MNF: Bengals/Colts

[max venable]

Might as well get this thread started.

Huge game tomorrow...might as well be a playoff game for the Bengals. Although Jax losing today helps.

Here are some thoughts/questions.

• The Steelers have awoken. I dread playing them in two weeks. Let's win the next two so that one's not as important.
• Everybody and their brother is picking the Bengals to beat the Colts. And with the media abuse the Colts have been taking, they're going to be trying to prove something tomorrow...in their house.
• Does it help, maybe, that the Cotls have already clinched a playoff spot? I don't think so...see above.
• As a Bengals fan, I'm actually pleased to be 8-5 right now...especially with their brutal schedule. They've lost to some teams they clearly should have beaten and they've won some games I didn't expect to win.

Predicitons for tomorrow's MNF game?

I'll take the Bengals (because I'm a homer)...in a shootout...kinda like, you know, the last team with the ball is gonna win...

[StillFunkyB]

I look forward to the Steeler game. Payback is a (insert your choice of words).

[savafan]

I look forward to the Steeler game. Payback is a (insert your choice of words).

Oreo!

[Caveat Emperor]

• Everybody and their brother is picking the Bengals to beat the Colts. And with the media abuse the Colts have been taking, they're going to be trying to prove something tomorrow...in their house.

One of the most annoying trends in the national sports media, especially the four-letter network, is the constant "what have you done for me 10 seconds ago" coverage the NFL gets these days.

Nobody has "good games" and "bad games" -- instead, they become Super Bowl presumptive favorites after 1 big game, then go back to being chumps who will never win another game after 1 bad loss.

It's like the entire league is being covered by a bunch of people with ADHD and bipolar disorder.

[savafan]

It's like the entire league is being covered by a bunch of people with ADHD and bipolar disorder.

Well, have you ever actually listened to Chris Berman?

[WMR]

One of the most annoying trends in the national sports media, especially the four-letter network, is the constant "what have you done for me 10 seconds ago" coverage the NFL gets these days.

Nobody has "good games" and "bad games" -- instead, they become Super Bowl presumptive favorites after 1 big game, then go back to being chumps who will never win another game after 1 bad loss.

It's like the entire league is being covered by a bunch of people with ADHD and bipolar disorder.

Or a bunch of former jocks who, alot of times, don't appear all that intelligent. But they DID play the game...

[DoogMinAmo]

Or a bunch of former jocks who, alot of times, don't appear all that intelligent. But they DID play the game...

Tracy Jones would be a great football analyst.

EDIT: My pick is 27-17 cincy

[macro]

One of the most annoying trends in the national sports media, especially the four-letter network, is the constant "what have you done for me 10 seconds ago" coverage the NFL gets these days.

Nobody has "good games" and "bad games" -- instead, they become Super Bowl presumptive favorites after 1 big game, then go back to being chumps who will never win another game after 1 bad loss.

It's like the entire league is being covered by a bunch of people with ADHD and bipolar disorder.

My thoughts exactly! They've been blowing hard for the Bengals lately and since last Sunday' they've been talking about what a shambles the Colts are. I'll be shocked if the Bengals win this game. Not because the Colts are so much better, but because of the law of averages. Cincinnati is due a letdown game after playing on a high for several weeks in a row, and the Colts are due a bounceback after starting 10-1 and then losing three straight.

Next week's game at Denver will be tough, as well. I mentioned this last week, but the Bengals will be attempting to hand the Broncos their fourth straight home loss. And now Pittsburgh appears to have its act together, so they'll be a handful in the final game.

The Bengals have to win two of the final three to have a shot at making the playoffs, and I just don't see it happening. The schedule-makers apparently had a bone to pick with them this season. Then again, they can only blame themselves for losing to a Tampa Bay team that may very well end up the season 3-13.

[Cedric]

My thoughts exactly! They've been blowing hard for the Bengals lately and since last Sunday' they've been talking about what a shambles the Colts are. I'll be shocked if the Bengals win this game. Not because the Colts are so much better, but because of the law of averages. Cincinnati is due a letdown game after playing on a high for several weeks in a row, and the Colts are due a bounceback after starting 10-1 and then losing three straight.

Next week's game at Denver will be tough, as well. I mentioned this last week, but the Bengals will be attempting to hand the Broncos their fourth straight home loss. And now Pittsburgh appears to have its act together, so they'll be a handful in the final game.

The Bengals have to win two of the final three to have a shot at making the playoffs, and I just don't see it happening. The schedule-makers apparently had a bone to pick with them this season. Then again, they can only blame themselves for losing to a Tampa Bay team that may very well end up the season 3-13.

Talking to Bengal fans about the law of averages is just ironic. I swear to god I used the law of averages as justification before every season as to why I'm still a Bengal fan. Every year HAD to be the year.

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Talking to Bengal fans about the law of averages is just ironic. I swear to god I used the law of averages as justification before every season as to why I'm still a Bengal fan. Every year HAD to be the year.

Yep, I think I did that too, to some extent. We weren't the only ones. Mike Brown gave all indications that he believed it, as well. Before he gave up sole control of the team, he used to talk about how things in the league are cyclical and how it was the Bengals turn, etc. Bidwell in Arizona and the guys who own/run the Lions are further evidence that there's not necessarily a "turn" for every franchise. And it's funny how some franchises seem to have more than their fair share of "turns" to be great.

That being said, I still believe in cycles and the law of averages when it comes to individual seasons, provided the team is good, like the Colts. Now, a 3-13 team is a 3-13 team, and no law of anything can help them avoid losing nine straight. But teams like the Colts and the Broncos are just too good to keep on losing. By the same token, I don't have faith that the Bengals are good enough to keep on winning. This team has proven that it's streaky. I fear another streak, of the wrong kind.

[Falls City Beer]

Winning on the road in the NFL is still very, very tough. Forget about records, forget about momentum. The Bengals are going to have to play like there's no tomorrow up there.

[redsfanmia]

The Colts have not lost 3 straight games for a long time and I just dont see them losing against the Bengals on MNF where they havent lost for a long time. The Colts have been getting drilled not only nationally but also locally so I see them sucking it up and getting it done against the Bengals 38 to 27.

[remdog]

A few weeks ago I wasn't too worried about this game. I figured the Colts would be, maybe, 12-1 or 11-2, may have already clinched homefield advantage and the Bengals would still be motivated. I think the Bengals are still motivated but the Colts have been embarassed nationally with their performance and the pounding they've taken in the media. I think they'll be pumped and the home crowd will be out for blood.

The Broncos are about to go to 8-6, the Jags dropped to 8-6 today and the Steelers, Jets and Titans are all 7-7. The Bengals really need to win this to keep some seperation between themselves and everyone else. I'm past trying to figure out tie-breakers, the only thing I'm comfortable with is the Bengals winning the last three games.

I think this will be a tough hard-fought game and it may not turn out to be the shoot-out everyone expects. Maybe something like 20-17 for the winner.

Rem

[Jpup]

I really, really, really need the Bengals to lose. I know the Titans have very slim chance to make the playoffs, even if they go 9-7, but I would like to keep the dream alive.

I hate the Colts, but they have to win.

[Razor Shines]

I really, really, really need the Bengals to lose. I know the Titans have very slim chance to make the playoffs, even if they go 9-7, but I would like to keep the dream alive.

I hate the Colts, but they have to win.

I'm afraid the height of the Titans' season was beating the Colts.

As for the game: I thought for sure it was not going to matter to either team, the way the year started. I cannot believe I didn't try to buy those tickets from GriffeyFan, I hate myself. If it's a shootout the Colts win pretty easy I think, but if the Bengals slow it down, run the ball and keep the Colts D on the field I think they will win by 7-10 points but dominate the game. Peyton doesn't seem to do well when he has to sit for long periods of time.