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Vikings @ Bengals Pregame Thread


HoosierCat

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What Pitt did to us, the Vikings did to the Eagles yesterday, on a powerful offensive show put on despite AP being out. With that victory the Vikings move to 4-9-1 on the year. However, so far this year they are winless (0-6-1) on the road.

For those interested in franchise histories, next Sunday's game will be just the 12th meeting between the two teams. The Bengals are 5-6 against the Vikings in the previous 11 contests. But most of those losses have happened in Minnesota, where the Bengals are 0-5. Cincinnati is 5-1 lifetime against Minnesota at home, the loss being a 42-7 beatdown back in 1992 in which Boomer Esiason threw for 97 yards and 4 interceptions, versus Rich Gannon's 318 yards and 4 TDs.

In terms of recent and perhaps slightly more applicable history, the Bengals and Vikes have clashed twice before under Lewis. The first meeting came in 2005 at PBS, when Cincinnati trashed them 37-8 en route to their first playoff appearance in forever. The Bengals picked Daunte Culpepper off five times, including a three-pick day by Deltha O'Neal. The second meeting was in Minnesota in December of 2009 with the Bengals banged up and limping toward the postseason. Cincinnati kept an aging Lord Favre mostly in check (192 yards, 1 TD, 1 pick) but gave up a combined 133 rushing and receiving yards and 2 TDs to AP. Offensively the Bengals couldn't do anything: Benson had 96 yards rushing but Palmer managed just 94 yards through the air. Bengals fell 30-10.

Early weather forecast: 42 degrees, 50% chance of rain, 11 mph winds.

One other note for history buffs: this will be the third time the Bengals face Matt Cassel. Both the other times were when he was with KC, in 2009 and 2012. Cincy won both games. Cassel is a combined 30/52/273 in those games, with 1 TD and 2 INTs. Bengals defenders have sacked him five times combined, including takedowns by Atkins, Maualuga, Pacman and two by MJ.

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Coming back home for the last two games of the season is a good thing.

This team just seems to thrive playing at home.

I haven't seen an injury report yet, but am VERY curious what they are looking at.

God knows a punter is at the top of the priority list.

I still like our odds playing at home against a poor Vikings road team.

I'm still VERY much behind this team and want to see them finish the regular season strong.

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Still holding out for the Mighty Quinn.

On a related note, it will be interesting to see what they do for a holder. Hobs mentioned Sanzenbacher can hold but has been inactive the past few games. I doubt they keep Dalton there, though it's nice to know he can handle the job in a pinch.

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Looking at this game as a must win. Even though no matter what the Bengals do against the Vikings concerning the division, it's vital they win. A win and then a 4pm gametime loss for the Ravens will hand us the AFCN. A loss to the Vikings would be 2 in a row and really set this team back mentally for the Ravens game the next week.

They basically need to win out.

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Just made a post over in the gameday thread.

The Bengals need to win this weekend period.

That, coupled with a Ravens loss, seals the division.

Just win Sunday at home. A loss is devastating.

If the Ravens win out, not only do we not win the division, but could be outside looking in if the Dolphins also win out.

PISSED.

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On a side note, this is what the league wanted when they moved division games to the end of the season.

You need not look any further than the standings to see the excitement generated with two weeks left.

As of today, only the Colts have clinched the division.

The Broncos and Chiefs have a playoff berth.

Nothing else has been determined.

Just win Bengals, just freakin' win.

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On a side note, this is what the league wanted when they moved division games to the end of the season.

You need not look any further than the standings to see the excitement generated with two weeks left.

As of today, only the Colts have clinched the division.

The Broncos and Chiefs have a playoff berth.

Nothing else has been determined.

Just win Bengals, just freakin' win.

This is where it becomes a practice in paradox. Focus, but don't overfocus. Get amped up, but not too much. Play loose and all out. Win the battle in front of you.

These next 2 games are really going to shape where this team is heading into 2014 and beyond.

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As a Bengal fan, I just want my team to win first and foremost...and they should vs a dome team playing outside in December who's winless on the road. Then I'll just enjoy the NE-Balt game. If the Ravens win, I'll be happy 'cause my team has a shot at the #2 seed. If they lose, I'll be happy with the AFC North title. Thinking longterm, the best thing for our Bengals is for the Ravens to win and for our Bengals to beat them in week 17. Let's face it, the only way for our team to go far in the playoffs is to get the #2 seed. They can't make a run against playoff caliber teams on the road. They just aren't that good. But I don't feel good about them winning an all or nothing game on the final Sunday

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Tough to sell this game out. The weather has been brutal, and it is the Saturday before Christmas. I have a family and I know a lot of the guys in here do too. Just a weekend where other things take priority. I can dvr it and watch it that way, but no way can I carve out 9 or 10 hours to go to a game, and I suspect I'm pretty typical.

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Well, there would still be the possibility of hosting the AFC Championship game even at the #3 seed.

But lets not put the cart before the horse or however that stupid saying goes.

Sure there's a chance for that as there is with the #5 seed but so what? This team needs an off week and needs as many home games as it can get. The only way they get a home game for week 2 of the playoffs is to get the 2nd seed.

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Tough to sell this game out. The weather has been brutal, and it is the Saturday before Christmas. I have a family and I know a lot of the guys in here do too. Just a weekend where other things take priority. I can dvr it and watch it that way, but no way can I carve out 9 or 10 hours to go to a game, and I suspect I'm pretty typical.

No more Saturday games in the NFL. It's on Sunday

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Well, there would still be the possibility of hosting the AFC Championship game even at the #3 seed.

But lets not put the cart before the horse or however that stupid saying goes.

Sure there's a chance for that as there is with the #5 seed but so what? This team needs an off week and needs as many home games as it can get. The only way they get a home game for week 2 of the playoffs is to get the 2nd seed.

Again, I won't bemoan the #2 seed, i'm simply saying i'm good with the #3 and would rather not have to face the Ravens the last week with it all on the line.

This is not the same team we were at the beginning of the season or even 2-3 weeks ago for that matter.

The loss of Newman's old ass is a bigger hit than most might be willing to concede.

The injuries REALLY concern me in the coming weeks and we won't have to worry about the extra week off if we don't make it to the playoffs at all.

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Well, there would still be the possibility of hosting the AFC Championship game even at the #3 seed.

But lets not put the cart before the horse or however that stupid saying goes.

Sure there's a chance for that as there is with the #5 seed but so what? This team needs an off week and needs as many home games as it can get. The only way they get a home game for week 2 of the playoffs is to get the 2nd seed.

Again, I won't bemoan the #2 seed, i'm simply saying i'm good with the #3 and would rather not have to face the Ravens the last week with it all on the line.

This is not the same team we were at the beginning of the season or even 2-3 weeks ago for that matter.

The loss of Newman's old ass is a bigger hit than most might be willing to concede.

The injuries REALLY concern me in the coming weeks and we won't have to worry about the extra week off if we don't make it to the playoffs at all.

Agreed.

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Well, there would still be the possibility of hosting the AFC Championship game even at the #3 seed.

But lets not put the cart before the horse or however that stupid saying goes.

Sure there's a chance for that as there is with the #5 seed but so what? This team needs an off week and needs as many home games as it can get. The only way they get a home game for week 2 of the playoffs is to get the 2nd seed.

Again, I won't bemoan the #2 seed, i'm simply saying i'm good with the #3 and would rather not have to face the Ravens the last week with it all on the line.

This is not the same team we were at the beginning of the season or even 2-3 weeks ago for that matter.

The loss of Newman's old ass is a bigger hit than most might be willing to concede.

The injuries REALLY concern me in the coming weeks and we won't have to worry about the extra week off if we don't make it to the playoffs at all.

I share your concern. I'm mighty bummed the Lions laid an egg last night. I'll even give you something else to worry about. Even if things fall right and we clinch next week, we may have to beat the Ravens to keep them from coming back for another winner take all game in week 1 of the playoffs. Simply put, the Bengals have to keep winning

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So, in the attempts to keep this thread on line.

What are everyone's feelings on seeing Peterson this coming weekend since the report is that he will play ??

I don't know what to think of the Vikings after Cassel lighting it up last weekend.

Fluke ?? Dome win ?? Coming of age to late ??

I think the Bengals win this game at home and I hope they are angry going into it.

GRRRR and SH*T !!!

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Sucks Peterson is back. Minny has played well.

But ideal scenario.

Week 16

Bengals beat minny (Wont be easy)

Ravens beat Pats

Miami beats bills

---------------

Week 17

Miami beats Jets

pats lose to bills

bengals beat ravens

Denver one seed

bengals two seed

Indy 3 seed

Miami 4 seed

Chiefs 5 seed

pats 6 seed ( Actuall would rather see Miami in the 6 seed 0 we can more easily beat Miami or indy) Does the playoffs reseed after dfirst games?

Ravens -OUT!!

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