Week 9 preview

04 Nov 2006


week 9 preview
Category: Sports

After Sunday the Bengals should know what kind of goal is realistically attainable as far as post season goes. A loss would force our collective attention on a wild card spot which might be a better route for the road warrior Bengals. Winning allows for some much needed chest pounding and would demand our respect back as a Super Bowl contender. We've played Baltimore well in the past couple of years. Their pro-bowl secondary has struggled containing our receivers and Rudi's had a couple of big games as well. Proof again that within divisional play, match-ups on paper tend to fly out the window.

ON defense, the Bengals could really use a few turnovers. The characteristic we thrived on so well last year has dried up so far this season. I wonder if teams are playing it safer against us than they did last year, or if we just arent creating those same oppurtunities. Geathers had a fumble last week but then immediately dropped it attempting to get up and run with it. McNair had a bad game against us last year and threw a terrible pick to Odell that proved to be the game. I expect Jamaal Lewis to get 25-30 carries and try to maintain T.O.P. and Todd Heap to get thrown to within the red zone. Simmons is doubtful so the youth returns to the forefront for linebackers. Jeanty may be back and while he hasn't wowed me at all this season, it'll be nice to have another body to rotate in. He's a bigger guy and that will be what this game comes down to...strength. I suspect we'll blitz more on throwing downs because McNair just doesn't have the wheels he once had, and the d-line is likely pissed about last week and wants to hit somebody.

Offensively I would like to see a lot of Rudi. Ngata is opposing lining up above Guicheck, but the kid has improved every week and we all know Rudi runs best up the middle. Basically I just want to see us control the clock and keep our offense on the field. If we score fieldgoals every time down that's fine with me. Housh plays on third down, Henry plays around the sideline, and Chad only when he's open with man-to-man coverage. No forcing the ball down field this week. If any week we should "take what the defense gives us", it's this week. We should be preparing for many three step drop plays so we dont get frazzled by the crazy blitzes they're sure to run at us.

It's going to be another bruiser. I like that we're on the road, but I dont like that we're on a winning streak against them. Marvin will hopefully get everybody focused and elliminate the excuses the media portrays us as having. Regardless of who's healthy and who isn't, if you wanna be a playoff team ya gotta act and play like it. Bottom line.

Ravens 21-18 (hopefully my losing streak continues)

Mojokong - I have to watch the game on f*cking tape delay. GRRRR!!!