if somehow

[omahacolt]

the bengals didnt make the playoffs but finished with a good record of say 10-6. would you guys be really pissed or happy that the franchise is on the way up and looking forward to next year?

i would love to see the bengals make the playoffs. i like the bengals and have been really impressed with the way they have been drafting

[walzav29]

I can't take any more waiting. Just make the playoffs. I remember that damn 10-6 season in 86. Them F'n Dolphins couldn't beat the Patriots on Monday night and I was sick to my stomach. I just want them in the playoffs. I am exhausted from saying next year. Yes. I'll be pissed.

[duus]

If they finish with an 11-5 or 12-4 record and didn't make the playoffs, then fine. That's a great record, and the future looks bright. If it's not good enough for the playoffs, then that's the way the year unfolded. If they finish 9-7 or 10-6, then I think that is a different story! That would mean that they lose 4 or 5 of the remaining 7! To go 3-4 or 2-5 to finish the year would really bug me big time. 4-3 or 5-2, on the otherhand, and life goes on ... and next year will have a new set of expectations.

My money is on 5-2 ... which will be 12-4. Losing the division on tie-breakers, but getting the Number 5 seed. I don't expect much in the playoffs with a number 5 or 6 seed, but I'll accept it. Man, if only they could find a way to beat the Steelers on 12/4!!!! ... things would be quite different if that happened!

[Jet23]

the bengals didnt make the playoffs but finished with a good record of say 10-6. would you guys be really pissed or happy that the franchise is on the way up and looking forward to next year?

i would love to see the bengals make the playoffs. i like the bengals and have been really impressed with the way they have been drafting

With the Chiefs losing last week, it is unlikely that an 11-5. Starting 7 - 2 anything less than a playoff appearance would be a major disappointment.

the bengals didnt make the playoffs but finished with a good record of say 10-6. would you guys be really pissed or happy that the franchise is on the way up and looking forward to next year?

i would love to see the bengals make the playoffs. i like the bengals and have been really impressed with the way they have been drafting

With the Chiefs losing last week, it is unlikely that an 11-5. Starting 7 - 2 anything less than a playoff appearance would be a major disappointment.

Sorry, that should read:

With the Chiefs losing last week, it is unlikely that an 11-5 record would not get them in. Starting 7 - 2, anything less than a playoff appearance would be a major disappointment.

[The_Next_Big_Thing]

the bengals didnt make the playoffs but finished with a good record of say 10-6. would you guys be really pissed or happy that the franchise is on the way up and looking forward to next year?

I would be pissed, but not at us but the playoff structure, because a team with a losing record could potentially make it to the playoffs from the NFC North!

[Stripes]

I would be pissed, but not at us but the playoff structure, because a team with a losing record could potentially make it to the playoffs from the NFC North!

I highly doubt that happens, with the Bears at 6-3. It could potentially happen in the AFC East however.

[derekshank]

I would be pissed, but not at us but the playoff structure, because a team with a losing record could potentially make it to the playoffs from the NFC North!

I highly doubt that happens, with the Bears at 6-3. It could potentially happen in the AFC East however.

Nah... no team with a losing record will make the playoffs. The Pats have had the toughest schedule in the history of the NFL up to this point... and are still 5-4. They are not the Pats of last year, because they're so beat up... but they're not the Saints. Even if they only beat teams with losing records for the rest of the year, they will be 10-6.

But to answer the question... if we go 10-6... even if we still go to the playoffs, I'll be pissed. There is no reason we should not be able to finish the season 4-3. In fact... we should be able to go 5-2, or 6-1.

If we go 11-5 I'll be happy with a playoff berth... but there is no doubt I'll be pissed if we miss the playoffs for any reason. There will be no excuse for a losing record after the bye when we started 7-2. The Indy and and Pit games will be tough... and even though it's hard to play at KC... we are a lot better than them. I see 12-4 as possible... and 11-5 will be required for me to be happy with this season at this point.

[Stripes]

Yes, I agree Derek, that no losing teams will make it. The Patriots schedule is pretty easy down the stretch, they should be able to get to 10-6.

As for not making the playoffs, of course I'd be disappointed. I'd be in a deep depression all through the offseason, far worse that any other Bengals offseason in recent memory. It was easy last year because we all knew it was over when we started 1-4. This year we have to make it, or it will be official that God hates the Bengals.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

If the Bengals win Sunday, they will be going to the playoffs...that simple. And they go from ? marks and a suprising team, to the talk of the NFL and Palmer will finally get his just due nationally along with Chad as prime time premiere players (justified by coverage and recognition)

Meanwhile the rest of the country can watch the Packers/Vikings on MNF.

I am so sick of the Packers, I am so sick of INT boy Favre, I am so sick of hearing about him, I am so sick of watching the Packers, I just want the Bengals to take their sorry a$$ place in the spotlight so we're not forced to watch that God awful team again for the 9 millionth time and hear every arrogant ESPN commentator get a woody over TO.

I am sick of the Eagles, I am sick of the Packers, they are non-factors this year, yet they are on 24/7 it feels like.

I turned on NFL Live or whatever on ESPN last night to get some scoop on the match-ups this weekend and what's going on with the promising teams.

What did I get? A full episode of Terrell Owens, and another player who has his same agent and a story on him and Rosenhaus coming up after the TO comment fest where we hear how "if he were a team player he would be the best player in the NFL," for 5,000,000,000 time.

I just turned the TV off and went to bed.

ESPN is sorry as hell.

No more Packers, Cowboys or Eagles.

There are other divisions in the NFL, other teams, and real football to talk about and look at.

I am so sick of the Packers and Eagles, so, so very sick of them, and their now overrated QB's, ecspecially #'s man McNabb and his game-ending INT's and constant injuries.

I...just...don't...want....to....hear about the Eagles or Packers or TO ever again....ever.

[Stripes]

What did I get? A full episode of Terrell Owens, and another player who has his same agent and a story on him and Rosenhaus coming up after the TO comment fest where we hear how "if he were a team player he would be the best player in the NFL," for 5,000,000,000 time.

The same thing happened around noon today. I turned on ESPN, and happily noticed that "The Trifecta" was about to start. NFL Live is usually the first show during this segment, and this was no exception. I smiled, sat in my uncomfortable wooden dorm chair, and prepared to hear analysis on this weeks big games. Trey Wingo and crew all sat in their fancy seats, and low and behold, on the front of their "desk" thing, where they display the subject about to be discussed, I see a big picture of 81 in green and white, and it takes all my power to not grab the remote and escape the torture immediately.

I mean hey, they're doing an hour long show today, so they must just be getting T.O. out of the way early so the game analysis can get underway soon. I sat there, patiently, bearing the sickening correspondence of "Rachel Nichols" waiting for football. It never came.

An entire damned hour spent on Terrell Owens. It was despicable. They all seemed enthralled by the drama too, because it is all such new news. Screw ESPN, and screw them hard.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

Unfrikkinbelieveable - glad I'm not the only one who's utterly sick to death of this nonsense.

ESPN needs some competition bad.

I hope this crap goes away after today, but fear it'll only get worse pending the outcome of the stupid hearing.

I honestly am just not that interested in the whole TO thing - you can only talk about it so much before there's not much more to say.

And unfortunately it's completely taking away from the great seasons the Bengals, Colts and Steelers are having thus far. Which is a shame.

ESPN is obsessed with individual players and kissing up to each of them as if they're Gods.

[bengalindian]

Seriously, ESPN needs to change to the soap channel. People wanna hear about sports, not one player and how he's not a team player over and over and over and over and over and over again.

And yes, if the Bengals do not make the playoffs this year, I will be very pissed. Even if they lose to the Colts and the Steelers, they should go 11-5, and the AFC is not that amazing that 11-5 won't make the playoffs.

[CUbaseball11]

omahacolt or whatever the name.......you can't be serious about that question! Not only would I be disappointed, but I'd slip into the "bowels of hell" for 4 months, watch the draft, and go straight back into hell for another 3. I am a baseball lover, played my whole life, through college....and I like basketball. BUT nothing does it for like driving to Cincinnati every Sunday when their at home and watching the games. It's my life, along with my brothers'. The "transitional" (so to speak) phase is over in Cincinnati and I don't care what they finish as far as records go.....nothings a successful season unless it includes a playoff game. I don't hope they make it to the post-season, I expect it. They have the talent on both sides of the ball and it's just time to bring that big siver shaft with the football on top of it to Cincinnati. And I'm not positive, but I think you have to make it to the playoffs first before you can do that. Damn I need a playoff berth.

[omahacolt]

omahacolt or whatever the name.......you can't be serious about that question! Not only would I be disappointed, but I'd slip into the "bowels of hell" for 4 months, watch the draft, and go straight back into hell for another 3. I am a baseball lover, played my whole life, through college....and I like basketball. BUT nothing does it for like driving to Cincinnati every Sunday when their at home and watching the games. It's my life, along with my brothers'. The "transitional" (so to speak) phase is over in Cincinnati and I don't care what they finish as far as records go.....nothings a successful season unless it includes a playoff game. I don't hope they make it to the post-season, I expect it. They have the talent on both sides of the ball and it's just time to bring that big siver shaft with the football on top of it to Cincinnati. And I'm not positive, but I think you have to make it to the playoffs first before you can do that. Damn I need a playoff berth.

now that is a fan.

let me ask you this. if the bengals make it to the playoffs(i believe they will) what would you think about them losing and then having to hear for a full year or more how palmer just cant win the big one. damn that was the worst thing in the world to go through. and yet the colts still go through it. manning cant win a super bowl. manning can only win if the weather is perfect. damn i get so sick of that s**t

[BengalszoneBilly]

let me ask you this. if the bengals make it to the playoffs(i believe they will) what would you think about them losing and then having to hear for a full year or more how palmer just cant win the big one. damn that was the worst thing in the world to go through. and yet the colts still go through it. manning cant win a super bowl. manning can only win if the weather is perfect. damn i get so sick of that s**t

I can sympathize to a point, but they (okay...I!!) have only been saying that about Peyton for the last 2-3 years due to his problems with running into the Patriots in the playoffs. People have been saying derogatory crap about our entire organization for well over 10 years! After that long a time, finding patience to "wait 'till next year" is a pretty futile search. I know my "patience gauge" is sitting hard on "Empty."

Besides, even if/when Palmer experiences a playoff loss, I doubt they'll hang any tag like that on him until he's matured in the league for a few more seasons. But we're also well aware you can only use the "He's a young QB and still learning..." line for so long before people start calling bulls**t on you, and just say you suck, or you choked, or you're too inconsistent, or you fade under pressure, etc.

[omahacolt]

let me ask you this. if the bengals make it to the playoffs(i believe they will) what would you think about them losing and then having to hear for a full year or more how palmer just cant win the big one. damn that was the worst thing in the world to go through. and yet the colts still go through it. manning cant win a super bowl. manning can only win if the weather is perfect. damn i get so sick of that s**t

I can sympathize to a point, but they (okay...I!!) have only been saying that about Peyton for the last 2-3 years due to his problems with running into the Patriots in the playoffs. People have been saying derogatory crap about our entire organization for well over 10 years! After that long a time, finding patience to "wait 'till next year" is a pretty futile search. I know my "patience gauge" is sitting hard on "Empty."

Besides, even if/when Palmer experiences a playoff loss, I doubt they'll hang any tag like that on him until he's matured in the league for a few more seasons. But we're also well aware you can only use the "He's a young QB and still learning..." line for so long before people start calling bulls**t on you, and just say you suck, or you choked, or you're too inconsistent, or you fade under pressure, etc.

hasnt every team had problems running into the patriots in the playoffs?

[BengalszoneBilly]

hasnt every team had problems running into the patriots in the playoffs?

Unfortunately Cincinnati hasn't. That's one of those "problems" we'd like to experience!

[omahacolt]

hasnt every team had problems running into the patriots in the playoffs?

Unfortunately Cincinnati hasn't. That's one of those "problems" we'd like to experience!

maybe the colts can be to the bengals what the pats have been to the colts

[CUbaseball11]

omahacolt or whatever the name.......you can't be serious about that question! Not only would I be disappointed, but I'd slip into the "bowels of hell" for 4 months, watch the draft, and go straight back into hell for another 3. I am a baseball lover, played my whole life, through college....and I like basketball. BUT nothing does it for like driving to Cincinnati every Sunday when their at home and watching the games. It's my life, along with my brothers'. The "transitional" (so to speak) phase is over in Cincinnati and I don't care what they finish as far as records go.....nothings a successful season unless it includes a playoff game. I don't hope they make it to the post-season, I expect it. They have the talent on both sides of the ball and it's just time to bring that big siver shaft with the football on top of it to Cincinnati. And I'm not positive, but I think you have to make it to the playoffs first before you can do that. Damn I need a playoff berth.

now that is a fan.

let me ask you this. if the bengals make it to the playoffs(i believe they will) what would you think about them losing and then having to hear for a full year or more how palmer just cant win the big one. damn that was the worst thing in the world to go through. and yet the colts still go through it. manning cant win a super bowl. manning can only win if the weather is perfect. damn i get so sick of that s**t

Let's just say, to me anyway, the playoffs is the first step. If we lose in the first round and people put the "can't win the big game" logo on Carson....they're idiots. If we lose in the first round for the next three years maybe some fans start to worry about his big game performances. But let me tell you something about Carson, you can call it homerism if you'd like, he's cool-headed and up for the challenge. He's a great performer and a class-act. It would take about 10 years of first round losses to defect my confidence in this guy. Before it's all over he'll be mentioned in the same sentences with the all-time greats (my opinion). You can tell by the way he carries himself on the field. Now.... I can't talk for all Bengal fans but just a playoff berth would suit me fine this year. We've been so bad for so long, it has to be a step-by-step process. No one can expect much more than a playoff berth this season, but at the same time no one should expect anything less either. Nonetheless, I am expecting we'll play New England in the first round and if that happens we'll move on to the AFC semi's. Good luck Sunday.

[turningpoint]

if we didn't make the playoffs we'd get the 20th pick most likely, IMO that' the worst pick in the draft, cause you know you were the best team to not make the playoffs.

[BengalszoneBilly]

hasnt every team had problems running into the patriots in the playoffs?

Unfortunately Cincinnati hasn't. That's one of those "problems" we'd like to experience!

maybe the colts can be to the bengals what the pats have been to the colts

Seeing as how the Colt's won the last game with the Patriots, I find that proposition very appealing!