

No... the speculation asked for in this thread is what you think the Bengals record will be. If you think they will be 6-10... that's fine. I think they will be more like 8-8, but you think they are worse than I do. That opinion is completely acceptable to me.

What is ridiculous is your reasoning. You speculate that Palmer will be injured before the season starts with no evidence to back it up.

You complain that people think that the O-line is improved because of Andre Smith and Cook/Luigs. Well, you have no evidence that they will be worse... especially considering that the O-Line was better when Levi wasn't on the field. So how are they going to be worse?

You're speculation regarding Palmer is ridiculous. It's not fair. It's biased. It's stupid.

You are talking about speculation about future events. How can someone have evidence about a thing that hasn't happened yet? You say I have no evidence that they will be worse. Do you have some time machine you've been holding out on us or something? Otherwise you have no evidence either.

My speculation on Palmer is based on him having his face, leg, and arm seriously injured in the short time he has been here. This coupled with the youth and lack of depth on the oline makes me wonder how far Palmer will make it through the season before he really gets popped. And if he does take another serious blow to the head, leg, or arm, I am not sure he will come back from that.

Not fair? Biased? Stupid? Well that is your opinion. I disagree. I also hope that I am very wrong.

I never said I had evidence. Neither have you seen me post anything about the O-line being greatly improved. The only things I have said about the O-line is that the success of the season hinges upon it's play.

Some see the #6 overall pick, and a player that the coaching staff believes to be an upgrade over Ghiaciuc (Cook) along with a player with tremendous upside (Luigs) that it will be greatly improved.

You think that relying on a rookie and a Center without having taken a snap will be a step backward.

For me, it is simply a question yet to be answered. If they play very well, this team could go to the playoffs. If they play very poorly, it's another down season. Yes... I think they will be better with Collins, Cook/Luigs, and A. Smith than they were with Levi, Ghuiciac, and Andrews. How could it be worse? But it seems silly to make a definitive statement either way.

The difference between you and I is not the evidence that we're using, but the conclusions being drawn with said evidence. I'm willing to look at the situation and see improvement, while not rightfully knowing how much it will impact the '09 season. You look at the situation and see no hope, and spit venom around the boards unsuccessfully trying to ruin any confidence this team has earned with it's fanbase this offseason.

The point is, this is all about opinion, and that's where I keep it. You will not find me making guarantees, nor making statements of fact about things that haven't happened yet. You on the other hand, make all sorts of strange predictions with no facts to back up you pessimistic attitude that courses through every thread in this forum.

So, if it's opinion time... here's mine. You're pathetic.

[HairOnFire]

I'm willing to look at the situation and see improvement, while not rightfully knowing how much it will impact the '09 season. You look at the situation and see no hope, and spit venom around the boards unsuccessfully trying to ruin any confidence this team has earned with it's fanbase this offseason.

And there it is.

The very reason Kid Steakhouse and Bearcat find themselves endlessly speculating about fringe issues and made up disasters is because they can't tolerate a fanbase that isn't nearly as miserable as they are. Worse, the Fed-Ups don't actually WANT things to get better because bitching is all they've ever known. So rather than talking about Palmer's return the idiot fringe immediately begins talking about him being injured yet again. Or maybe they do nothing but offer complaints about how rookies are rarely ready to play from the start while conveniently forgetting how all teams rely on rookies...especially rebuilding teams.

Frankly, it would be one thing if fans like Berarcat were simply as stupid as he seems. But it's even worse when guys like him and Shula embrace misinformation for the sole purpose of bitching and crying.

[Bearcat1975]

I look forward to eating much crow this season.

As opposed to another rebuilding year while the blind homers either backpeddle or disappear altogether. Not to reappear again until the peak of Bengals Fan's Hope AKA next offseason.