1st Round Bye/Playoffs/Final Weekend Scenario

[2ndyearBengal]

There seem to be 4 teams in the hunt for the 2 wild card spots, Pittsburg, Jacksonville, Kansas City, and Sand Diego. If we got the #3 seed in the playoffs and had to play the #6 seed in the first round, I would want to play Pittsburg the most. We could put a final stake in their hearts, end their season, silence their fans... plus I think we have their number and know how to play them.

The team I would least like to play is San Diego. It keeps me up late at night thinking about getting carved up by either LT or Antonio Gates...

Whodey

[walshfan]

I want to play Pittsburgh..

the atmosphere would be exilerating...

I know we can beat them again.. worse this time...

[Bengalbob]

It would be rough trying to contain the SD big two, but man would it be fun. Talk about a shootout! If we matched up with KC that would be tough. Beating them twice in two weeks would be a rough chore.

I think the best match-ups for us are the Jags and the Squeelers.

[HoosierCat]

Well...you can debate the strengths and weakneses of facing this or that team...but from a purely fan perspective...IMHO in this scenario there is only one appropriate opponent.

Let the temperatures drop. Slather your bare arms with vaseline. Breathe smoke.

Bring on the Chargers.

It's time...long past time...for Freezer Bowl II.

[cincykent]

Going into the final game at Kansas City I hope something like this unfolds:

1)the Bengals win vs Cleveland, Detroit, and Buffalo over the next 3 weeks leaving them at 12-3

2)Pittsburgh wins 2 out of their next 3 games leaving them at 9-6

3)San Diego wins 2 out of their next 3 games, losing to Indy and beating KC leaving them at 10-5

4)Kansas City loses at least 2 of their next 3 games leaving them at 9-6

5)Since Denver plays Baltimore, Buffalo, and Oakland let's assume they will be 12-3

Denver plays at San Diego the final weekend on Saturday the day before the Bengals play at KC

The Chargers will be in a must win situation since they lost to the Steelers in the regular season

The Chiefs will be deflated after being eliminated from the playoff race

A San Diego win over Denver and Bengals win over KC leaves the Bengals with the #2 seed, first round bye, and 2nd round home game

[Green 66]

Yeah i like the idea of the Chargers here in January again. bring all the old school bengal greats out to inspire the team to victory. Show the new generation of bengal fans the steel of the men in stripes. excellent excellent.

Mike Green

Waynesville Ohio

[HoosierCat]

Can you imagine? Lapham would probably insist on doing the radio broadcast from the sideline while wearing boxers and a "do your job" t-shirt! But whoever we get (and bring on SD!) Marvin is getting them ready. Check out this tidbit from the tail end of Hobson's latest piece...

But Lewis seems to have actually enjoyed taking his team outside this week in sub-freezing temperatures all three practice days. And on Thursday, it was even held in a driving snow for about an hour. It added in his bid reinforce the tough-minded concept.

“We’ve got to be the only team in the league that’s been outside this week,” one Bengal actually said happily. “It’s made us tough.”

“We’ve gotten acclimated to it over the last month. We had a lot of cold weather during the week. Sundays haven’t been as cold until last Sunday,” Lewis said. “So it’s been good. We had to work Wednesday, Thursday outside in the cold weather. The guys get acclimated to it. Because you have to play fast. You have to have that kind of mentality.”

[membengal]

Gold star to this post.

That's the exact set-up I am rooting for.

[Columbusbengal]

It would be rough trying to contain the SD big two, but man would it be fun. Talk about a shootout! If we matched up with KC that would be tough. Beating them twice in two weeks would be a rough chore.

I think the best match-ups for us are the Jags and the Squeelers.

The Jags are my first choice. We lost by three points in their stadium on a nationally televised game - and I know we didn't have Richie Braham and I'm pretty sure we didn't have TJ either. Am I wrong? At home, I am positive we'll beat them (especially if Byron Leftwich isn't totally healthy).

Well...you can debate the strengths and weakneses of facing this or that team...but from a purely fan perspective...IMHO in this scenario there is only one appropriate opponent.

Bring on the Chargers.

It's time...long past time...for Freezer Bowl II.

I agree. It would be so eerie if the Bengals beat San Diego at home in the AFC championship with bitter cold weather, thereby earning a trip to Detroit for the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, that can't happen unless either the Bengals or Chargers first beat Indy

[Stripes]

That would indeed be perfect, and the chances of such do seem very high.

[Stripes]

I'd prefer they face the Jaguars of all possible options, but if that doesn't happen, I'll take the Steelers.

[DontPushMe]

Jaguars by far. I think honestly if they had to come here in the playoffs we would just beat the hell out of them. We barely lost because of an offensive breakdown, and our O is playing way better now then it was back then.

[derekshank]

The 2nd seed is much more important than just getting our players an extra week of rest…

Based on the way the season is likely to play out, the 6 AFC playoff teams will be Indy, Cincy, Den, NE, Jax, and SD (w/ the slight possibility of KC or Pit in their place). If we get the 2nd seed, and the 1st round bye, this is how it would likely play out…

1) Ind – bye

2) Cin – bye

3) Den vs. 6) SD

4) NE vs 5) Jax

In these match-ups SD would have a decent chance of beating Denver… and being the 6th seed, they would automatically play Indy. We would then draw the winner of the NE/Jax game… which is favorable for us in comparison.

There is also the potential that the Chargers would upset Indy (probably more likely than NE or Jax doing it) and we would then have homefield advantage in the AFC championship game… But even if Denver were to beat SD… at least we would play the Broncos in Cincy.

However, if Denver gets the 2nd seed, the road to Detroit gets a lot harder.

1) Ind – bye

2) Den – bye

3) Cin vs. 6) SD

4) NE vs 5) Jax

We would be forced to beat a very dangerous SD team, before going to the best homefield advantage in the NFL @ mile-high in Den. That means the road to the Superbowl would require us to beat, SD, Den, and Indy. These are 3 of the 5 best teams in the NFL, and that makes it a very difficult road.

Our best chance to win it all requires us to get that bye week… and therefore, every game we play is vitally important to our Superbowl chances. We need to go 13-3, and have SD beat Den in the last week of the season… or else we might find ourselves saying “Wait until next year.”

[derekshank]

I wouldn't put it past SD to beat Indy. If Indy wins @ Jax this weekend they will clinch homefield. The only thing they will be playing for is their undefeated season... whatever you think about it, that is a lot different than playing for your playoff lives like SD will be next week at this point.

[Stripes]

I agree on all points. That bye week would be huge for us no matter how you slice the cheesecake. Still, I think that no matter what seeding we end up with, a probable game at Indy would be included in the road to Detroit, and that'd be the key in every scenario.

[walshfan]

a bye is like a win in the first round no? thats the way i percieve it.

one less game to win to get to the big show...

[derekshank]

a bye is like a win in the first round no? thats the way i percieve it.

one less game to win to get to the big show...

Yes and no. It is more or less a free win... but it is also home field advantage... and greatly effects what teams you draw to make it to the big game.

[AMC]

And an extra week of rest for the players....If that's a good thing momentum wise???

[BengalszoneBilly]

And an extra week of rest for the players....If that's a good thing momentum wise???

Exactly AMC! A great point you make. A bye week would be detrimental (IMHO of course) to the momentum the team is currently generating! Plus it is NOT a requirement to win any Super Bowl. Check the playoff records of the Baltimore Ravens, the 2000 Super Bowl winners. They went in as a wildcard, had no bye's, built momentum in each game, and simply kicked the New York Giant's asses! Let me refresh some memories here:

In the first playoff game at PSInet Stadium the Ravens defense continued to overwhelm the opposition shutting down the Denver Broncos 21-3. A week later in Tennessee the Ravens were heavy underdogs facing the Titans in the Divisional Playoffs. The Titans controlled the game most of the way but the Ravens defense held the game tied at 10 going into the 4th Quarter. However, the Titans appeared on the verge of taking the lead as PK Al Del Greco set up for a short Field Goal. The Ravens defense would step up and snatch the game away as Anthony Mitchell blocked and returned the kick 90-yards for a go ahead TD. The Ravens would seal the game 24-10 on a 50-yard Interception return by Ray Lewis moments later. In the AFC Championship at Oakland the Ravens were heavy underdogs again facing the Raiders. The Ravens grabbed control early as Trent Dilfer hit TE Shannon Sharpe on a96-yard TD pass. It was all the points the Ravens would need as the defense smothered the Raiders in a 16-3 win to earn a trip to the Super Bowl.

In Super Bowl XXXV, facing the New York Giants in Tampa, the Baltimore Ravens found themselves in an unlikely Super Bowl match up. In the first half the Ravens defense was dominant holding a 10-0 lead. Late in the 3rd Quarter the Ravens defense scored again, as Duane Starks returned an interception 47-yards for a TD. However, on the ensuing kickoff the Giants would get on the board as Ron Dixon returned the kickoff 97 yards for a TD to get the Giants back into the game at 17-7. However, the Ravens would respond in the blink of an eye as Jermaine Lewis returned a kickoff of his own 84 yards to give the Ravens a 24-7 lead. In total a record 3 consecutive returns for touchdowns were made as fans got whiplash in the most exciting 36 seconds in Super Bowl history. The Ravens would go on to score 10 points in the 4th Quarter for an impressive 34-7 victory as Ray Lewis was named Super Bowl MVP.

Personally I want to see as many Bengals playoff games as possible! It has been 15 years since the last, so we've had our "breather." It's time to play and START KICKING SOME SERIOUS ASS EVERY WEEK, NOW THROUGH JANURARY!! WHO DEY!!

[AMC]

I'm glad somebody else has the time to figure all this stuff out! Saves me alot of trouble!

[cincy9275]

getting the 2nd seed is would make a huge difference

[CBin2k7]

I wouldn't mind seeing San Diego in the playoffs. The Chargers would have a very hard time stopping us because they don't have the secondary to match up. They play a 3-4 defense and get a lot of pressure from the LB's but our offensive line has shown of late that they can handle that. Furthermore, a cold January game in cincy is something the Chargers don't want a part of. Let that wind blow, and let the cold come right in, and bring the Chargers in from SD and see them get crushed.

Other than that, I think this team really wants Jacksonville again.

[The Big Orange]

The 2nd seed is much more important than just getting our players an extra week of rest…

Based on the way the season is likely to play out, the 6 AFC playoff teams will be Indy, Cincy, Den, NE, Jax, and SD (w/ the slight possibility of KC or Pit in their place). If we get the 2nd seed, and the 1st round bye, this is how it would likely play out…

1) Ind – bye

2) Cin – bye

3) Den vs. 6) SD

4) NE vs 5) Jax

In these match-ups SD would have a decent chance of beating Denver… and being the 6th seed, they would automatically play Indy. We would then draw the winner of the NE/Jax game… which is favorable for us in comparison.

There is also the potential that the Chargers would upset Indy (probably more likely than NE or Jax doing it) and we would then have homefield advantage in the AFC championship game… But even if Denver were to beat SD… at least we would play the Broncos in Cincy.

However, if Denver gets the 2nd seed, the road to Detroit gets a lot harder.

1) Ind – bye

2) Den – bye

3) Cin vs. 6) SD

4) NE vs 5) Jax

We would be forced to beat a very dangerous SD team, before going to the best homefield advantage in the NFL @ mile-high in Den. That means the road to the Superbowl would require us to beat, SD, Den, and Indy. These are 3 of the 5 best teams in the NFL, and that makes it a very difficult road.

Our best chance to win it all requires us to get that bye week… and therefore, every game we play is vitally important to our Superbowl chances. We need to go 13-3, and have SD beat Den in the last week of the season… or else we might find ourselves saying “Wait until next year.”

Doing a little bracketology I think it goes like this...

Scenario 1

1) Ind – bye

2) Cin – bye

3) Den vs. 6) SD

4) NE vs 5) Jax

Denver beats SD

NE beats Jax

Cin beats Den

Indy beats NE

Cin beats Indy

Cin plays Carolina???

Chad is crowned Nostrodamous

Scenario 2

1) Ind – bye

2) Den – bye

3) Cin vs. 6) SD

4) NE vs 5) Jax

Cin beats SD

NE beats Jax

Cin beats Den

Indy beats NE

Indy beats Cin

Indy plays Carolina???

Chad spends a month in the desert trying to figure out how he read the tea leaves wrong.

I think if we don't get a bye we have little chance beating (if even playing) Indy

WIN OUT!!!

[membengal]

And an extra week of rest for the players....If that's a good thing momentum wise???

Exactly AMC! A great point you make. A bye week would be detrimental (IMHO of course) to the momentum the team is currently generating! Plus it is NOT a requirement to win any Super Bowl. Check the playoff records of the Baltimore Ravens, the 2000 Super Bowl winners. They went in as a wildcard, had no bye's, built momentum in each game, and simply kicked the New York Giant's asses! Let me refresh some memories here:

In the first playoff game at PSInet Stadium the Ravens defense continued to overwhelm the opposition shutting down the Denver Broncos 21-3. A week later in Tennessee the Ravens were heavy underdogs facing the Titans in the Divisional Playoffs. The Titans controlled the game most of the way but the Ravens defense held the game tied at 10 going into the 4th Quarter. However, the Titans appeared on the verge of taking the lead as PK Al Del Greco set up for a short Field Goal. The Ravens defense would step up and snatch the game away as Anthony Mitchell blocked and returned the kick 90-yards for a go ahead TD. The Ravens would seal the game 24-10 on a 50-yard Interception return by Ray Lewis moments later. In the AFC Championship at Oakland the Ravens were heavy underdogs again facing the Raiders. The Ravens grabbed control early as Trent Dilfer hit TE Shannon Sharpe on a96-yard TD pass. It was all the points the Ravens would need as the defense smothered the Raiders in a 16-3 win to earn a trip to the Super Bowl.

In Super Bowl XXXV, facing the New York Giants in Tampa, the Baltimore Ravens found themselves in an unlikely Super Bowl match up. In the first half the Ravens defense was dominant holding a 10-0 lead. Late in the 3rd Quarter the Ravens defense scored again, as Duane Starks returned an interception 47-yards for a TD. However, on the ensuing kickoff the Giants would get on the board as Ron Dixon returned the kickoff 97 yards for a TD to get the Giants back into the game at 17-7. However, the Ravens would respond in the blink of an eye as Jermaine Lewis returned a kickoff of his own 84 yards to give the Ravens a 24-7 lead. In total a record 3 consecutive returns for touchdowns were made as fans got whiplash in the most exciting 36 seconds in Super Bowl history. The Ravens would go on to score 10 points in the 4th Quarter for an impressive 34-7 victory as Ray Lewis was named Super Bowl MVP.

Personally I want to see as many Bengals playoff games as possible! It has been 15 years since the last, so we've had our "breather." It's time to play and START KICKING SOME SERIOUS ASS EVERY WEEK, NOW THROUGH JANURARY!! WHO DEY!!

Billy, step away from the crack pipe, please. A bye, if they can get it, should worry no one. Would you rather have the Bengals have to win three games to the get to the Super Bowl, or two? I myself would rather it be two.

And, consider this, while they sit out and get a little healthy, a group of likely New England, Denver, San Diego and Jacksonville would be beating each other silly just for the right to get to play Cincinnati. In Cincinnati. You would honestly rather be a PART of that kind of scrum? Makes no sense.

Finally, not saying that it would happen, but just envision, if you will, a second round game with the Colts hosting, say, New England. It wouldn't be the most surprising thing ever for an upset there, which would mean the Bengals would host the AFC Championship game with a win in their second round game.

There are no real good reasons to want to play an extra playoff game. None. Honestly, I think you must have gotten into Schweinhart's stash from his "root-for-the-Steelers-against-the-Colts" thread.

[BengalszoneBilly]

Scenario 2

1) Ind – bye

2) Den – bye

3) Cin vs. 6) SD

4) NE vs 5) Jax

Cin beats SD

NE beats Jax

Cin beats Den

Indy beats NE

Indy beats Cin

Indy plays Carolina???

Chad spends a month in the desert trying to figure out how he read the tea leaves wrong.

I think if we don't get a bye we have little chance beating (if even playing) Indy

WIN OUT!!!

I'll take a scenario #2, and super size it please. Actually I think the no bye week is the best approach for this young team. It keeps the momentum rolling, AND THEIR HEADS IN THE GAME. Remember...we had a bye week before we played Indy last time, and the team came out a little flat, especially the defense, and we lost!

BYE = BAD!!!