What, CBSsports rankings?

[walzav29]

2 Pittsburgh Steelers 3

So much for all that preseason concern about the offense. One game in and it looked dominant. Willie Parker is the real deal.

16 Cincinnati Bengals 23

Carson Palmer and the offense looked good, and the defense seems improved. But that was just the Browns. So temper it a bit.

Yeah. The Titans are world beaters. I can't wait until the Bengals beat the Steelers! I'm going to laugh as the bandwagon fills up.

[Bengal_Brad]

That blows, but it's all about respect. Look at this message board for instance. How many doubting Thomas' do we have here? The national media will "get it" eventually, and then they will all say they saw it coming from the beginning of the season.

WHO DEY!

[markymark69]

I have never understood people or media types saying "well it was just the Browns". You still have to beat "just the Browns". The Bengals didn't make the schedule, the league did. The Bengals can't help who they play, but whoever it is, they need to go into it thinking they can win and still needing to win that particular game to have success.

Although it wasn't a perfect game, it was a pretty convincing win. A road win in the NFL is big. Heaven forbid, if they would lost to the Browns.

However, in some ways I'm glad that some still see the Bengals as under the radar so to speak. If they think the team will do well and they don't then it's back to the same old Bengals talk that we have heard far too much of in the past.

It's funny, you very seldom hear those same people say, boy the Bengals really aren't that bad, they played a tough schedule.

[duus]

You know you cannot add a 'Steeler reference' without getting a reply from your resident Steeler Hater (life-long Bengal diehard living in Pittsburgh ... you try that ... it'll drive you absolutely nuts!). The Steelers may very well have another good/great year, but this type of disrespect drives me nuts as well. And trust me, it will grow even more after this coming weekend. Just look at the bottom-dwellers in this ESPN ranking. Texans, Titans, Bears, and Browns. Without question, the Bears have the better defense of this group, and for that reason alone, probably deserver a bit more respect (but not much). That leaves the Texans, Titans, and Browns. Of these, the Steelers play the Titans and Texans the first two weeks. We saw what they did to the Titans, and that's exactly what they should have done. They should (and probably will) do the same to the Texans on Sunday. But they will be considered to be the dominant offense, etc. No comment will be thrown out asking the level of the opponent. But yet with the Bengals, all they say is look at the opponent.

Well, I suppose some of this (if not all) is due to how poorly the Bengals have been over the 90's. But it's obvious to me that Lewis has these guys going in the right direction over the last few years. That should give them some respect among the national guys. I hope the time is coming. I hope they prove it on the field against the Steelers and shut these guys up.

Respect is earned on the field, and that's what I hope/expect the Bengals to do over the course of the season.

[bengalboomer7]

Still no respect from the national media. Let's beat the Vikings and we may start to get some

[buck3y3d]

I have never understood people or media types saying "well it was just the Browns". You still have to beat "just the Browns". The Bengals didn't make the schedule, the league did. The Bengals can't help who they play, but whoever it is, they need to go into it thinking they can win and still needing to win that particular game to have success.

Although it wasn't a perfect game, it was a pretty convincing win. A road win in the NFL is big. Heaven forbid, if they would lost to the Browns.

However, in some ways I'm glad that some still see the Bengals as under the radar so to speak. If they think the team will do well and they don't then it's back to the same old Bengals talk that we have heard far too much of in the past.

It's funny, you very seldom hear those same people say, boy the Bengals really aren't that bad, they played a tough schedule.

First, these rankings don't matter at all, so the Bengals don't have to worry what the media thinks about them. It's just a Rodney Dangerfield issue how we "don't get no respect."

Secondly, the Bengals ranking should have improved, but not that much. I don't think they have shown that much, and i'm a fan so what does that say about the national media. The Steelers only moved up one spot, which is due to Philly's loss. The Titans and Browns are on the same level imho, but Pittsburgh played a far better game than Cincy. (I'm not saying Cincy played bad, but Pitt dominated ever facet of the game.

I stopped paying attention to power rankings a long time, and mostly look for articles instead. This way i won't get upset, like i did when i saw that ESPN still had the Chargers higher than Cincy.

[walshfan]

Ive seen numerous power rankings.....Ive seen us ranked anywhere from 7 to 18..

so what does this tell us?? It tells us that they have an opinion just as we do and nothing more... rankings wont get you in the playoffs.. they wont win a super bowl..this isnt college where you need a top two ranking by the bcs to play for the championship... PRO RANKINGS MEAN NOTHING!!!!

[skyline]

Hey, we moved up 7 spots. Considering how the national media usually treats us, I'm ok with that.

Now, let's watch them move us up again once we take care of the Vikes at home

[redsbengalsbucks]

The Titans and Browns are on the same level imho, but Pittsburgh played a far better game than Cincy. (I'm not saying Cincy played bad, but Pitt dominated ever facet of the game.

I disagree I watched the shortcut of the Pitt game on DTV and the Titans moved the ball at will against the so called best defense in the NFL, turnovers or penalties killed at least 4 drives in the red zone. That sounds an awfull like what the Bengals did against the Browns, saved by penalties and turnovers.

[HairOnFire]

Still no respect from the national media. Let's beat the Vikings and we may start to get some

Yup. For those of you who care about this sort of stuff beating the Vikings at home will go along way towards your goal. That said, if the Bengals do start relatively fast...say 4-2...but manage to lose to the Vikings and the Jags the Bengals won/loss record will be ignored by the press while the poor quality of the competition will be endlessly discussed.

[skyline]

The Titans and Browns are on the same level imho, but Pittsburgh played a far better game than Cincy.  (I'm not saying Cincy played bad, but Pitt dominated ever facet of the game.

I disagree I watched the shortcut of the Pitt game on DTV and the Titans moved the ball at will against the so called best defense in the NFL, turnovers or penalties killed at least 4 drives in the red zone. That sounds an awfull like what the Bengals did against the Browns, saved by penalties and turnovers.

I watched the entire game, and I'll have to disagree with you.

The Titans have a tolerable offense, and the Steelers did a good job of frustrating it. The Titans looked great on their first drive, Pitt. adjusted...game over.

[walshfan]

The Titans and Browns are on the same level imho, but Pittsburgh played a far better game than Cincy.  (I'm not saying Cincy played bad, but Pitt dominated ever facet of the game.

I disagree I watched the shortcut of the Pitt game on DTV and the Titans moved the ball at will against the so called best defense in the NFL, turnovers or penalties killed at least 4 drives in the red zone. That sounds an awfull like what the Bengals did against the Browns, saved by penalties and turnovers.

I watched the entire game, and I'll have to disagree with you.

The Titans have a tolerable offense, and the Steelers did a good job of frustrating it. The Titans looked great on their first drive, Pitt. adjusted...game over.

Kind of sounds like how we beat the Browns!

[duus]

I too watched the game (no other choice), and have to return the disagreement.

First, on defense, the Titans stink. The secondary is college level.

Second, on offense, the Titans DID move the ball, even after the first drive. I do not think there was much in terms of 'adjustment' on the Steelers side. What they did was tighten things up, and force turnovers.

Here are the drives for the Titans (over 300 total yards ... and not coming after they were 'out of it', as is common):

1st Drive - 61 yards, TD

2nd Drive - 28 yards, Fumble

3rd Drive - 40 yards, FG

4th Drive - 51 yards, INT

5th Drive - started with only :21 on clock, End Of Half

6th Drive - 32 yards, Punt (notice, first punt of game ... 2 turnovers killed them)

etc.

After that, things got tough as they were way down. Even so, they still drove inside the 20 one more time, and turned it over again. Adjustments by Steelers? Somewhat, ... but we all know that once you get to that many turnovers (especially when deep down the field), the offense deserves plenty of blame.

I saw a defense that showed some holes. Are they still good? No doubt. Minimally, one of the top 3. But they do have holes. The secondary is suspect. Don't bother trying to run between the tackles. I'm hoping the Bengals try the 5 wide-out sets against them. Better yet, put both Rudi and Perry in the backfield, run Perry in motion, with 3 other wide-outs spreading the field. You will need to count on Palmer's smarts, and quick release to overcome the guys coming off the ends, but that will beat them. I've watched this defense every week for 14 years. Every week ... every play. They can be beaten. Just look at what the Pats continue to do to them, and what the Raiders did to them a few years back. You CANNOT be afraid attack them with the pass, over, and over. A good QB can make it happen. They have no answer for that.

[clevelandbengal]

I didnt want to start another thread but in the new SI power rankings they have the dolphins and the 49ers ranked better than us. WTF what is next the Bears and Browns? I normally dont care about rankings but for god sake give us alittle respect.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writ...eek1/index.html

[skyline]

I didnt want to start another thread but in the new SI power rankings they have the dolphins and the 49ers ranked better than us. WTF what is next the Bears and Browns? I normally dont care about rankings but for god sake give us alittle respect.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writ...eek1/index.html

Wow...that guy sure lives in the moment, doesn't he?

Texans dead last???

[DC_Bengals_Fan]

You know you cannot add a 'Steeler reference' without getting a reply from your resident Steeler Hater (life-long Bengal diehard living in Pittsburgh ... you try that ... it'll drive you absolutely nuts!).  The Steelers may very well have another good/great year, but this type of disrespect drives me nuts as well.  And trust me, it will grow even more after this coming weekend.  Just look at the bottom-dwellers in this ESPN ranking.  Texans, Titans, Bears, and Browns.  Without question, the Bears have the better defense of this group, and for that reason alone, probably deserver a bit more respect (but not much).  That leaves the Texans, Titans, and Browns.  Of these, the Steelers play the Titans and Texans the first two weeks.  We saw what they did to the Titans, and that's exactly what they should have done.  They should (and probably will) do the same to the Texans on Sunday.  But they will be considered to be the dominant offense, etc. No comment will be thrown out asking the level of the opponent.  But yet with the Bengals, all they say is look at the opponent. 

Some mitigating factors:

1) CIN did jump 7 spots, so it's not as if they're completely disregarding the win;

2) PIT beat TEN much worse than CIN beat CLE;

3) The media still thinks TEN will bounce back, whereas CLE has been bad for some time and will continue to be.

Given that, they should be more impressed by PIT's win than CIN's. Whether assumption 3) remains valid remains to be seen.

[The Big Orange]

I didnt want to start another thread but in the new SI power rankings they have the dolphins and the 49ers ranked better than us. WTF what is next the Bears and Browns? I normally dont care about rankings but for god sake give us alittle respect.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2005/writ...eek1/index.html

I am telling you that no media outlet hates us like SI...it's almost amazing. We are the lowest ranked 1-win team except Washington who appears to be in the middle of a QB switch.

Peter...no love

Z-no love

If we make it past the first round of the playoffs I am going to write a scalding letter to these guys and any other media outlet that will lisyten and show what a joke these guys are...I bet it gets published somewhere.

SI in Spanish stands for Stupido Infineto

[The Big Orange]

More love from SI

Daunte Culpepper

Just throw out Culpepper's three-pick, zero-TD performance against Tampa Bay. Bucs defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin owns the Vikings QB. In six starts against Kiffin's D, Culpepper is 2-4 with five touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Last season, Culpepper struggled against good pass defenses and torched bad ones. That pattern was particularly true in the five games Randy Moss sat out with a hamstring injury. As long as he was facing a unit ranked in the league's lower third in passing defense, Culpepper came up with huge numbers without Moss. Tampa Bay ranked first in pass defense in '04, so it's not a surprise Minnesota couldn't move the ball through the air. This week's opponent, the Bengals, ranked 13th against the pass last year, so Culpepper should improve in Week 2, and then really start to put up big numbers against more vulnerable NFC North defenses later in the season.

[LABengalsFan09]

SI in Spanish stands for Stupido Infineto

or "sin inteligencia" which means without intelligence!

[Stripes]

These Sports Illustrated rankings are absolutely rediculous. This Dr. Z fellow is in the wrong business, and is undeserving of EVER posting another article in his life.

49ers are 15th?! Are you insane? Are you stupid?

Texans at the bottom?! This idiocy warrants no comment.

Jets behind Browns?! Unbelievable.

These rankings are obviously supported ONLY by week one performances.

Good thing they are meaningless.

[Bobcat Bengal]

If we make it past the first round of the playoffs I am going to write a scalding letter to these guys and any other media outlet that will lisyten and show what a joke these guys are...I bet it gets published somewhere.

I can't wait.

Please write that article.

[Jet23]

Didn't Chris Berman pick the Browns to win straight up? Does that guy even watch football?

O.K., the Uncle Gary Redus a bedtime story and

Burt be home Blyleven was pretty cool, but other than that, the 'Swami' is pretty much a putz!