Bengals vs. Diseased Bird Flu Avians (Ravens) - Monday Night Football! 09/10/07 @ PBS

[WMR]

Bengals Been There Before
By: Geoff Hobson

The days have grown as short as the fuses.

There is one day left to the opener now and when the Bengals and Ravens tee it up in front of the nation Monday night it will be exactly 253 days since Santonio Holmes and the Steelers ran off with the Bengals' playoff berth.

"I know the guys that have been here with me and been here before me are getting sick of the trend," said defensive lineman Bryan Robinson. "Fed up and tired of that trend; not winning the games that count."

That's how long it seems when you lose those last three. But remember. The Bengals won a Very Big Boy Game not all that long ago.

In fact, it was the last time they played the Ravens at Paul Brown Stadium and it was by 13-7 last Nov. 30, and, yes, that was on national TV because it was beamed by NFL Network.

Which is a mere four games ago. That is like dog years in the feed-the-beast world of the NFL offseason.

"That was a pretty big win. Baltimore had the second best record in football last year," said wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

But the Bengals know those victories over winning teams were few and far between last year. They were only 3-6 against them.

"It's not about the defense playing well, or our offense vs. their defense," said defensive tackle John Thornton. "It's not time for one group to shine. It's time for this team to really grow up, and play well on a big stage."

So when even head coach Marvin Lewis says this is a big game instead of the standard issue "They're all big," you know it's big.

"Yes, it's important that out best players play well in big games and this is a big game," said Lewis with a smile, so ready to agree because he has been pounding this theme since Holmes celebrated in the PBS end zone in overtime.

And that's why it may seem so long ago. During this offseason, Lewis jumped on some pretty big names about performing in the clutch this offseason (read Chad Johnson) and this may be why Lewis believes, "I think we're poised to do so. I think our guys are excited and anxious to play."

And Lewis should know. The Bengals haven't lost a game in September since, well, Sept. 26, 2004, when the Ravens beat them at PBS, 23-9, in Palmer's third NFL start.

Certainly Johnson is ready. He's been grousing and praising the criticism all at the same time since training camp started, saying he can't wait to prove the critics in his own nest wrong.

Certainly they seem anxious to blow away some of the national perceptions, which has some of it right about the defense. But not all. Last year this defense gave up exactly nine touchdowns in six division games and just two in two games to this Ravens team that won the AFC North at 13-3.

But Peyton Manning lit up the Bengals defense for all to see on a Monday night and two weeks later Holmes walked through it in overtime and now the defense is back to where it always is.

Under siege. Beleaguered. Not as bad as people think and trying to prove they're good enough so their team can win some big games.

"We had a hand in some wins last year," said defensive end Justin Smith, and certainly at least half the wins (Kansas City, Carolina, New Orleans, Baltimore) can be directly attributed to the defense.

"It's like in '05,' Thornton said. "We had a good year. We went 11-5. But we lost to Indy (on Sunday night) and in the playoffs, the games that everybody watches, and that's how people remember you.

"Yeah, it's a national game. We've got to win it. But when you say 'Beat an elite team,' I consider Baltimore in our class. We're in the same class. They haven't won a Super Bowl in awhile."

Yet you can still sense a bad taste in the mouth from wins against good teams that got away last season. The Falcons were 4-2 when the Bengals lost by two. The Ravens were 5-2 when the Bengals gave Baltimore 14 points in the game's first four minutes of a 26-20 loss. The Chargers were 6-2 when the Bengals blew the 28-7 halftime lead, and the Broncos were 8-6 at home when Cincinnati outgained Denver by 56 yards and lost by one.

"That's it," Houshmandzadeh said. "It's those games that you think might not be that important that you don't get and when you get to the end of the year you wish you had them."

Thornton's fellow captain, Carson Palmer believes his team has crossed the threshold.

"A mature player comes into the game plan knowing the game plan and how he needs to execute his job," he said. "A lot of times, young guys aren't quite sure on some plays, you're not quite sure about the 2-4 defense, the 4-3, the nickel 3-3 that they sub to. I think we have guys that have played against these guys and have the experience from year after year after year, and we're just more mature. Just a year more mature than last year."

Big stage? Remember how this offense stunned a very good Denver defense, 23-10, in the first Monday night game in Cincinnati 15 years back in 2004? Palmer was the quarterback. Johnson was the wide receiver who rocked Pro Bowl cornerback Champ Bailey on his heels.

But that was three years ago.

Dog years in the NFL.

"We've been here before," Thornton said. "We've had a lot of success early in the season the past couple of years, which is good. We don't have to prove anything to anybody. We've got to play for ourselves and make sure this team comes out of this with a win. If we play great defense and lose, that's not going to mean anything."

http://www.bengals.com/news/news.asp?story_id=6262

[WMR]

This could potentially be such a HUGE "statement game" for both our offense AND our defense.

::fingers crossed::

P.S. What about the Browns today?? :eek: How are our resident Browns fans dealing with today's "performance?" Do you want the coach fired? Brady starting? Players benched? All of the above??

[GoReds33]

If anybody heard Chad during the UC game, he said that if we win this game we win the division. I sure hope he is right.

[Reds Freak]

The thing that worries me most about this game is the state of the offensive line. The Bengals have been pretty successful against the Ravens in the past IMO because the offensive line has been able to handle their pass rush and blitzes. I guess Willie and Levi are both ready to go but who knows how effective they will be. The Bengals have a new starter in Stacy Andrews at guard and it looks like they will be without starting center Eric Ghicauc. If this unit can gel quick tomorrow, I think the Bengals win. But if Willie or Levi can't go and/or Stepanovich can't handle the pressure, I fear for Carson's health...

[Yachtzee]

This could potentially be such a HUGE "statement game" for both our offense AND our defense.

::fingers crossed::

P.S. What about the Browns today?? :eek: How are our resident Browns fans dealing with today's "performance?" Do you want the coach fired? Brady starting? Players benched? All of the above??

I'm nervous about tomorrow night's game. I have no idea what to expect. I just hope they show up strong and win on national TV. They seem to do well on the national stage the past two years. I just hope they keep it up.

If I were a Browns fan, I would definitely want Brady Quinn on the bench right now. They have a lot of new pieces-parts on the OL and it's going to take some time for them to gel into a cohesive unit. It looked like they were getting shoved around pretty good by the Pittsburgh DL. If they do indeed bring in Brady Quinn this season, I'd wait until the halfway mark in the season, when the OL has more experience working together, and pick a low pressure match-up against a non-division rival.

[Degenerate39]

I'm excited for this game Bengals football is finally here.

[macro]

I know the Sunday night game is now considered the weekly "showcase" game, but for the Bengals to open up at home on MNF and have their first two home games on MNF is big. That's pretty good after going from 1992 to 2004 (I think that's correct) without having a MNF game.

As for tonight's game, I never thought the Ravens were as good as their record last year. They were one of the softest 4-0 teams in recent memory. Their record will drop off this year, and they'll finish second or maybe even third.

[bucksfan2]

Im not too worried about this team. I just dont see how the upgraded the team from last year to this year. Last year they had a good season but the bengals and their d made the Ravens look very average. McGahee was supposed to be the difference maker but he isn't they back that he was his last year at Miami. McNair is old as is Mason. Lewis is good but isn't the player he was a few years ago. I take the bengals wr's over the ravens db's any day of the week. I don't see the Ravens defense frustrating Palmer and shutting them down. I also don't see McNair beating the team. I will take my chances when any team's top offensive weapon is a TE not named Gates.

[wheels]

My prediction:

Bengals 16

Ravens 13

An ugly game with turnovers and special teams being the difference.

[Joseph]

Bengals 38, Ravens 35 in a slugfest.

Yes I know the Bengals have no D and the Ravens have great D, but this matchup will take on a life not like the teams usual MO.

[Caveat Emperor]

Open week, reasonably nice weather -- neither plays to the strength of the Ravens offesnse, which will be to pound, pound, pound, and pound.

My prediction:

Bengals 27
Ravens 17

Not that I'm happy about this. If I had my way, I'd want everyone in town to be as miserable as I was after watching the Bucs have their lattes handed to them by Seattle.

[jmcclain19]

Go Ravens

[Degenerate39]

My prediction
Bengals- 31
Ravens- 28

[wheels]

You guys really think it's gonna be high scoring game?

I know it sounds strange, but I think the Bengals will be pretty good at stopping the run this season, the Ravens have never had any threats at WR, and their offensive line is banged up.

The Bengals will get one or two big plays, but I don't think they'll be able to run consistanly.

I just can't see anything but a defensive/special teams battle.

[RedsManRick]

Because I'm usually wrong:

Ravens 24, Bengals 17

Palmer isn't going to have enough time to get anything deep and Rudi is gonna constantly face 8 in the box. Lots of blitzes will mean the passing game will need to consist of quick slants and screens if it's going to be successful. Bengals D is really the X factor in my mind. If they can stop the big play and give the offense decent field position, it should be a good game.

[Degenerate39]

Nice job by the Bengals' Defense so far

[Degenerate39]

Nice job by the Bengals' Defense so far

Continues to impress with a nice fumble recovery

[Degenerate39]

Bad kick by Graham

[Degenerate39]

Another fumble recovery!

[Degenerate39]

Chad Johnson!!!!

:jump:

Here's lookin to you Matt :D

[WMR]

ANOTHER FUMBLE!!!!~!~!!~!~!!

Who DEY

WHO DEY

WHODEY

[Degenerate39]

3 fricken fumbles by the Ravens in the first quarter so far

[vaticanplum]

I freaking love Chad Johnson. Not because of his antics -- I just love to watch him run. But his antics are fun too.

[MrCinatit]

Wow - presently, the Ravens are as painful as the Browns.

Problem is - three turn overs...can the Bengals capitalize off the mistakes?

[WMR]

HORSE COLLAR ON THE MURDER DEFENDANT

Nice.

[Degenerate39]

This is not what I was expecting

[WMR]

Carson is back on track.

Offense is ROLLING.

[WMR]

It really sucks that Graham is gone. That could determine this game.

[WMR]

Can Graham kick?

[WMR]

C'mon SHANE

[WMR]

WHOO That was CLOSE

[Degenerate39]

It really sucks that Graham is gone. That could determine this game.

I'm surprised he just made that kick

9-0 Cincy

[Degenerate39]

I can't believe this first quarter.

[WMR]

I can't believe this first quarter.

Would have liked two TDs from our offense, but you couldn't script it much better for our defense.

[cincinnati chili]

I'm in class and am following on GameCast. Can anyone tell me the basics of the 3 fumbles? Who/what, etc. I'm confused about what happened after the 53 yard missed FG.

[Degenerate39]

How many penalties have the Ravens had this quarter

[Degenerate39]

I'm in class and am following on GameCast. Can anyone tell me the basics of the 3 fumbles? Who/what, etc. I'm confused about what happened after the 53 yard missed FG.

McNair ran up the middle then fumbled and Landon Johnson recovered

McNair was sacked by Brooks and then fumbled again

McNair passed to McClain I think and then he fumbled

[Degenerate39]

Crap Smith gets a TD

9-7 Bengals

[WMR]

Go Chad Go!!!

Wow Chad has been ON POINT this game so far.

[WMR]

Dexter Jackson LAYING THE LUMBER

CHOP THAT WOOD BOY

[WMR]

Nice play Ravens!! Tack on 15 yards to that punt return.

:clap: :clap: :clap:

[GAC]

If I were a Browns fan, I would definitely want Brady Quinn on the bench right now. They have a lot of new pieces-parts on the OL and it's going to take some time for them to gel into a cohesive unit. It looked like they were getting shoved around pretty good by the Pittsburgh DL. If they do indeed bring in Brady Quinn this season, I'd wait until the halfway mark in the season, when the OL has more experience working together, and pick a low pressure match-up against a non-division rival.

I agree to a point. But I think that game should end the Charlie Frye experiment. Simply an embarassing display at home. I'm no Anderson fan either, but he did a better job then Charlie. If the Browns want to even try to salvage ANYTHING from this season then they probably need to get Quinn in sooner than later. And if things get really bad (and I'm not gonna make a judgment after only one game, as bad as it was), I wouldn't be surprised, with his job possibly on the line, if Romeo doesn't put him in.

The Browns offense made many mistakes that contributed to the loss. Our defense was playing against the Steelers and our own offense. :lol:

The offense turned the ball over five times, they had six penalties for 51 yards. The offense was consistently putting our defense in bad spots (short field). The Steelers started in Browns’ territory four times in the first half and scored 17 points as a result of that good field position. Our defense got burned on the Holmes TD pass in the first half; but overall, I thought our defense did a good job and could have went into the half down 7-0 if not for this offense. Like with any defense that is on the field so much though, they simply were wore out in the second half.

But there were some positives in that game. Not many; but some.

But I address my affiliation with the Browns just like I do with what I have with the Reds..... I'm loyal.

[GAC]

9-7 Bengals with 3 minutes left till the half.

[Degenerate39]

Is that Ryan Parker?

[RedsManRick]

Is that Ryan Parker?

Was thinking the same thing. I bet it is. Good job Ryan! :beerme:

[HumnHilghtFreel]

Is that Ryan Parker?

I just came to the computer to post that. I'm pretty sure it was, because I watched some of his youtube stuff recently.

Pretty cool, Ryan!

[TeamBoone]

I just said the same thing to Team Morris. That's "our" Ryan!

[GAC]

12-10 Bengals at half.

Looking at the 3 turnovers and poor play of the Ravens, Baltimore has to feel better about themselves only being down by 2 at the half.

[Degenerate39]

Someone on Bengalszone.com said it was in fact the Ryan Parker. Congrats Ryan

[WMR]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Degenerate39]

Landon Johnson

:jump:

[WMR]

That was a dumb challenge by Marvin. Pretty clear it was a fumble.

[MWM]

That was a dumb challenge by Marvin. Pretty clear it was a fumble.

That's something Marin has always done poorly. He's made some bad challenges over the years.

[BoydsOfSummer]

You should watch Romeo Crennel. I don't believe he's ever won a challenge.

[MWM]

Horrible special teams play tonight.

The Bengals O looks like they're just trying to run the clock down. The 4th quarter just started. They still have to play.

[RedFanAlways1966]

Bad enough you have to worry about this Bengals defense, but these return coverage teams (kickoff & punts) are BAD.

[Joseph]

Palmer is high with so much tonight.

[MWM]

Bengals are being seriously outcoached in the second half.

[WMR]

Robert Geathers I LOVE YOU

[smith288]

I dont understand this dink and doink offense all of a sudden. Its embarassing to watch.

[WMR]

I REALLY think this will hold up to a challenge.

There does not appear to be "indisputable evidence" to overturn that interception.

[smith288]

Its a shame that our defense is outplaying our offense.

[joshnky]

Is good as Baltimore is on defense, their offense is abominable. I'd look hard at Leftwich if I were them.

[WMR]

YES

Ruling on the field stands. :clap:

[WMR]

Baltimore only has 1 timeout remaining.

[remdog]

YES!!!

Rem

[WMR]

Rooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooodi

[RedFanAlways1966]

RU-DI! Nice carry to make it 1st-and-goal.

[WMR]

TD TJ HoushyoDADDyyyyyyyyyyyyy

[remdog]

Time for the Bengals to sack up and get it done.

Rem

[WMR]

WHAT A BLOCK BY CHAD JOHNSON a.k.a. mr. ocho cinco

[RedFanAlways1966]

Gotta go for 2-points here?!? And they are.

[RedFanAlways1966]

Yes! RU-DI scores on a run for the 2-pt. conversion.

[remdog]

Nice call Bengals. Now ya' need to go out and put the Ravens (those franchise stealing dirtbags) in the dirt.

Rem

[MWM]

Mike Tirico just said, "Do you know who the biggest Johnson is?"

[WMR]

Mike Tirico just said, "Do you know who the biggest Johnson is?"

Tony Kornheiser??

[RedFanAlways1966]

Good Lord... Rudi with a big fumble recovered by Ed Reed.

[joshnky]

I hate Ed Reed.

Also, I had a bad feeling about Rudi after last season and this game has done nothing to change that. I know the Raven's are tough on defense but the Bengals need more from him than he has provided tonight.

[smith288]

We need a HUGE stand here.

[smith288]

It would help if Rudi had some help from the line. The only real long run he got suprised him so much he forgot to hold onto the football.

[joshnky]

I'm afraid that even if we stop them here the Raven's defense will find a way to score.

[WMR]

HAHAHAHH

Pass Interference

C'MON BOYS

[cincy jacket]

WOW!!!

[WMR]

I'm afraid that even if we stop them here the Raven's defense will find a way to score.

They only have 1 TO remaining. We can kill the clock with knees.

[cincy jacket]

DOUBLE WOW!!!

[WMR]

Defensive HOLDING?!?!?! You have got to be kidding me!!! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[Tom Servo]

This game is crazy.

[joshnky]

They only have 1 TO remaining. We can kill the clock with knees.

When I said that they were on the one yard line. Not much room to take a knee.

[smith288]

Make up call.

[cincy jacket]

If Todd Heap catches a TD here i not only pretty much guarantee an OT loss for us but maybe worse i lose fantasy week 1

[smith288]

Need a turnover

[Roy Tucker]

Make up call.

Yup. First call was bad, second call was marginal.

[WMR]

YESyesyesyesyesyesyesyesyes!!!!

WHO DEY

WHO DEY

WHO DEY

[cincy jacket]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Tom Servo]

The Shape with the INT!

[MrCinatit]

You have got to be freaking kidding me - if the play holds up, what an ending.

[smith288]

I just laughed like a little school girl. YAY!

[WMR]

The Masked KILLER

[joshnky]

I'd forgotten how much I like Kyle Boller.

[cincy jacket]

That INT just healed Marvin

[MWM]

Bengals got REAL lucky. That PI call against Heap was terrible.

[Roy Tucker]

That's an INT. Good throw Boller, bad catch Heap.

[WMR]

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/40828000/jpg/_40828705_marvin203.jpg

[smith288]

Bengals got REAL lucky. That PI call against Heap was terrible.
yep. I agree that was cheap but as a die hard Bengals fan, I will take it. They got 4+ more more opps and screwed it so c' est la vie.

[KittyDuran]

Bengals got REAL lucky. That PI call against Heap was terrible.A Win is a Win, is a Win, etc...:thumbup:

[Degenerate39]

What a game

[harangatang]

yep. I agree that was cheap but as a die hard Bengals fan, I will take it.Ever see the Bengals on the other side of a bad call? I will gladly take that as well.

[paintmered]

I didn't see any pass interference from Heap either. Sometimes you win. Sometimes you lose. Sometimes the refs make a bad call and then another bad call to make up for the first bad call and a retread linebacker makes an all-world interception to win the game. Crazy game, this football.

I'm not happy with how they won it, but I'll gladly take the Bengals win. Who Dey!

[Yachtzee]

Bengals got REAL lucky. That PI call against Heap was terrible.

It's Karma. The Bengals were on the wrong end of bad calls like that back in their 15-year dark period many times.

Very happy the Bengals pulled it out.

[OSUredsFAN]

It's Karma. The Bengals were on the wrong end of bad calls like that back in their 15-year dark period many times.

Very happy the Bengals pulled it out.

I agree with you on that. WHO DEY!!!

[guttle11]

Remember that roughing the passer call on Justin Smith last year in Tampa?

[WMR]

Remember that roughing the passer call on Justin Smith last year in Tampa?

Are you trying to give me nightmares?!?! :laugh:

[macro]

My prediction:

Bengals 27
Ravens 17


Nice job with the score prediction, Caveat. :thumbup:

Now, be honest with us. Did your crystal ball have the Bengals scoring their 27 points as 6-3-3-7-8?

:cool:

[max venable]

Remember that roughing the passer call on Justin Smith last year in Tampa?

That is a GREAT point. We totally got hosed on that one.

Maybe this is our year!

[redsfan4445]

i will say the defense really shocked me.. they came to play. they only let up on that TD right before the half.. and wow what a game!! bet the 2nd game tonight doesnt compare to the first one on Monday night...WOW

[Johnny Footstool]

The Bengals made a statement tonight. Even with their offense misfiring, they can still play tough. Personally, I think the way the defense played after the Ed Reed punt return was downright inspiring. For all intents and purposes, that TD should have crushed their spirit, and it would have last season. Maybe this year is different. Finally.

[Caveat Emperor]

Nice job with the score prediction, Caveat. :thumbup:

Now, be honest with us. Did your crystal ball have the Bengals scoring their 27 points as 6-3-3-7-8?

:cool:

I think I had a safety in there somewhere. :thumbup:

If you're a Bengals fan, you have to walk away happy that they picked up a huge win against a team that they'll probably be neck and neck with for the rest of the season.

Bengals played well with a team they're fairly evenly matched with. I think they were aided by some seriously questionable play calling by Brian Billick (who suffers from some complex that requires him to act like he's the smartest guy in the room) -- a simple handoff to McGahee on 3rd and 1 on the INT play or from the goal line at the end of the game and the outcome is quite different, I imagine.

The PI call on Heap was totally phantom, but as I always say: good teams don't let bad officiating beat them or put themselves in situations to let officiating beat them.

Good win for the Bengals. Now the big thing is not to crap the bed against a team they're better than at every imaginable position next week.

[George Foster]

That is a GREAT point. We totally got hosed on that one.

Maybe this is our year!

Even with the bad call, the Ravens got a holding call that gave them 1st down on the 5. Why they did not run the ball 4 times defies logic.....the Bengals were last or almost last in the league in run defense the last two years. Stupid play calling by the Ravens.

Palmer was not sharp at all, but we won....:thumbup:

[WMR]

Yeah Carson was uncharacteristically inaccurate. Really strange from him.

[Yachtzee]

I think I had a safety in there somewhere. :thumbup:

If you're a Bengals fan, you have to walk away happy that they picked up a huge win against a team that they'll probably be neck and neck with for the rest of the season.

Bengals played well with a team they're fairly evenly matched with. I think they were aided by some seriously questionable play calling by Brian Billick (who suffers from some complex that requires him to act like he's the smartest guy in the room) -- a simple handoff to McGahee on 3rd and 1 on the INT play or from the goal line at the end of the game and the outcome is quite different, I imagine.

The PI call on Heap was totally phantom, but as I always say: good teams don't let bad officiating beat them or put themselves in situations to let officiating beat them.

Good win for the Bengals. Now the big thing is not to crap the bed against a team they're better than at every imaginable position next week.

I thought for sure that the Bengals were toast. Once they got 1st and goal from the 5, why not just bust McGahee up the gut 3 times? It seemed like he was getting at least two yards when they did that. It's a good thing that Billick likes to get "cute."

[WMR]

I thought for sure that the Bengals were toast. Once they got 1st and goal from the 5, why not just bust McGahee up the gut 3 times? It seemed like he was getting at least two yards when they did that. It's a good thing that Billick likes to get "cute."

He's a great offensive coordinator, isn't he?

:D :D :D

[Dom Heffner]

Why they did not run the ball 4 times defies logic

Not enough time. An incomplete pass stops the clock.

[Caveat Emperor]

Not enough time. An incomplete pass stops the clock.

There was plenty of time.

They needed 5 yards, they had roughly 1:30-2:00 on the clock, and they could only assume (at that point) they were going to get 4 more snaps.

If anything, they needed to be concerned about the Bengals getting the ball back AFTER a score with too much time.

That they didn't score in that situation, as poor as the interior of the Bengals defense is in the red zone, baffles me.

[Dom Heffner]

Well, they did run once. They maybe could have run one more running play, but you never know how long it's going to take to unpile 15 people if they fall short, and with no timeouts, Billick probably would rather have the guaranteed 3 chances through the air than risk being stopped short of the goal and leave a down on the field.

After the running play, they were down to 1:25, which I agree, they could have ran at least once more and probably should have.

[Reds Fanatic]

I just got home from the game. What a great game. The crowd was just fantastic tonight. Up at all times and loud. Amazing that was an opening game because the atmosphere of the game felt like a playoff game tonight.

[uoduck1017]

Good win for the Bengals. Now the big thing is not to crap the bed against a team they're better than at every imaginable position next week.

Gotta love how the first two weeks play out. Get that tough game against the Ravens out of the way, then play the Browns. 2-0 would look nice heading up to the northwest to play the Seahawks.

[Reds Freak]

The Cincinnati Bengals opened the 1988 season at home against the Phoenix Cardinals. With time running out in the 4th quarter, the Cardinals had four plays from inside the 5 yard line to tie the game at 21. The Bengals defense held at the goal line and the Bengals went on to win 21-14.

The Cincinnati Bengals opened the 2007 season at home against the Baltimore Ravens. With time running out in the 4th quarter, the Ravens had six plays from inside the 10 yard line to tie the game at 27. The Bengals defense held at the goal line and the Bengals went on to win 27-20.

Anyone remember what that 1988 Bengals team did?

Haha, :) just some food for thought...

[TeamSelig]

WHO DEY!!!!

Haven't read through this thread, but anybody see that video of the guy and his daughter during halftime? Very cool.

[Matt700wlw]

Loving me some defense....a little swagger, some balls, some smack, some attitude.


Keep it up!

[remdog]

WHO DEY!!!!

Haven't read through this thread, but anybody see that video of the guy and his daughter during halftime? Very cool.

I saw it and I agree that it was terrific! That little girl was soooo cute and the fact that she belted out the tune (no tiny, timid voice there) with her dad was just great!

Anyone know if there's a copy on the internet somewhere? Youtube maybe?

Rem

[Matt700wlw]

The Cincinnati Bengals opened the 1988 season at home against the Phoenix Cardinals. With time running out in the 4th quarter, the Cardinals had four plays from inside the 5 yard line to tie the game at 21. The Bengals defense held at the goal line and the Bengals went on to win 21-14.

The Cincinnati Bengals opened the 2007 season at home against the Baltimore Ravens. With time running out in the 4th quarter, the Ravens had six plays from inside the 10 yard line to tie the game at 27. The Bengals defense held at the goal line and the Bengals went on to win 27-20.

Anyone remember what that 1988 Bengals team did?

Haha, :) just some food for thought...


If you could hear me...I'm booing you :)

[traderumor]

Yeah Carson was uncharacteristically inaccurate. Really strange from him.Early season. He struggled early last year, but then was on it after a few weeks.

The PI call, Heep very slightly pushed off to get the separation and make the catch, I've seen Chad Johnson called for more phantom "push offs" than that over the years. The subsequent defensive holding makeup call was more blatantly phantom, IMO.

Heep was unusually the goat last night, with the ball hitting off his pads for the final INT.

[TeamSelig]

Yeah, I'd also really like a video of that. Looked on youtube, but didn't see it. My wife had to work and missed it, and she would get a big kick out of that.


EDIT: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DTLvlpDMXyY

[Hoosier Red]

Early season. He struggled early last year, but then was on it after a few weeks.

The PI call, Heep very slightly pushed off to get the separation and make the catch, I've seen Chad Johnson called for more phantom "push offs" than that over the years. The subsequent defensive holding makeup call was more blatantly phantom, IMO.

Heep was unusually the goat last night, with the ball hitting off his pads for the final INT.

It was a nice sales job by Dexter too, from the refs vantage point, all he could see was Heap extending his arm and Dexter going down like he'd been shot.

[uoduck1017]

Early season. He struggled early last year, but then was on it after a few weeks.

The PI call, Heep very slightly pushed off to get the separation and make the catch, I've seen Chad Johnson called for more phantom "push offs" than that over the years. The subsequent defensive holding makeup call was more blatantly phantom, IMO.

Heep was unusually the goat last night, with the ball hitting off his pads for the final INT.

If anything, I would blame that last INT on Boller. He rifled it in there, and Heap really didn't have much time to react. The PI call on Heap should not have been called, but as they say, good teams don't put themselves in those situations. The Ravens had so many chances to tie that game, give credit to the Bengals D.

[remdog]

Thanks, TS. That really is a fun video.

Rem