Cincy...FINALLY a contender?

[Anthony K.]

After defeating the Steelers twice this year and looking strong on both sides of the ball (even with Odom out...and he was a beast before the injury), should they be considered a top team in the AFC?

Maybe, dare I say, the #2 in the AFC?

With NE looking defeatable (and not just by Indy), Pittsburgh hurtin', Denver crashing, San Diego looking a bit up and down.....not just record wise, but overall, are they a top 4 team in the NFL?

They do have the second best points allowed on the season and though they won't be breaking any scoring marks, they have been efficient enough to outscore their opponents.

muskiesfan (and all other Bengals fans) rejoice.

They are the Bungles no more

 

[mstng99tim]

There's still 1/2 season to play. So to answer your question....NO, they aren't a contender yet. And they still are and always will be the Bungles!!!!!!

 

[Anthony K.]

There's still 1/2 season to play. So to answer your question....NO, they aren't a contender yet. And they still are and always will be the Bungles!!!!!!

Last night still stings, eh?

They may have 1/2 the season left, but they look better than every team in the NFL not backed by a top QB (I can put NE over Cincy...for now).

 

[mstng99tim]

Nope, that loss doesn't bother me right now. The regular season means nothing to me, as long as the Steelers make the playoffs, whether it's as the division winner or a wild card. Look at the last time the Bengals made the playoffs, the Steelers were a wild card team and won Super Bowl XL.

 

[Piratesfan1418]

A contender for a title? Probably not. But they'll make the playoffs...

 

[Ryo1549]

Absolutely a contender. I would say right now at this point they are a top 5-6 team.

 

[gt2590]

Those LBs are great and their corners are better than I thought. And I think adding Larry Johnson would be a good move for them.

But, their lack of QB depth could be a big problem. JT O'Sullivan is not a playoff QB. Usually better teams have a back-up who could win a couple of games, if needed. I don't think he fits that bill.

 

[P_Manning 18]

One fluke play away from being 8-1.

 

[HoustonTeams4Me]

Absolutely a contender. I would say right now at this point they are a top 5-6 team.

Agreed!

 

[mstng99tim]

One fluke play away from being 8-1.

One Limas Sweed td drop away from being 6-3

 

[lumm0x]

You're winning and against quality competition. You should wind up with a playoff spot and anything can happen from there. A key goal would be to aspire for a bye and a home game which gives you a better opportunity for a shot at the AFC Championship game. You've proven you can hang with the best.

 

[muskiesfan]

Anthony- Great thread.

Everyone knows I am a huge Bengals fan. I try to be realistic and not be blinded by the Orange & Black. This team keeps impressing me. I truly think they might have what it takes to be contenders. The defense keeps getting better and better. I would like to see Carson and the passing game get it going better, but Benson has been awesome.

Now with Larry Johnson coming, I think that helps solidify the running game. He will be more productive than Bernard Scott. He'll do better than Brian Leonard in the running game too, but I think Leonard will still do better in the passing game. All of this in contigent upon Johnson not coming in and being a ******. If he accepts his role and works hard, the Bengals will be that much harder to stop.

 

[KandKCards]

They have 3 real games left, the rest are a joke. It will probably be a tie for the #2 seed between NE and Cincy, it will just come down to the tie break, I think.

 

[onionring9]

contender, absolutely! I wouldn't go so far to say they are #2 in the AFC though.

Based on the schedule they may finish up that way because cincy has a pretty easy schedule coming up with only a few tough matchups. NE has a semi-hard schedule coming up (much harder than cincy at least). But if the two met right now I wouldn't hesitate taking NE over CIN.