The 2009 Bengals schedule has been released and the labyrinth looks – at first glance – a little less lethal than in years past.
The opener against Denver this year, isn't as scary for a couple of reasons. New coach Josh McDaniels, gets the incredibly average Kyle Orton to showcase his new system, while the defense still has glaring holes leftover from last season. Plus it’s a home game for the Bengals and statistics say that’s important.
Early battles (at Green Bay then back home for the Steelers) will show fans just what’s under the hood of this year’s hooptie. Steal a win in either of those games and watch the people of Cincinnati begin to come out of their holes nestled into the hillsides. Starting out 2-1 would make the Indian Summer a bit more golden around these parts, but beware, dropping the first three games is far more likely.
Unfortunately, the term “must-win” could be labeled for the Week 4 matchup in Cleveland. Lose that one too and you’re headed to Baltimore and on the verge of an 0-5 start. The familiar sinking feeling resonates somewhere in my chest just thinking of another abysmal start like that, but all too often, that is the way.
The second half appears far more doable with softies like Oakland, KC, Detroit and Cleveland again – not to mention a Jets team that could be awful this season. The Bears and Texans both come to town in October and the world isn’t sure of what to expect from either team in ‘09; the Vikings are another unknown variable heading into training camp and could turn out to be an easier opponent. Hopefully it still matters by Week 14.
The crystal ball strongly suggests that a 6-10 season is at hand. All the makings are there; the stars have spoken. But, like you, I am a Bengals fan, so they get one more win.
Mojokong – 7-9
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1 comment:
Sad, truly sad... and you call yourself a Bengals fan.
The schedule in itself indicates a playoff year. The return of Carson and the emergence of Benson/Drafted RB, and Simposon and Caldwell, along with occasional bombs to Henry and Chad and the offense will give us an average to slightly above output, at worst, I think, or rather, hope. In years past, the defense could do nothing as the opponent scored more than we did but this year this is not the case. An above average DT rotation may allow Odom and Geathers some breathing room to get after it, Rivers is back, as is BJohnson and a draft pick will bring another young atheletic LB in, allowing a top ten D and a formula for a playoff team!
Now THATs a Bengals fan!
All in al
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