How Big Is Sunday's Game?

[wookie]

You hate to say it in week 3, but this is a must win game for the Bengals.

1st, its a divisional game and I agree with all who said you must win divisional games, especially at home.

2nd, the AFCN is currently a 4 way tie at 1-1, a win would put Cincy at 2-1, Ravens at 1-2, Cleveland has to play in NY against the Giants and should lose putting them at 1-2, and Pittsburgh travels to Miami to face that D with major ?s at QB, they could also end up 1-2. This win could put the Bengals at best all alone in 1st and at least in a tie with the Steelers.

3rd, the Bengals have another Divisional game in week 4, this time on the road (shudder) against the Steelers who have been able to beat the Bengals in Pittsburgh on a pretty regular basis. They have problems with injuries, but Cower has a way of getting his guys pumped and ready to play, if the Bengals can continue to get healthy and gain confidence by beating the Ravens they can win this one as well. This would put the Bengals at 3-1 going into the Bye in week 5.

4th, losing this game to the Ravens would counter everything I've said above and could leave the Bengals reeling at 1-3 going into the break.

This is definitely a BIG game on Sunday.

[skyline]

It isn't a must win Wookie. If we lose Sunday, and then sweep the rest of the divisional games, we'll be ok. It won't be easy to do, but it's possible.

That being said, it IS a very very very important game. It could really set the tone for these next 3 games. Still, I hate to see the phrase "must-win" tossed around as often as it is.

[Jam31]

As excited as we all are, let me first say THANK GOD FOOTBALL IS BACK!

Im telling you now not to get your hopes up because if we win and with the way you guys bad-mouth Boller and w/o a healthy Todd Heap you really won't have much to say next week. So in this case, yes this game is huge for you because if you can't beat us now, good luck against us later in Baltimore.

If Boller plays like some of you describe him to be, he'll have 4 turnovers and we'll get shut-out. Let's not forget that his ONLY 300 yard game came against YOUR team in YOUR house.

I think you'll be pretty surprised by the way he plays this game.

Finally, Rudi hasn't faced defenses designed solely to stop him to the degree that Jamal faces and Rudi doesn't have the backups that Jamal has.

[kevnz]

If Boller plays like some of you describe him to be, he'll have 4 turnovers and we'll get shut-out. Let's not forget that his ONLY 300 yard game came against YOUR team in YOUR house.

Against a team playing prevent D cause they had such a big lead by that point. Plus about 120 yards of that was to Heap who isn't playing.

[jditty47]

that 300 yards came when you guys were behind. and that 300 yards didnt get them in the endzone early.

[FloridaBrownsFan]

The problem with so many divisional games this early in the season is picking who you prefer to win.

At this point with everyone 1-1, I have to say good luck to your Bengals, I'd rather have you at 2-1 then the Ravens.

Good Luck.

[Kirkendall]

The problem with so many divisional games this early in the season is picking who you prefer to win.

At this point with everyone 1-1, I have to say good luck to your Bengals, I'd rather have you at 2-1 then the Ravens.

Good Luck.

Brown and Bengal fans uniting? Whoa, I need to sit down.

Thanks for the props.. hopefully we can repeat your performance in week one.

[wookie]

It isn't a must win Wookie. If we lose Sunday, and then sweep the rest of the divisional games, we'll be ok. It won't be easy to do, but it's possible.

That being said, it IS a very very very important game. It could really set the tone for these next 3 games. Still, I hate to see the phrase "must-win" tossed around as often as it is.

If we can't beat the Ravens in our own home, then how would you think we'll sweep the divisional games??

Like I said earlier, we don't play well in Pittsburgh (or in Baltimore for that matter, or on the road for another) and what else would give us the momentum that we need??

Like Jam said, if we can't beat them with Boller at QB, and without Heap and maybe without Deion(see my post in the NFL section), then we are in trouble for the rematch.

Jam, I agreed with you on that point, but you gotta stop bringing up that 300 yrd game. I was at that game and Boller had a horrible game until the Bengals lightened up and gave up a few big plays late. The Ravens had 1 good drive, all Boller to Heap to start the game and then were dominated for 2 1/2 quarters of football while the Bengals got comfortably ahead.

Which game would Boller rather have? 300 and a loss or 98 and a win?

Its a rhetorical question, you don't have to answer.

[skyline]

If we can't beat the Ravens in our own home, then how would you think we'll sweep the divisional games??

It'd be really tough, but not impossible. You could also ask the Ravens how they can expect to win the rest of the divisional games if they can't even beat Cleveland.

Like I said, winning would be ideal. If we don't win, though, it's not time to throw in the towel just yet.

[HoosierCat]

Like I said, winning would be ideal. If we don't win, though, it's not time to throw in the towel just yet.

Yup. I look at the next 3 games like this:

0-3 = wait 'til next year

1-2 = bengals on life support

2-1 = it's going down to the wire...again

3-0 = our playoff drought is about to end

But that's just fan talk. The important thing is to beat the Ravens, preferably by a 40 or 50 point margin... :player:

[BengalByTheBay]

Finally, Rudi hasn't faced defenses designed solely to stop him to the degree that Jamal faces and Rudi doesn't have the backups that Jamal has.

If you're suggesting that the Rats d is designed solely to stop Rudi then I can't wait for Sunday. Sorry about your injuries, but we have WR's and they will be playing. The Rats have done a very good job on CJ the past 2 games, but he's coming off (for him) a poor game and I think he'll be very up for this contest. Our WR's are the strength of this team and all Rudi has to do is keep the d honest and not allow an all-out pass rush on every down. He can do that. Does that mean we win -- no. But if your d keys entirely to stop the run and packs the box we will win because no team in the league can cover our WR's man to man.

[wookie]

You could also ask the Ravens how they can expect to win the rest of the divisional games if they can't even beat Cleveland.

Like I said, winning would be ideal. If we don't win, though, it's not time to throw in the towel just yet.

The Ravens are in a different category right now, they lost to Cleveland but beat the Steelers so they don't have that hanging over their heads anymore.

Cincy could lose to the Ravens twice, sweep Pittsburgh and Cleveland, win half of their other games and still make the Playoffs if the Ravens completely fall apart the rest of the year. Now that most likely will not happen so the Bengals need at least a split in this series. I like their chances at home better than in Baltimore, so I look at this as the Bengals best opportunity until MNF to make a statement.

Plus from a fans perspective it would SUCK to lose to the Ravens at home, so I'll stand by the must win comment.

BTW, never did I say they should throw in the towel. I don't think Marvin would allow these Bengals to do what the Bengals of the past would do if they lost this game, ie. fall into a downward spiral with a lot of finger pointing and players demanding trades, or to be let go. Marvin will not allow anyone to call it a season until it is decided on the field, and I wouldn't give up on my Bengals...who do you think I am...Bax?

[schweinhart]

Bengals loss would be a major disappointment but not demoralizing for playoff run this year. A 9-7 wildcard has a real shot.

The more CP plays, the more the team rolls up the wins. A healthy team with only 4 or 5 players on the injury report each week sure would help.