Writers want the Bengals to win each game 47-0

[walzav29]

It's weird. I know you should never care what writers say, but it's strange that the cliche quotes don't apply to the Bengals. Why isn't this just a let down game? Why after beating "phenoms" like the Bears, Steelers, and Vikings not count as beating winning teams? Why are the Steelers back to playing Steeler ball when they lose to the Ravens on their way to 3 losses in a row

? Why doesn't the rule of good teams beat the teams they are supposed to beat and it's tough to win on the road count? Everyone just seems to be waiting for them to lose and say HA! The fact is they got handled in 1 game. They corrected the issue against the run and avenged it. They lost on the road to a playoff team by a field goal, and they went toe-to-toe with the undefeated Colts. It just seems weird.

[HoosierCat]

Yeah, I know what you mean. I got a good chuckle out of the "fine 15" from Peter "Bengals hater" King today...

1. Indianapolis (13-0). Ball's in your court, Tony Dungy. You've got one heck of a chance to run the table now.

2. Denver (10-3). Black Sunday around the NFL nearly caught the Broncos with their pants down.

3. New England (8-5). Slowly, methodically, they're starting to look like the old Patriots. And that might be trouble for someone the first weekend of the playoffs. Probably Jacksonville. You must be asking: How can you move New England up so far so fast. Simple answer: I don't love anyone else.

4. Seattle (11-2). Do I think the Giants, on five out of 10 days, would beat Seattle? I do. This all comes down to one thing: I trust Matt Hasselbeck more than I trust Eli Manning right now.

5. San Diego (8-5). Rerun of the late 2004 Indy-San Diego game this week at the RCA Dome. Even at the same site. Only this one means so much more to the Chargers. If they don't win here, there's a very good chance they won't make the playoffs. Very good chance.

6. New York Giants (9-4). Jay Feely for mayor of Moonachie!

7. Cincinnati (10-3). I'm not asking for style points on a win, but they let the Browns hang around too long. That was just waaaaay too hard. Either that or Romeo Crennel ought to get some Coach of the Year votes.

OK, so let me get this straight: Giants need OT to beat the sagging, injury-ridden Eagles and Feeley's a hero. San Diego...only an oblique mntion of their loss to one of the league's bottom-dwellers. And Denver's near-defeat by Blow-a-more? Well, just one of those weird "black Sunday" things, y'know.

But the Bengals win ugly against Cleveland and it's all about style points and letting them hang around and "waaaay too hard."! C'mon, King, you fat POS, why don't you just 'fess up? Even if the Bengals don't lose another game and win the Super Bowl, your story the following Monday will be "How Cincy Stole the Lombardi."

[Kirkendall]

I want writers to win each game 47-0. I guess I'm just biased...

JC, I think I've put all national football writers in the same catagory. Whole lotta nuttin'. Hobs and Monotone Curnutte are our boys!

[walzav29]

I'm telling you. Something happend to King in Cincinnati. I don't know if a Gimp got ahold of him, the team hooked up with his wife, or he got cut off at an all you can eat Chili bar. He is always down on the Bengals.

[Whur CHad At?]

I don't get this, the Broncos almost lost to the RAVENS and he has them ranked #2. What a fat biased peice of crap. This is so ridiculous. The Bengals still after coming out of 15 years of Purgatory with a 10-3 record get no respect from anyone.

On Sportscenter, their highlights of the Bengals were short and they acted like the game was no biggie. But yet they talk about the Broncos, and Steelers games for like a half hour like they are more important. What do we have to DO!?!?!?! Jeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeezzzz

[kingwilly]

The only reason this is happening is because it is all too new and frsh that the Bengals are an Elite team. No writer has really embraced the bengals for fear of a last second detonation and plummet from the top.

For example, if King had us up around 3-5, and we tank the next 3 games...he'd look like a cincy homer who "drank the koool-aid" and then had to apologize and have to explain himslef for the next 6 months. He is the ultimate conservative writer who is ready to get on Brady's jock now that they show a glimmer of life....go figure.

This is going to take some time and several more wins. Let's just enjoy the ride and be sure to have your digital cameras ready to catch the action at the crow eating festival in Detroit.

[ahanes]

F*ck Peter King. For some reason or other, he has been hating on the Bengals all year. As said above, Denver only wins by 2 against Baltimore at home and King has them at #2??? San Diego loses at home to a s**tty Miami team and that fatass has them at number 5?? And New England at 8-5 is all the way at #3??? King has a mancrush on Bill Bellichik and Tom Brady. Oh well...just sit back and watch him start sniffing the Bengals' jocks when they make a run in the playoffs.

[jjakq27]

I am not sure what Peter King's problem is. I hope people locally aren't getting spoiled already after such a long time of suffering. I think the bar is being raised every game though. Expectations are higher based on what this team has actually done to some good teams. People need to remember that 14 of the 16 are the same teams that the Steelers, Ravens and Browns play. We've beaten them ....they haven't.

Let's look at the progression since the beginning of '03.

Win games at home

Beat teams of equal or lesser quality

Compete and occasionally beat the better team

Win on the road

Win inside the division

Run inside the division

Stop the run in the division

No more moral victories

Have a winning record

Make the playoffs

Host a playoff game

...and who knows what's next.

That's pretty damn amazing if you ask me. 10-3 with a chance to set the franchise record for regular season wins (12) and total wins (14), only three years after setting the record for franchise losses (2-14).

I think some people need a reality check and need to stop being stupid asses.

So the details don't really matter. An ugly win or two throughout the season is normal. Even the Miami Dolphins in 1972 won the ugly ones.

[richmond_mat]

good teams beat the teams they are supposed to beat

Dan Marino said exactly that on CBS's wrap up. But he was cut short for time.

[buck3y3d]

I'm telling you. Something happend to King in Cincinnati. I don't know if a Gimp got ahold of him, the team hooked up with his wife, or he got cut off at an all you can eat Chili bar. He is always down on the Bengals.

I have thought this for some time too. I love Peter King because I don't know who I'd hate without him.

[jjakq27]

good teams beat the teams they are supposed to beat

Dan Marino said exactly that on CBS's wrap up. But he was cut short for time.

Trent Dilfer told Carson Palmer the same thing after the game on Sunday. He's got the ring to prove it.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

The Bengals have had problems not just with the Browns - but with the Texans and Packers at home, and only beat Baltimore by a TD as well at home.

I have a hard time justifying 7th over-all - but defense DOES count in this league and I'm sure that's what's keeping writers from having any confidence in Cincy when they squeak by so many bad teams at home.

To base anything on this past weekend though so drastically is stupid - I agree - considering the how bad the Broncos, Chargers and Giants played also.

If the Bengals take care of business the next 3 weeks, they'll be in everyone's top 3 - for now, who cares, the Bengals' just need to take care of business, what writers have to say obviously means nothing ultimately.

Just more vindication and reason to enjoy it when/if the Bengals prove people wrong.

[ShulaSteakhouse]

By the way, it isn't all bad from writers:

Vic Carrucci, NFL.COM

Maybe it wasn't as easy as or as pretty as it should have been. The Bengals don't care. At least, they shouldn't care. The fact they found a way to win against a Browns team with plenty of fight left was impressive.

Michael Smith, ESPN.COM

It's a hard thing to be nowadays, but Rudi Johnson is underrated. Often overshadowed by Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson, Johnson shares more with Edgerrin James than just the number 32. I think each player's value to his offense might be underestimated. Johnson ran for 169 yards to help offset Palmer's off day against Cleveland.

Clarke Judge, CBSSportsline

The forgotten man in Cincinnati is running back Rudi Johnson. The Bengals thought enough of him to trade away Corey Dillon after the 2003 season. Now Johnson is the sledgehammer the Bengals envisioned, producing 97 or more yards in four of his past five games. Better yet, he has eight of his 10 touchdowns in that time.

Some not-go-good but just factual:

Don Banks, CNNSI

I'm guessing Carson Palmer cost himself a few MVP votes with his ho-hummer against the Browns: 13 of 27 for 93 yards, with a touchdown and a pick. Lucky for Cincy it had the shoulders of bowling ball running back Rudi Johnson (30 carries for 169 yards and a touchdown) to ride to victory.