Prospects for Help this Weekend

[HoosierCat]

Bengals could use losses by SD, KC, Pitt, and Jax this week. I think they get the Pitt loss, but not the others.

San Diego (6-4) @ Washington (5-5)

SD seems to be getting on a roll, but could trip up here. The Chargers have been iffy (3-2) on the road while DC has been strong (4-1) at home. Nether team has done well against opponents from the other conference. DC is 0-3 vs. the AFC; SD is 1-2 vs. the NFC, losing games to two other NFC East teams, Philly and Dallas. Latest reports say Gates will play for SD. Between him, Brees, and LT it promises to be a tough day for Washington's D. Bengals could get some help here but I doubt it. Pick: SD.

New England (6-4) @ Kansas City (6-4)

Leave it to Corey Dillon to let Cincy fans down even in New England, where he's nursing a calf injury and is listed as questionable after missing last week's game against New Orleans. NE has been scraping by all season, thanks mostly to a horrible AFC East. KC, meanwhile, has a brutal second-half schedule and cannot afford to let a beatable Patriots team get out of town with a win. NE is 3-2 on the road, KC 3-1 at home. I don't see much hope of help here for the Bengals. Pick: KC.

Jacksonville (7-3) @ Arizona (3-7)

Well, this game is a road game for Jax, which offers some hope since Jax is only fair (3-2), but the Cardinals are just 2-3 at home. 'Zona did show some life last week when Warner slapped around his old team, but the Rams are a wreck. Jax is coming into its second straight road game, after squeaking by Tennessee last week 31-28. I've seen a few pundits pick this game as their "upset special," with Jax losing, but I just don't see it myself. Pick: Jaguars.

Pittsburgh (7-3) @ Indianapolis (10-0)

The good news for the Bengals is that the Colts should win. Coupled with a win over Baltimore this weekend (which the Bengals had better do!) they would have a 1-game lead going into Pittsburgh the next week. The bad news is that the Colts are beginning to beg the question, why not just call it a season and give them the Lombardi now? Bengals take back the division lead, for a week at least. Pick: Colts.

[derekshank]

I would pick New England to beat KC. I know NE isn't the team they used to be, but KC is possibly the worst 6-4 team in the league. Did you see the way they lost against Buffalo? They are over-rated.

[HoosierCat]

I would pick New England to beat KC. I know NE isn't the team they used to be, but KC is possibly the worst 6-4 team in the league. Did you see the way they lost against Buffalo? They are over-rated.

I totally agree; I think KC will be lucky to finish the season 9-7. But if KC is the worst 6-4 team in the league, New England is the second-worst 6-4 team in the league. And they can afford to lose. They still have two bye weeks...err...excuse me...two games left against the Jets...and they host Miami in January to close out the season. And 9-7 is a lock in the AFC East. 8-8 might even work. Ugh.

[CBin2k7]

I have a feeling that Washington will beat San Diego, don't underestimate how hard it is to travel east for west coast teams. That is a huge game for Washington as well, because a loss would pretty much eliminate them from the playoff consideration.

Jacksonville seems to play down to opponents and Arizona has a good passing game to give the Jaguars trouble, I think JAX will win, but it may be very close.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

I tend to agree with JC above and the one game that is kind of a toss-up is the Wash/SD game, and the KC/NE game should be a good one as well.

I suppose if Pitt does their duty and the Bengals take care of their own business, they won't need any help, hopefully.

[HoosierCat]

I have a feeling that Washington will beat San Diego, don't underestimate how hard it is to travel east for west coast teams. That is a huge game for Washington as well, because a loss would pretty much eliminate them from the playoff consideration.

Jacksonville seems to play down to opponents and Arizona has a good passing game to give the Jaguars trouble, I think JAX will win, but it may be very close.

I was looking at the injury news this afternoon and DC has a lot of guys banged up. OTOH Fred Taylor is hurt (again) in Jax and will be out for the Cards game...

[walshfan]

KC should win this one at home.....Larry Johnson and Co wont be slowed

Jax will cruise with or without Taylor..Leftwich is coming on now...

SanDiego will squeak one out in Wash..

Indy will win hopefully thump them!

Race for the wildcard gets tighter and tighter...

[bengalindian]

Another important thing to watch in the Colts-Squeelers game is to see if Peyton and co. can exploit the Steelers D. Hopefully Chad and Carson will be travelling up to Indy to see the game, and if not, watch to see if and how the Colts cause trouble for the Pittsburgh defense.

[BengalszoneBilly]

Another important thing to watch in the Colts-Squeelers game is to see if Peyton and co. can exploit the Steelers D. Hopefully Chad and Carson will be travelling up to Indy to see the game, and if not, watch to see if and how the Colts cause trouble for the Pittsburgh defense.

I have no doubt Carson, Chad, and every other Cincinnati Bengals player will be watching that game very intently! Notes will be taken, video recorded and studied through the remainder of this season.

[membengal]

I am a little more optimistic. I think three of the four the Bengals would like to lose will lose.