10 Sun November 15 @ Pittsburgh Steelers ---Without Henry, this game just got harder
11 Sun November 22 @ Oakland Raiders--should be an easy win
12 Sun November 29 Cleveland Browns ---should be an easy win
13 Sun December 6 Detroit Lions ---should be an easy win
14 Sun December 13 @ Minnesota Vikings---Tough game
15 Sun December 20 @ San Diego Chargers ---tough game but very winnable
16 Sun December 27 Kansas City Chiefs ----should be an easy win
17 Sun January 3 @ New York Jets ---tough game, should win it, but tough game

This is going to be a very interesting!

Let's have a look, shall we?:

>>>Nov.15 @ Pittsburgh ---Without Henry, this game just got harder

Agreed. For whatever reason, Henry in the lineup scares the Steelers. But that being said, the Bengals don't often take advantage of it. I see a loss here, but this is going to be a great character test. The Bengals didn't have to face Troy last time. That alters the equation radically. Aside from the repugnance of every time the Steelers win, there's no shame in losing the game.

But if the Bengals win...wow, that's a statement.

>>>11 Nov. 22 @ Oakland--should be an easy win
>>>12 Nov. 29 Cleveland ---should be an easy win
>>>13 Dec. 6 Detroit---should be an easy win

Here's the twofold problem I see here: 1) this is too many "easy" games in a row combined with 2) the tendency for the Bengals to "play down" to their competition. Believe it or not, I see a loss in there somewhere. Seems unfathomable but Detroit gave Pittsburgh a run and Oakland beat Philly, these things are possible. I just can't see them losing to Cleveland, though, because it's an in-division game with a team they didn't handle like they should have last time. That'll give them all the motivation they need.

>>>14 Dec. 13 @ Minnesota---Tough game

Can't see them winning this one because Minny's defense is very tough when they concentrate and aren't having 2nd half lapses. Might be closer than some think. The Bengals "opportunistic if not tough" defense might not be Favre's cup of tea.

>>>15 Dec. 20 @ San Diego---tough game but very winnable

I'd have rather played San Diego in September than December. They haven't lost a December game since 2005. That + San Diego at home = a Chargers win.

>>>16 Dec. 27 Kansas City----should be an easy win

Assuming that there's a playoff chase going on, I think they'll avoid "playing down" and take this one.

>>>17 Sun Jan. 3 @ New York---tough game, should win it

Obviously, the game furthest down the line is the toughest to project but I have a good feeling about this game for whatever reason. Maybe I just like the Bengals' cornerbacks against Sanchez.

I see a) 4-4 in the second half, b) a 10-6 overall record, c) a 5-1 division record (), d) 7-5 in conference. This year, that might be enough to make the playoffs esp. if it comes down to a tie with Baltimore .

10 Sun November 15 @ Pittsburgh Steelers --- This isnt the Steelers of last year or 2005. Having said that, we have to get Big Jen off the field on third down. In all honesty, this should be a prime time game.

11 Sun November 22 @ Oakland Raiders-- Jesus, this team is horrible. I cant imagine us winning by less than 14.

12 Sun November 29 Cleveland Browns --- The Clown are imploding. They scared us once, not again.

13 Sun December 6 Detroit Lions --- Call me crazy, but this one concerns me. If Calvin Johnson is back, they could scare the hell out of us. Their D has played well at times. We should win this one tho...

14 Sun December 13 @ Minnesota Vikings---Very tough game, but they are beatable.

15 Sun December 20 @ San Diego Chargers --- This game depends on where the Chargers are for the playoffs. If they are still in the hunt, it becomes very interesting. We can stop Vinvent Jackson. I dont know if they can stop Cedrick Benson. I will be at this game.

16 Sun December 27 Kansas City Chiefs ---- This should be an easy win. Agreed.

17 Sun January 3 @ New York Jets --- Most overrated team in the NFL in the first quarter of the season. Their true colors (with the help of injuries) have come out. Its a win. I cannot see us losing here unless playoff spot is wrapped up and we sit the starters.

Nobody left on the schedule looks like a guaranteed loss to me. Since that's the case, I'll say that the Bengals go 6-2 in the second half, as they did in the first. We've only played one truly awful team to this point: Cleveland. Everyone else was a playoff contender coming into the season.

I say we lose to Minnesota and New York to finish 12-4, win the division, and that we end up as the #2 seed.