Next up, Minnesota

[Stripes]

This will certainly be a difficult game for either team to win, and I've liked the arguments being used to support both sides.

I'll look at everything from a matchups perspective.

Bengals offensive line versus Vikings defensive line - This will be a very rough game in the trenches. Our line will likely struggle some in the middle against Pat Williams, I don't know if Braham, Steinbach, and Williams can consistently keep him in check. He will be a big factor in pressuring Palmer. On the outside, we should have an easier time. Big Willie, Levi, and the tight ends should be able maintain their blocks against a relitively unknown set of defensive ends, including last years first round pick, Keneche Udeze.

Advantage - Slightly Bengals

Rudi Johnson/Chris Perry versus Vikings linebackers - I love this matchup in the Bengals favor. Rudi should have similar success pounding the ball against these boys as he had in Cleveland, and Perry will overmatch them on third downs all day long. We have the speed and the physicality to establish a consistent running game.

Advantage - Bengals

Bengals passing game versus Vikings secondary - This will be a tough matchup. We have some good physical receivers, and Chad is always a home-run threat, but they have an excellent secondary to keep them in check. Corey Chavous is a hard hitting, play maker at safety, and we all know what Smoot and Winfield are capable of. Palmer will have to make quick reads, and I suspect the slot recievers are in for big games.

Advantage - Even

Vikings offensive line versus Bengals defensive line - The Vikings will sorely miss Birk in this game, as his absence could give Thornton and Robinson some excellent opportunities to make big plays. Smith and Geathers culd have marginal success, but I suspect they will be focused on shutting down the run, as they were in Cleveland.

Advantage - Slightly Bengals

Vikings running game versus Bengals linebackers - Odell is primed for another big game, and none of Minnesota's committee backs really worries me very much. I think we'll have an excellent day stopping the run, and if we can do so early, the pressure will be on Culpepper.

Advantage - Bengals

Vikings passing game versus Bengals secondary - I think this one goes the Vikings way. I'm worried about Burleson working Tory James just by speed and route running, and Tory's foot may still be hurting. They'll probably attack the strong safety as well, and that could mean a big day for Robinson or Wiggins. Culpepper isn't likely to struggle for a second straight week.

Advantage - Slightly Vikings

Special Teams - Neither is overly dangerous. The return games aren't anything special, nor are the coverage teams. Shayne Graham is the difference here.

Advantage - Slightly Bengals

Overall, with homefield, and the all the above, I think we win this game.

[Stripes]

Forgot to compare the quarterbacks in that last post...

Carson Palmer versus Daunte Culpepper - These two are more difficult to compare. Culpepper is a perennial pro bowler, so we know he must have at least above average ability, even without Moss, and despite his bad game last week. Palmer is looking like he'll be a great one, and his receiving corps is the better of the two. Still, he is young, and mistake proned as much as Culpepper and he is facing an excellent Minnesota secondary.

Advantage - Slightly Vikings

[CBin2k7]

This will certainly be a difficult game for either team to win, and I've liked the arguments being used to support both sides.

I'll look at everything from a matchups perspective.

Bengals offensive line versus Vikings defensive line - This will be a very rough game in the trenches.  Our line will likely struggle some in the middle against Pat Williams, I don't know if Braham, Steinbach, and Williams  can consistently keep him in check.  He will be a big factor in pressuring Palmer.  On the outside, we should have an easier time.  Big Willie, Levi, and the tight ends should be able maintain their blocks against a relitively unknown set of defensive ends, including last years first round pick, Keneche Udeze.

Advantage - Slightly Bengals

Rudi Johnson/Chris Perry versus Vikings linebackers - I love this matchup in the Bengals favor.  Rudi should have similar success pounding the ball against these boys as he had in Cleveland, and Perry will overmatch them on third downs all day long.  We have the speed and the physicality to establish a consistent running game.

Advantage - Bengals

Bengals passing game versus Vikings secondary - This will be a tough matchup.  We have some good physical receivers, and Chad is always a home-run threat, but they have an excellent secondary to keep them in check.  Corey Chavous is a hard hitting, play maker at safety, and we all know what Smoot and Winfield are capable of.  Palmer will have to make quick reads, and I suspect the slot recievers are in for big games.

Advantage - Even

Vikings offensive line versus Bengals defensive line - The Vikings will sorely miss Birk in this game, as his absence could give Thornton and Robinson some excellent opportunities to make big plays.  Smith and Geathers culd have marginal success, but I suspect they will be focused on shutting down the run, as they were in Cleveland.

Advantage - Slightly Bengals

Vikings running game versus Bengals linebackers - Odell is primed for another big game, and none of Minnesota's committee backs really worries me very much.  I think we'll have an excellent day stopping the run, and if we can do so early, the pressure will be on Culpepper.

Advantage - Bengals

Vikings passing game versus Bengals secondary - I think this one goes the Vikings way.  I'm worried about Burleson working Tory James just by speed and route running, and Tory's foot may still be hurting.  They'll probably attack the strong safety as well, and that could mean a big day for Robinson or Wiggins.  Culpepper isn't likely to struggle for a second straight week.

Advantage - Slightly Vikings

Special Teams - Neither is overly dangerous.  The return games aren't anything special, nor are the coverage teams.  Shayne Graham is the difference here.

Advantage - Slightly Bengals

Overall, with homefield, and the all the above, I think we win this game.

A few things to add...

The Bengals will struggle on the interior to defend Pat Williams and he and Kevin Williams will combine to stop the interior running game which is a strength for our team. To counteract the bengals may pull Steinbach and Bobbie Williams to create better blocking angles and attack Williams.

One matchup to watch is the Bengals WR corps against the Vikes Secondary. I think you slightly overrate the Vikings secondary and when they go to the nickel and dime package they are very vulnerable. Williams and Brown both struggled last week against Tampa, and now they face up against a better set of receivers. Hopefully the Bengals can exploit their nickel cornerbacks with K. Washington or K. Walter. The major concern for Palmer should be FS Sharper as he is known to make big plays. CJ and TJ should be able to go up against Winfield and Smoot, this is why they make the big bucks.

[Stripes]

A few things to add...

The Bengals will struggle on the interior to defend Pat Williams and he and Kevin Williams will combine to stop the interior running game which is a strength for our team. To counteract the bengals may pull Steinbach and Bobbie Williams to present more favorable match up and make the Vikes D move.

One matchup to watch is the Bengals WR corps against the Vikes Secondary. I think you slightly overrate the Vikings secondary and when they go to the nickel and dime package they are very vulnerable. Hopefully the Bengals can exploit their nickel cornerbacks with K. Washington or K. Walter. The major concern for Palmer should be FS Sharper as he is known to make big plays. CJ and TJ should be able to go up against Winfield and Smoot, this is why they make the big bucks.

There's some good points, I forgot entirely about Sharper at safety. No doubt he will be a factor. I think Chad and T.J. will have success, but I'm not expecxting any completed long bombs against them. Walter has a shot at a big game in the slot, it will be interesting to see how that unfolds.

[CBin2k7]

Another thing could be interesting is how TJ works in the slot, if Washington/Henry plays outside in the multi receiver sets, TJ could have a field day inside against Williams or Brown, but if they leave Williams or Brown outside against Washington/Henry, again the Bengals would enjoy that matchup as well. Also I think you will see alot more outside running for the Bengals, which means more Perry. TE's and Perry and multi-receiver sets, it's such a different discussion when talking about the Bengals O

[redsfan2]

Your defense gave up 24 points to the Bucs, whom have a crappy offense.  You guys haven't played well on the road in recent seasons, and the Bengals have been good at home.

It should be a close game, and a good one.  By no means will our team be dead.

And yours gave up 278 passing yards to Trent Dilfer.

TRENT. DILFER.

BA) Would have chimed in sooner but just got back....

Mike ...... Glad to see you remember Delver .... Yep .. the same Trend Delver that won the Super Bowl.

Now real quick .. for bonus points tell us the name of the last Vikings cb to win the Super Bowl .......

Times up .......... you couldn't answer ... because there hasn't been one MIke. And yeah I know we lost 2 ... but you know what ??? We at least covered the point spread both times. I've lost money on those f**king Vikings EVERY TIME they went !!!

Don't come in here with your 0 and 1 record ......... 4 super bowl consolation prizes and 8 and 8 record last year when you BACKED into the play offs and talk s**t.

The Fakes are coming in here and getting respect from the guys on this forum that they haven't even earned yet this year. We at least won a game on the road that we were supposed to ........ And to settle any argument ... Beating the Browns is better than losing to Tampa Bay

The only thing that's going to be better than watching you team slink away with those horns in their ass instead of on their helmets is going to be later this year when the Browns hand you your asses as well. That's right .... the same Browns you're talking down to will no doubt kick your asses too. As a matter of fact it's very likely that you'll end up 0 and 4 with our division.

One last thing ........... You people owe me money !

[redsfan2]

Hi Bengals Fans

The Bengals-VIkings game will be one of the better games of the week. Too bad I'll be stuck watching some other crap where I live.

Anyway it's good to see the Vikings haven't completely lost respect after their performance yesterday, but I honestly think the offense is still getting used to the idea that Moss is not there to draw 2 or 3 DBs. Our o-line played horribly and it showed in the running game. THe Bucs did not allow us to throw any deep balls, and although we were able to move the ball against them several times, you can't expect to win when you commit lots of turnovers. Also, stupid mistakes. Jermaine Wiggins had TWO TDs called back for penalties...obviously it would have been a different game if they had registered. The bright spot for us was defense and special teams, both areas of woe for a long time.

I haven't seen many Bengals games but I did see the one yesterday against the Browns. Your offense will be a far better test for us than the Bucs. Palmer looked very sharp as did the receiving corps. I was real impressed by that Kevin Walter, he's a big tough guy and I am worried about him for this game especially on third downs. Our CBs are pretty fast, and Winfield and FS Sharper are both great tacklers. WHen he's healthy Smoot can hold his own man-to-man, although I don't expect to see much single coverage against Chad Johnson. I expect the Vikings tackles the Williams twins to stop the run up the middle, but if Rudi finds a gap to burst through I don't think our LBs will have much luck stopping him. What we need, of course, is for the d-line which is the real strength of our defense, to win their matchups and get to Carson Palmer, who is only getting better each game. I'm not expecting a lot of sacks, just don't want him to have the time to work his offense.

Your defense vs. our offense: Vikings o-line will struggle again to open up the running game...which will be bad for Bennett who relies on open field for speed. As usual Tice will run all of our guys...usually Moe and Moore can break tackles and get tough yards, but it all depends on blocking. The whole key for us will be for the passing game to be in rythym because when it is, the Vikings are difficult to stop. Nate Burleson is such a good route runner that Daunte has become very comfortable finding him all over the field. Wiggins, despite his size, can move pretty fast and has great hands. And Marcus Robinson and Travis Taylor both have the ability to get deep...given the time. So for the Bengals preventing that is key.

I expect it to be a close one though, and the Vikings do struggle against outdoors teams, so if the Vikes lose I won't be completely devastated. But I will say 27-23 Vikes.

Welcome to the board ( if no one has said it yet ).

You guys made a couple of pick ups at the expense of Buffalo that I think would upgrade anyones defense.

Bills didn't re sign Pat Williams so they could use the money to keep one of their O linemen ( can't remember which ), but they didn't keep him either. Winfield was another one that I was hoping the Bengals would take a look at, but I think everybody was amazed at the how much money he was getting offers at.

On the offense, one of our linebackers ( Pollack ) has already mentioned Daunt being bigger than he is. Tough guy to get down ... especially once he gets going.

We're going into the game a little healthier than your guys and we're at home. Those are the real two reasons I think we should win this game. The one thing I'm a lot more certain of is that it's going to be a tough one for whoever wins it.

Here's to a good game and no injuries on either side :player: