Cincinnati Bengals: Not time to worry
Party like it’s 2012
Four seasons ago, the Bengals lost 31-23 to the Denver Broncos. A fourth-straight loss dropped their record to 3-5 and things looked bleak. What followed was an incredible run.
Andy Dalton went for 16 touchdowns, the defense held opponents to 12.7 points per game and the Bengals won seven of their final eight. Cincinnati clinched a playoff bid with a 13-10 win at Heinz Field in week 16.
Why can’t fans look at that? With a favorable upcoming schedule, a run like that is very plausible.
Back then, the Bengals were still an up-and-coming team. Fast forward to the present, Cincinnati is a team full of veterans.
Outside a coaching staff that saw three changes on offense (Ken Zampese, Robert Couch, Dan Pitcher) and defense (Robert Livingston, Kevin Coyle, Jim Haslett), this team is experienced and knows how to win football games.
I understand the worry of WhoDey Nation right now. I really do. The team is in uncharted waters with three losses in five weeks.But, this is a club that has lost to three quality opponents, something that we’re used to seeing from September-December since 2011. If the Bengals can win the games they are supposed to win, a sixth consecutive trip to the playoffs is not out of the question.