8 Bye
9 Nov 08 BAL @ CIN --W
Coming off Bye week, getting Roy Williams and Tank Back, will be a big help....
Spread the field, and repeat last weeks game plan...

10 Nov 15 CIN @ PIT --L
As much as I want to force myself to believe that they can win this game...on the road vs that defense, they would have to play out their azz to win this game...

11 Nov 22 CIN @ OAK---W
Rusell makes Akili smith look smart...they are just bad.

12 Nov 29 CLE @ CIN ---W at home vs a bad team, rival or not, should win this game

13 Dec 06 DET @ CIN ----W at home vs another bad football team

14 Dec 13 CIN @ MIN ---L on the road, Peterson/Favre...tough game for anyone in the NFL.

15 Dec 20 CIN @ SD ----W not sold on the Chargers....Rivers is highly over rated at this point and LT is not the same.

16 Dec 27 KC @ CIN----W Chiefs have mailed it in by this point.

17 Jan 03 CIN @ NYJ --W big playoff scenario game here..

I would say one of these games go wrong...but I don't see where the talent of the other teams is that much greater than the Bengals looking down the stretch here.

Palmer and Benson stay healthy, this team can play with just about anyone.

I think the Stoolers will be divisional champs when its all said and done. Here is how their remaining schedule looks...

BYE
@ Broncos
vs. Bengals
@ Chiefs
@ Ravens
vs. Raiders
@ Browns
vs. Packers
vs. Ravens
@ Dolphins

I could see them going undefeated the rest of the season.

8 Bye
9 Nov 08 BAL @ CIN --W - I think this game might be ugly. We played like crap on offense that day. Flacco is suffering from the Sophomore Jinx!

10 Nov 15 CIN @ PIT -- L - Though I am not terribly convinced. Favre in a dome. This game likely decides the division winner.

11 Nov 22 CIN @ OAK---W - The Raiders are terrible. Just terrible.

12 Nov 29 CLE @ CIN ---W - The Clowns will not be throwing much to Massaquoi that game. Derek Anderson chokes this time.

13 Dec 06 DET @ CIN ----W Fortunate schedule might ensure us of a wildcard birth.

14 Dec 13 CIN @ MIN ---L Dont like this game. Favre might throw for 400 or 4 INTS...

15 Dec 20 CIN @ SD ----W the Chargers will have quit on Norv by this point. Bronco witnesses the game live with 3 buddies from Dayton! Free tickets!

16 Dec 27 KC @ CIN----W I would be more concerened if this was at Arrowhead. Keep your eye on this game. It could be a bad stumbling block for us.

17 Jan 03 CIN @ NYJ --L I have no faith in this team when playoffs are on the line...

"Falc, just because I respond, please dont take it to mean that I give a sh!t about you. I respond because you are the type of person that needs to be told what a whack job you are or else you will go on thinking your behavior is normal and accepted. "

Four of the upcoming teams are easily beatable, on paper -- Cleveland, Detroit, Oakland, and Kansas City. If the Bungs simply "take care of business" we will see nine wins and the second winning record in 19 years.

Making the playoffs will require another win or two, and that could conceivably come from the San Diego, NYJ, and Baltimore troika. I'm not predicting anything, but I think 10 or 11 wins are well within the realm of possibility, along with a playoff appearance. Major injuries notwithstanding.

9 Nov 08 BAL @ CIN -- W. Coming off the bye. Biggest tough game remaining that I think we have a chance to win.

10 Nov 15 CIN @ PIT -- L.

11 Nov 22 CIN @ OAK---W. Scared of W. Coast, but we can run it now. We'll need to in this game. Russell sucks, but may have moved onto a backup playing with house $ at this point, who knows.

12 Nov 29 CLE @ CIN ---W.

13 Dec 06 DET @ CIN ----W.

14 Dec 13 CIN @ MIN ---L.

15 Dec 20 CIN @ SD --- L. Bungs will struggle against offenses that pass the ball well. This is Turner's offense now and say what you want about them, they pass well. We also suck on W. Coast.

16 Dec 27 KC @ CIN----W.

17 Jan 03 CIN @ NYJ -- W. Usually agree with what bronco said about playing with a lot on the line, but this team has shown they can play when it matters. Ryan knows how to play Drunkowski though, so a big test for the O-line and Andre Smith here. Not scared of Jets O and there special teams took a big hit when Washington went down.

There you go, a stubborn ass Brown-hole hater like me predicting 11-5. WHO DEY!!!

"We do do, and we do it at a very, very high level," Lewis said.

The only teams that scare me are the teams that have a bona fide #1, all-around, fully-capable (fast, big, strong) wide receiver. That means that I think we'll lose to the Steelers, Chargers, and I don't know who else.

I think this team should go at least 10-6 at this point. If they aren't better than that, then I'll be disappointed. I said it before the first Baltimore game, and I think it's still true: they don't have what it takes to attack our weaknesses.

The game against the Steelers is the only one I think we can't win. With Polamalu back, they'll be so much stronger than the first time we played them and they'll be looking for blood.

I wouldn't normally post this on this board, but I'll tell you the truth: I think we can win the rest of the games after that. I think we're at least as good as the rest of the teams we play from there on out.

We should beat Cleveland, Oakland and Detroit.

I can see us winning a track meet in Minnesota if our offensive line continues to play well. San Diego's defense sucks this year.

We should handle KC and I think Carson will have something to prove going up against Sanchez in the last game.

13-3. There, I said it.

9 Nov 08 BAL @ CIN --L
you guys are all underestimating the Ravens too early. Flacco is a good QB. That defense is excellent. And their running game is actually improved vs. last year. Bungs struggle in big games at PBS, although they do own a home win vs. PGH already

10 Nov 15 CIN @ PIT --L
Pittsburgh during the Tomlin era has been unbeatable at Heinz Field other than a fluke loss to the Giants when their long snapper became injured in game and a loss to the Jags in 2007 (the Jags have been the bain of their existence much like the 49ers to the Bengals or the Broncos to the Browns). No shame in losing here...

11 Nov 22 CIN @ OAK---W
As close to an 'automatic win' as possible...Tom Cable deserves Coach of the Year honors for winning two games with his owner's imposed QB.

12 Nov 29 CLE @ CIN ---W
I'm still not sure how the first meeting was so close, but the Bungs will be prepared this time

13 Dec 06 DET @ CIN ----L
a true toss-up...the Lions are not as bad as the other 'automatic win' teams such as Oakland, Cleveland, St. Louis, KC, and Washington

14 Dec 13 CIN @ MIN ---L
The Vikings are a good team, but like the Detroit game I am willing to concede this one as a 'toss-up'

15 Dec 20 CIN @ SD ----L
Norv is undefeated in the regular season in December and January with the Chargers

16 Dec 27 KC @ CIN----W
Must-win game for the Bengals and their playoff chances...they will not lose this one!

17 Jan 03 CIN @ NYJ --L
they need a loss here to secure their 8-8 season, although this is a winnable game against Dirty Sanchez and Buddy's boy.


8-8, third in the AFC North.

However, I will concede that they do have a number of 'toss-up' games that could swing the Bengals way if their unbelievably good first half luck continues. The three remaining division games, the SD game, and the NFC North games could all go either way. The only games that have already been determined before putting on the pads are the Oakland and KC games. So, what I'm saying is that best case scenario is still 14-2, although HIGHLY doubtful. 8-8 to 10-6 is reasonable. 11-5 or better is only for the Kool-Aid drinkers...

You are making yourself look uneducated, not pessimistic.

They are obviously better than many of the teams remaining on the schedule:

Balt: They already beat them in Bmore. Why don't you believe they have a chance at home? Palmer is 7-3 vs Ravens. Those are compelling reasons to think they have a chance.

Pit: Not quite as good as their record now, are they? You think this team is intimidated by the Steelers? Please. They're well aware they play them twice a year.

Remaining after that:
Oak, Cle, Det, Min, SD, KC and the Jets.

I'm sorry but there's only one team there that's even scary (MIN) and we might just throttle them too. All I'm saying is that 11-5 looks LIKELY, not high on LSD DELUSIONAL. That seems to be the best characterization of your pessimism.

They were 11-5 with Palmer 3 seasons ago. Why does that look so un-doable now that they're actually playing well and the roster is deep?

Stop wallowing in the muck and enjoy the ride. Remove the poles from your rectums.

I'll go with 11-5.


"For me it is far better to grasp the universe at it really is rather than persist in delusion, no matter how satisfying or reassuring."
-Carl Sagan

Some people are just being silly, or going out of their way to be difficult.
Seriously...Pittsburgh on the road is going to be tough, Bengals have won in Pittsburgh, but it is never easy.
Polly back in there, makes that defense, the best in football again.
Cincy can match up well with Henry playing a bigger role.

Vikings...
Dome game, on the road, vs a great qb and the best tailback in football...plus a very good pass rush...I think the Bengals could win this game, but willing to see a loss here.

The rest...should be wins.

[quote]You are making yourself look uneducated, not pessimistic.[/quote]

I watch a ton of football outside of the Bengals, so I know what I'm talking about.

Simply put, I agree that Oakland, Cleveland, and KC are automatic wins. If they lose any of those games then they can kiss their playoff hopes goodbye. Same for Baltimore or Pittsburgh...if those teams lose to Oakland, Cleveland, or KC, then they can kiss their playoff hopes goodbye.

Detroit is better than you guys think. IF the Bengals win this game, it will be by a touchdown or less. Anyone who expects the Bengals to beat the Lions by the same score that they did the Bears is WRONG.

As for Baltimore being at home, prepare to be disappointed. Cincy beating the Steelers and Ravens was a FLUKE. Beating the Ravens on the road had more to do with the Ravens playing an awful game and the defense rallying around Coach Zimmer than anything else. The Bengals were after that Baltimore game the worst 4-1 team that I could remember, and I've been watching NFL football thoroughly since about 1992. Like I said in another thread, the win over the Bears validates them more so than the two fluke wins, not to mention the 'should have been a tie' game against the Browns, which would have been a terrible tie/loss.

Simply put, if they go 11-5 or better, I'll bow down to you guys and admit that I was wrong...I ALWAYS admit when I'm wrong unlike some of you. However, I'm not holding my breath!

Seriously, you are going to claim that a road win against a division rival was a pure fluke based on the Ravens playing bad and not the Bengals playing well enough to make the Ravens look bad?
lol!

You are classic with your negative comments.
Every Bengal win, is b/c the other team had a bad day...

You are killing me.



Frank: "We Are Trying On Every Front To Increase The Role Of Government"

Look dude I'm not saying Marvin and Mikey have re-built the steel curtain. This isn't a dynasty like Boomer says it should be. ("Palmer...should have a 10-year, multiple Super Bowl, Hall-of Fame career") I'm only saying that the games on the schedule favor 11-5 or better this year unless Palmer or many others get hurt seriously.

No really, tell me who is going to beat them in which games?

If they lose to Baltimore at home they may show up and scorch Pittsburgh.
If they beat Pittsburgh, they may have a letdown against blah...
If blah does blah then blah blah blah

Detroit? Seriously? Why are you so high on a team that has won 1 of its last 20 some games? Because YOU THINK they're dangerous? I thought you watched alot of football? You're aware they didn't win a game last year and they have a rookie QB right? The Raiders are as bad as any team I've ever seen in the NFL including any 2-14 Bengals team. The Browns too. Oh and KC? And then the Jets. There are 5 wins right there and I'd wager not by small margins. That's 10-2.

That leaves Bmore, Pburg, Bolts, Vikes. Even if they lose all four of those games, they're 10-6.

Now it could play out that they beat all four of the elite teams and still end up 11-5. But I think that's unlikely given what we've seen this team be capable of.

And furthermore, I couldn't care less if they beat Detroit 2-0.

"For me it is far better to grasp the universe at it really is rather than persist in delusion, no matter how satisfying or reassuring."
-Carl Sagan

I personally dont see how in the world this team could finish worst than 9-7. The second half of the schedule is by far easier than the first half and we finished 5-2 in that stretch. The thing that is amazing is that the team is playing with a lot of heart and fire and beating a lot of good football teams.

Examples: Steelers, Ravens, Packers, Bears.

4 wins off of teams accept the bears that have a legitimate shot at the playoffs.

Now you can argue the wouldve, shouldve, couldve lost all these games except the Bears but the fact of the mater is they won. It is also a football ideology that each game is decided by inches. Inchs separate the good from the bad on the field. You could use this argument in explanation of why this team won all of the games that could have gone either way. The game is four quarters, decided by inches and not over till fat Mrs. brown sings. This also goes for the Denver game. Also, the Bengals Heart, Fire and determination to win has to be accredited a lot and is probably the predominate factor for their success this year.

I think the real reason for the reluctance to believe that this a playoff caliber team stems from 20 years of Mike Brown incompetence. Mike Brown has proven for 20 years he cares nothing about providing the city a championship team and his only concern is the bottom dollar.

But, in saying that I dont see how even the penny pinching, dime stealing, juggernaut of frugality can stop this team from making the playoffs.


Final prediction 11-5.

It is amazing how the Jets dropped off since they lost a few people on their defense to injury. They look like a completely crappier team.

Detroit is better than last year, no doubt. However, once you take away Calvin Johnson, it becomes a lot easier to defend.

Cleveland scared us and rightfully so. Shaun Rogers haunts us every time he plays us (thanks Mikehole). I think this next time, we kick the pizz out of them.

Raiders? Really? Not a chance.

KC? Maybe if it was in Arrowhead and maybe if they weren't imploding right now.

Chargers? I know Norm's record in December, but he will be outgunned on both sides of the ball. Doesnt happen too often. And I will be there live to see it.

If we can go 2-1 against the Ravens, Pittspuke and Minnesota, we might get a first round bye in the playoffs (depending on what Indy, Denver and New England do).

"Falc, just because I respond, please dont take it to mean that I give a sh!t about you. I respond because you are the type of person that needs to be told what a whack job you are or else you will go on thinking your behavior is normal and accepted. "

8-8

8-8 is what I predicted and that is what I predict now. No way am I messing up this season by changing my expectations. When you change anything you might mess something up.

"Well, it ain't braggin' if it's true
Yes sir, yes sir
It ain't braggin' if it's true
Muhammad Ali said that
Back when he was a young man
Back when he was Cassius Clay
Before he fought too many fights
And left his brain inside the ring"

I think they might do 10-6, but no better. Why? Because the Bengals only play well when they don't get any respect. As soon as people start telling them how good they are, they start playing down to the level of crappier teams. The fault of that lies with management and the coaches. Despite my comments about a lack of parity this is still the NFL, and even bottom feeders like Kansas City and Oakland can beat decent competitors who don't come to play. Lord knows we've seen it before.

Kids, don't drink the Mike Brown Kool-Aid.

"Why? Because the Bengals only play well when they don't get any respect. As soon as people start telling them how good they are, they start playing down to the level of crappier teams. "

Point taken BA but come on, whats the sample size of your statistical analysis, 1?

True, I suppose the only example I can think of was the end of the 2005 season when they tanked the last 3 or 4 games and slunk into the playoffs with their tails between their legs.

Kids, don't drink the Mike Brown Kool-Aid.

I'm sticking with my original 8-8, anything more will be gravy

------------------------------------------
In Memory of Darren

Low expectations, Storm...This way, you can't get hurt! LOL

"Falc, just because I respond, please dont take it to mean that I give a sh!t about you. I respond because you are the type of person that needs to be told what a whack job you are or else you will go on thinking your behavior is normal and accepted. "