What happend this season?

[vettespd20]

I am not sure what happend this season. The only thing i can think of is that we had a lot of injuries and a new QB. I DONT KNOW FOR SURE but this seams like a better team in every position. If some one can pull some numbers that would be great. I think the QB position is better, the defense is better, the running gain is better, And not sure about special teams. Did the AFC just get much better this year making it harder for us to win even though we are a better team than last year?

[kybengalsfan]

First, our schedule was much tougher. We didn't face some of the weak defenses like we did last year. Second, teams were better prepared for us. No longer do they feel they can "punch us in the mouth" and we would give up. Third, Marvin and the team is still going thru growing pains. Fourth, our offensive line was banged up during the first part of the season. Fifth, we lost some key players to injuries, and our 1st round pick looks like the second coming of KiJana Carter. Finally, the defense has played well, at times, but are still having problems as a whole. Yes, I agree with you, we are a better team. Next year, is the year, we should go to the playoffs.

[turningpoint]

We also once again lost key games vs really awful opponents on the road, reminds me a lot like last year, when we lost to OAK and ARI, you can put buffalo in the same category.

Anyways this year losses to Tenn. and CLE were inexcussable, u can give me s**t about road wins being tough, but Playoff teams win road games.

Last year i think we lost because of kitna, this year i blame it being growingpains on D and with our QB.

I think we should shine next year, IMO were the 6-10 steelers of last year, and were gonna ignite next year.

[semiotter]

I think the AFC is alot tougher this year... Look ya got SAN D., BUFFALO(BARF), PITTSBURG( no one predicted that one), and NEW ENG.(always good)Jacksonville, and the JETS..so I think thats the main thing there. Because we played alot of the best this year. But like TP said we lost to 2 bad teams TN. and DA BROWNS!! It takes alot to go right to win in this leauge anymore...

[cdnbengals_fan]

Although mine are obvious, and basically the same as what has been said already, I think some of the main reasons are:

-Injuries. We have had some good young guys step up, but we had so many injuries this season, its hard to play with and the roster changes a lot.

-New QB. Carson started off slow, but picked up his game. Took a while though, which is expected I supose, but hurt Cincy near the begining...but he looks great now.

-We shot ourselves in the foot in some games. Bengals did win some they could have easily lost, such as today's game, but we lost ones we could have had as well. Pittsburgh, Tennessee, the Browns, even NE, etc.

-Also, a tougher schedule.

Next year though, we should be a playoff team, and down the road a real solid team for a while. We are better this year I think, but next year with a healthy team, and hopefully some players back, we should be good. This is a solid young team thats definatly not the "bungles" anymore, Cincinnati should do some damage.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

1. Chalk up some losing to the decision to start Carson Palmer and begin the new era of Bengals football. We knew he was going to have an early season learning curve, and prayed he would play like he did midseason.

2. Tough Schedule. We knew it was going to be a tough schedule against some good defenses.

3. Injury after Injury after Injury. Will it ever end? For every injury that didn't happen last season, we put someone on IR this season.

4. Learning Curve. The Bengals finally BELIEVE. Next year we go deep.