Do the Bengals have a shot at the playoffs?

[WebScorpion]

I think their shot just got MUCH better.

If you'll recall, the last time we won the division we met the Steelers in the first round of the playoffs and they showed us why Kitna was a bad backup QB. :thumbdown

If this team can maintain their focus and work on small improvements every week, they have a very real chance at winning the Super Bowl. Cedric Benson's injury may be a good thing if it gives him a couple weeks of rest and allows Scott (and the rest of the RBs) to get some reps under their belt. They'll get better and he will be rested for the playoff run...all good.

One game at a time.

[Yachtzee]

If I could make one request, I would ask that the Bengals refrain from making any goofy music videos until after they make their playoff run. I seem to remember Bootsy Collins making a video with some of the Bengals' players in their 11-5 season that seemed a bit premature last time.

[yab1112]

Originally Posted by Yachtzee

I seem to remember Bootsy Collins making a video with some of the Bengals' players in their 11-5 season that seemed a bit premature last time.

[DTCromer]

Originally Posted by DTCromer

If you're a Bengals fan, I'd be more worried about playing the following week in Oakland than this Sunday's game vs Pittsburgh.

[HeatherC1212]

Bengals beat the Browns this afternoon and go 6-0 in their division for the first time in franchise history. That sounds pretty darn awesome but they need to finish the job for the rest of the season against everyone else too.

BTW-Anyone else feel like this Bengals team plays to their opponent's level? When they play 'bad' teams, they don't play as well and either barely win or don't win, but when they play 'good' teams, they pretty much beat the snot out of them. This has been SUCH a weird NFL year, LOL

[traderumor]

It's official. The Bengals coaching staff has been attending Jim Tressel's coaching class. They have undoubtedly bought into that overall philosophy for this season.

[Redhook]

Super Bowl bound the Bengals are!

[sonny]

Originally Posted by Redhook

Super Bowl bound the Bengals are!

Yoda?

[Tony Cloninger]

I could see them go 2 ways.... lose at MINN, SD and NYJ and go 10-6 and end up barely making the WC beacuse PITT goes 5-0 (DO NOT count that out with Ben and Troy getting healthy)...or beat NYJ and either MINN or SD...and get a first round bye.

This passing offense is not good at all...even with a good running game....which is really disturbing.

[KoryMac5]

The passing offense can be fixed with a few tweaks of the O line and playbook. On the O line side of things Mathis should be coming back in a week or two which will help. The line just hasn't been the same since he went down. Also I would expect Andre Smith to take over in a week or two from Roland who has been manhandled the last few weeks. As far as the playbook goes we don't need a 50/50 run/pass split but how about some play action ever so often to open things up and keep defenses honest.

The biggest question that we need to ask ourselves as Bengals fans is this: Does Marvin want to fix the offense?

My answer would be no, he is an old school grind it out coach who feels that you win football games in December by running the ball and playing good defense. I think he is enjoying the run first offense.

[traderumor]

Originally Posted by KoryMac5

As far as the playbook goes we don't need a 50/50 run/pass split but how about some play action ever so often to open things up and keep defenses honest.

I was screaming for play action yesterday. I recall once, and that came inside the 10. The only reason I have for not, since it is seemingly a no-brainer with a strong run game, is that it is hard to sell with Palmer handing off with the opposite hand these days.

[bucksfan2]

Originally Posted by traderumor

I was screaming for play action yesterday. I recall once, and that came inside the 10. The only reason I have for not, since it is seemingly a no-brainer with a strong run game, is that it is hard to sell with Palmer handing off with the opposite hand these days.

I was wondering the same thing too. If Palmer's bum hand makes play action harder. I am also trying to remember if the Palmer has ever really used play action.

[traderumor]

Originally Posted by bucksfan2

I was wondering the same thing too. If Palmer's bum hand makes play action harder. I am also trying to remember if the Palmer has ever really used play action.

I think they used it quite a bit in Rudy's heyday. It seems silly not to use it now unless there is a practical reason for not doing so. Strategy wise, it makes perfect sense. Strong running game makes the D susceptible to play action, esp. as they start to cheat the back 7 toward the line more and more.

Another recent trend that I think needs to change is the depth of the routes. They are running almost everything in the short passing zones, and very little designed flat passing, and yesterday they did not go for the homerun once. They had one apparent designed underneath throw to Coles, which he busted for a big gain. More of that and the good old standby slants would seem to be a good plan to make the run nearly unstoppable. Make the linebackers stay in the flats instead of blitzing or cheating on the run and you could run at will even moreso than they are now.

[Playadlc]

Originally Posted by KoryMac5

The passing offense can be fixed with a few tweaks of the O line and playbook. On the O line side of things Mathis should be coming back in a week or two which will help. The line just hasn't been the same since he went down. Also I would expect Andre Smith to take over in a week or two from Roland who has been manhandled the last few weeks. As far as the playbook goes we don't need a 50/50 run/pass split but how about some play action ever so often to open things up and keep defenses honest.

The biggest question that we need to ask ourselves as Bengals fans is this: Does Marvin want to fix the offense?

My answer would be no, he is an old school grind it out coach who feels that you win football games in December by running the ball and playing good defense. I think he is enjoying the run first offense.

Agree completely with this. Mathis is having a pro-bowl type season at LG and we desperately need him on the field. Livings just doesn't get the job done, IMO.

[Hoosier Red]

Agree completely with this. Mathis is having a pro-bowl type season at LG and we desperately need him on the field. Livings just doesn't get the job done, IMO.

Raise your hand if you thought at the beginning of the season that the Bengals' post season success would hinge on Evan Mathis' health.