It is absolutely possible for the Bengals to beat the Giants. No, I don’t have any fancy Nate Silver prediction models. I’m just a Bengals fan. As a fan, I really liked what I saw of our defense in the game against the Broncos. If the secondary finds a way to shut down Giants WR Victor Cruz, the Giants will not spend much time in the endzone. All the Bengals need is a game where Andy Dalton does not throw an interception, and they can put points on the scoreboard in every quarter. Really, it can happen…
http://flic.kr/p/5aiqaC
Don’t Believe The Hype (because this should be the only time I quote Flavor Flav): Yes, I have been hard on Andy Dalton. He is the quarterback, and I expect more. However, I can admit that it is unfair to put all the blame on him. The loss of veteran center Kyle Cook has significantly impacted the productivity of the Bengals offensive line. Both Jeff Faine and Trevor Robinson are attempting to fill Cook’s shoes with much less experience and nursing injuries of their own. Maybe this is not just a sophomore slump, but Dalton better find some mobility of his own if collapsed pockets continue as the new normal.
http://flic.kr/p/4rCBSu
Call Him A Nightmare on Elm Street (because the opponents are still having bad dreams): Old man Terrance Newman probably remembers when the first Nightmare on Elm Street opened in movie theaters back in 1984. Age aside, he looked rather nimble in picking off Peyton Manning twice. Currently, Newman is tied with DeAngelo Hall for the most picks against the Manning brothers at six each. With Cincy playing Eli and the Giants this Sunday, let’s hope Newman gets an interception to surge ahead for the lead.
http://flic.kr/p/4mpKd1
Tweet of the Week (because I might start liking Twitter): I really could not decide between these two so enjoy!
1) From Rick Reilly: “Peyton Manning is now 8-0 vs. the #Bengals. Nobody’s destroyed them more often. Except Mike Brown, of course.”
2) From PatDinTampa: “My inside sources with the #Bucs have told me that Doug Martin has run for another 76 yards and 2 Touchdowns on the plane ride home. “
Fantasy Football Rights and Wrongs (because I am right about your decisions and not mine): Yay for A.J. Green scoring a TD against famed Broncos CB Champ Bailey. This was the first TD given up by Bailey this season. If you are lucky enough to have Green on your fantasy team, then continue to enjoy the ride!
Life After “Friday Night Lights” (also known as the college football season): The Bama vs. LSU game was totally worth it. Now that we have gotten that out of the way, it is time to pay attention to the undefeated Notre Dame Fighting Irish. Brace yourselves, it is pretty clear that the Irish could finish the season undefeated and still have no shot at the championship title. For whatever it’s worth, they can always reach out to the 2004-2005 Auburn, Utah and Boise State teams for consolation.
The Earth Is Not Flat (and great reasons to discuss sports other than football): Unfortunately, the Detroit Pistons seem to be picking up where the Detroit Tigers left off. They have opened their NBA season at 0-4. At least in their generosity, the Pistons did give the Lakers their first win of the season which helped bring so many Laker fans back off the ledge.
http://flic.kr/p/c1Upy3
There May Be Life in Other Solar Systems (and other non-sports related news worth mentioning): Super Storm Sandy lived up to all her predictions. It takes a lot to rattle folks from New York and New Jersey. Their mettle is legendary. That being said, this is a time for us to rally around them and provide support where it is needed because the losses have been so devastating for so many of them.
