Another Monday Night game next season?

[WhoDey42]

What do you guys think are the chances of us getting another Monday Night game at home?

I can't decide. I think if we play well the rest of the season, they may bring it back next season. I don't think we'll be playing on the road on MNF, but possibly again at home. I think that they saw how crazy our fans were and how excited the whole city was for it, that they may bring it back. I hope that if we do play again on Monday in the next couple years, that it's against the Clowns or Steelers or someone like that.

What do you guys think?

[CJBestInAFC]

I would like to see the Steelers play the Bengals on Monday night.

[TippCityRick]

It's rather simple now that we didn't embarass ourselves on MNF. If we have a winning record we have a great chance to be invited back. If we have a losing record we will be watching from our sofas at home once again each Monday Night.

[San Antonio Bengal]

Some cities get a free pass because they are in a major market or have a national following. Cincy doesn't fall into either of those categories. For us it all depends on the record at season's end. If we tank the rest of the season (I don't see that happening) we won't be back next year. If we finish in the middle of the pack like last year, I think we have a decent chance. Right now it's still too early to speculate since there's still 10 games left play.

[wookie]

It's rather simple now that we didn't embarass ourselves on MNF. If we have a winning record we have a great chance to be invited back. If we have a losing record we will be watching from our sofas at home once again each Monday Night.

Its actually more complicated than that. The Bengal - Steeler matchup is exciting and important to us as Bengal Fans, but it may mean less to say a Bills Fan.

The Bengals were awarded a MNF game this year due to their improved play last year, and because they showed that they could be an exciting and entertaining team (thanks Chad Johnson). They didn't have a winning record last season, but were matched up against a popular team for MNF.

If the Bengals were to get a MNF game against a divisional opponent it would probably be against a team like the Ravens with Ray Lewis, Jamal Lewis, and possibly Deion again. More likely would be if the Bengals had a game against an opponent with superstars like Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison, or Micheal Vick. I'm not sure if the scheduling would put either the Colts or the Falcons on the schedule next year, but its a possiblity.

One thing for sure, their performance this Monday night gave them a better chance than if they had been blown out.

[denverbengal]

I don't think a winning record alone is going to cut it. We're going to have to make the playoffs to get a MNF game next year. I'd love to see us in one next year too, but I think the MNF powers that be are all breathing a collective sigh of relief that the Bengals performed well. They won't take that chance again next year unless we really prove something this year.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

I don't think a winning record alone is going to cut it. We're going to have to make the playoffs to get a MNF game next year. I'd love to see us in one next year too, but I think the MNF powers that be are all breathing a collective sigh of relief that the Bengals performed well. They won't take that chance again next year unless we really prove something this year.

I disagree. If we go 8-8, and show that when it comes to prime time games the Bengals show up and win (which we did), the Bengals make for good TV. Sure, they will pair us up against a team with a bigger draw like Indianapolis, Green Bay, or Chicago.

We made the game exciting, and that counts.

[kevnz]

There was an article on Maddens website that said what they look for when they pick teams for MNF. People have to think the team is gonna do something next year. Winning and making the playoffs help, but they have to think people will want to see us play. That means playing well and that means getting peoples attention (are you listening Chad?).

[jditty47]

heres my take - if we go 8-8 or 9-7 and miss the playoffs we will get a road MNF game next year. If we somehow maek the playoffs we will get a home game on MNF and a road game.

If we do worse than 8-8 no MNF game next year, but we'll get a sunday night game and cuz of this year and the ratings that we provided them, we will probably get a Thurs or a Sat game during the holidays too.

[BengalszoneBilly]

After the impressive, and even more importantly EXCITING, win for the Bengals on MNF in front of a record crowd who was going nuts on every play, I can't see how they can be excluded from it regarless of the teams final W-L record!

Every person I know who's a football fan, regardless of what team, commented that the Bengals put on a great show for the fans, and were extremely exciting to watch!

It's absolutely freakin' incredible of what that single win on national TV did for the Cincinnati Bengals persona among all NFL fans! Their perception went from just a team they know little about except that they usually lose, to an exciting, up and coming, energetic young team that is going to be a force in the league, and soon! Like McDonalds says...I'm Lovin' It! :player:

I'll repeat: THE BENGALS WILL GET A 2005 MNF DATE!!

[WHO DEY AGAIN?]

We did a great job all around but like Madden said they look at what way the team is headed and of course the best match ups. It all depends on how the Bengals finish. If they play the rest of the games the way they play at night then we have a shot. If they play like they did at Cleveland we have no shot. It's that simple. :player:

[CTBengalsFan]

how about the fact that we won both prime time games? i think that alone lobbies us for another monday night (and hopefully a sunday night, too).

[CincyJay]

Getting another Monday Night Football game for next year would be awesome. And I agree it wouldn't be against one of our division opponents. But look forward to a possible game against one of the leagues better teams, lets say a New England or Philadelphia. If we take down one of these powerhouses this year, and they continue to do well through the rest of the season and late into the playoffs, we might be pitted against one of them. That would be exciting. :player:

[cdnbengals_fan]

The Bengals have been one of my favorite teams for a few years now, even though up until last year they never really came close to making the playoffs. I like other teams too, but after watching that Monday night game, I haven't been into an NFL game as much as that one vs Denver.

The Bengals played amazing that night, the crowd was great, and it was a very entertaining game. I was pumped when they won.

Cincy has some great young players as well-Palmer, Rudi, Perry, O'Neal is fairly young and is hopefully re-building his career with the Bengals, and of course a young super-star, one of the best recievers already in Chad Johnson.

These guys may not be the best team out there-yet, but they played great on Monday, and have some good solid young talent as well...I would love to see them on Monday night again, especially if the crowd was into it like the other night..Go Bengals! :player:

[Scottishbengal]

For your interest, the opponents for 2005:

HOME:

Ravens, Browns, Steelers, Texans, Colts, Packers, Vikings

AWAY:

Ravens, Browns, Steelers, Jaguars, Titans, Bears, Lions

Obviously a couple more depending upon the positions at the end of this season.

IMO I would say the home games against Packers & Vikings seem the most likely to attract TV interest, but it really all depends on how each team fairs this season. If Cincy crash and burn for the rest of the season I would say forget any MNF game for the next ???? years!

[MoellerWhoDey]

Watching the Bengals on Monday Night Football was great. I hope I get to see my Bengals on MNF in the near future.

[jditty47]

For your interest, the opponents for 2005:

HOME:

Ravens, Browns, Steelers, Texans, Colts, Packers, Vikings

AWAY:

Ravens, Browns, Steelers, Jaguars, Titans, Bears, Lions

Obviously a couple more depending upon the positions at the end of this season.

IMO I would say the home games against Packers & Vikings seem the most likely to attract TV interest, but it really all depends on how each team fairs this season. If Cincy crash and burn for the rest of the season I would say forget any MNF game for the next ???? years!

where did u see this schedule? i can understand u might be correct on the teams, but the home/away wont be correct till the schedules are released.

[R-U-D-I]

It's thurs and I still don't have my voice back from being at the MNF game. Due to the rotating schedule we know most of our games. I agree that it won't be a division game that would draw for national spotlight. Maybe Indy or Minn. It mainly depends on where MNF feels the Bengals are headed next year. If they still view us as up and coming and we finish strong this year, then we'll get another one. If we limp in down the stretch then we're back to all Sunday afternoons. I know if the crowd acts like that for every home game then we're "guaranteed at least 5 more victories (5 home games left for the schedule challenged)

[Scottishbengal]

For your interest, the opponents for 2005:

HOME:

Ravens, Browns, Steelers, Texans, Colts, Packers, Vikings

AWAY:

Ravens, Browns, Steelers, Jaguars, Titans, Bears, Lions

Obviously a couple more depending upon the positions at the end of this season.

IMO I would say the home games against Packers & Vikings seem the most likely to attract TV interest, but it really all depends on how each team fairs this season. If Cincy crash and burn for the rest of the season I would say forget any MNF game for the next ???? years!

where did u see this schedule? i can understand u might be correct on the teams, but the home/away wont be correct till the schedules are released.

Oh contraire!

The schedules up to and including the 2009 opponents were released sometime ago and were available on Bengals.com for ages.

I don't know if there's still a link to it or not.

14 of the 16 fixtures are listed, 7 home, 7 away, with 2 dependent upon how the league standings are at the end of each season.

The DATES of each fixture will be released as and when (is this usually April time?)

For those of you that want to know, here are the fixtures:-

2006

HOME: 3 x divisonal, Oakland, San Diego, Atlanta, Carolina

AWAY: 3 x divisional, Denver, Kansas, N.Orleans, Tampa

2007

HOME: 3 x divisional, New England, Jets, Arizona, St.Louis

AWAY: 3 x divisonal, Buffalo, Miami, San Francisco, Seattle,

2008

HOME: 3 x divisional, Jacksonville, Tennessee, Philly, Washington

AWAY: 3 x divisional, Texans, Indy, Dallas, Giants

2009

HOME: 3 x divisional, Denver, Kansas, Chicageo, Detroit,

AWAY: Oakland, San Diego, Green Bay, Minnesota

I think the rationale behind it was to ensure that each time played every other team during a 10 year cycle.

[San Antonio Bengal]

When Houston entered the league, that gave us 32 teams a nice clean breakdown into 8 divisions. Every year you play home and away games against your divison rivals. You also play all four teams in another division of your conference (2 home/2 away). And you play all four teams in a division of the other conference (2 home/2 away).

Under such a scheme, you are guarenteed to face all teams in your conference every three years and all teams in the other conference every four years. You are further guarenteed to play home and away games against everyone in your conference in a six year period and you are guarenteed to play home and away agames against everyone in the other conference in an eight year period. (Just duplicate the schedule and swap all the home games for away games and vice versa.)

Finally, two games (1 home/1 away) get added to the schedule based on where you finished the previous year. You play teams from your conference who finished in same position as you. You're already scheduled to play all of the teams in one of the divisions, so you play those who finished in the same position in the other two divisions. Last year, Cincy was second in the North. We were already scheduled to play the 2nd place team from the AFC East, so we have Denver and Tennessee on our schedule since they finished in second place in the West and South respectively.

Just like clockwork.

[Scottishbengal]

Well explained San Antonio - the system works!

[cincykent]

For your interest, the opponents for 2005:

HOME:

Ravens, Browns, Steelers, Texans, Colts, Packers, Vikings

AWAY:

Ravens, Browns, Steelers, Jaguars, Titans, Bears, Lions

Obviously a couple more depending upon the positions at the end of this season.

IMO I would say the home games against Packers & Vikings seem the most likely to attract TV interest, but it really all depends on how each team fairs this season. If Cincy crash and burn for the rest of the season I would say forget any MNF game for the next ???? years!

I agree. The Packers or Vikings would be the most attractive national game.

[jditty47]

i knew that. but i didnt know that they had who played where down already....

[Barbarian]

Why not a Bungles-Terds matchup?????

That's the true enemy. It could be big.

[wookie]

Why not a Bungles-Terds matchup?????

That's the true enemy. It could be big.

It would be big, and draw a lot of attention...in Ohio.

Ok, maybe a few people in other parts of the world who like either team would be interested, but that's just a few. Most of the rest of the NFL would see that as a boring matchup unless for some reason both teams were looked at as Super Bowl contenders. The NFL would have to have some justification for putting 2 perennially bad teams in a Monday Night slot.

A few years ago everyone in the NY, NJ area was pumped up for a Yankees/Mets subway series for the World Series...Not too many people were interested in the rest of the country.