Bengals not Super Bowl Contenders
If seeing is believing then the Cincinnati Bengals are 4-1. But, I still don’t believe it.
After losing a heartbreaking season opener at home against Denver, Cincinnati has responded with four straight victories. Three of those victories have come against AFC North rivals in dramatic fashion. As Cincinnati climbs up the power rankings and gains well-deserved national attention, I am still having trouble believing this Bengals team is here to stay.
While it is very easy to argue the Bengals could be 5-0, it is just as easy to say they could be 1-4. Last second victories against Pittsburgh, Cleveland and Baltimore could and probably should have gone the other way. However, the emotional win over the Ravens was certainly a wake up call for the rest of the league.
Maybe it’s the fact that I have seen this before and I don’t want to fall into the same trap again. Call me a pessimist, but if you spend your childhood rooting for a team that never fails to disappoint it’s hard to jump on the bandwagon so hastily.
I will say that this Bengals team is a little different from the Bengals of the past. This team has an identity. This team has a young and exciting defense that is in the top ten in the league.
The offense is what worries me. Is Carson Palmer really going to stay healthy and play 16 games? Also, the offensive line has played well at times this year. Can they maintain this high level of play for a full season? Can Cedric Benson continue his Pro Bowl caliber season for 16 games? Can somebody step up and be the number two receiver?
If yes is the answer to all these questions, then the Cincinnati Bengals will win the AFC North and be a playoff team. But, if the wheels start to unravel in the coming weeks, don’t be surprised. Don’t be shocked to see the Bengals fall flat on their face and finish the season just short of the playoffs. When this happens, just smile and know that they are still the same old Bengals.