Cincinnati Bengals: dealing with dirty truth and sad reality
By Emile Pierce
With seven games left on the schedule, the Cincinnati Bengals’ playoff chances are slim to none. Once again, the sad reality hits hard.
Going into the Week 10 matchup with Tennessee, there was a sliver of hope. Most Bengals fans remained optimistic the rest of the season. With half the schedule remaining, it was possible to make a run and show the doubters what could happen. Yup. The Bengals did just that. Got thumped by the Titans and looked pathetic doing so. The sad reality of the matter? The Bengals have had chances to win. The dirty truth? With the attitude of the current coaching staff, fans won’t get to see the true potential of this team.
The Bengals had one job. All they needed to do was go to Nissan Stadium and prove they could win. It didn’t have to be a blowout. That would have been nice. But, all they had to do was put a W on the board and get to Week 11. What happened? A typical concoction of lies, Marvin Lewis and a ton of horrendous play calling that has players, analysts and fans bewildered.
If you still hold hopes of the Bengals winning out and sneaking into the playoffs, God bless ya. You’re an optimist, after my own heart. But, there comes a moment in time when you have to look at things for what they are. Lewis and his staff of pretenders are not going to lead these players anywhere. They may get them to the local Skyline for a team lunch, but that’s it.
Lewis has lost control of the team and his coaches. Frankly, I’m still amazed at his ability to keep a job. Any other HC would be holding a “Will Coach For Food” sign. Mike Brown is loyal and cheap to a fault. Smh
It was over before it started
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The truth always hurts, when it comes to the Bengals. With the talent on this team, there should be no reason they are floundering along at 3-6. But, the writing was on the wall when the O-line was ignored. True, the draft projects signed to contracts were supposed to be the future of the team. So, there has to be a disconnect somewhere. Either the coaches can’t get the full potential of the players or the athletes just plain suck.
How many ways can the same scenario be sugar-coated? Cedric Ogbuehi isn’t catching on, Jake Fisher is done for the year (and was underwhelming), and Andre Smith is spotty at best. But, this is what the front office wanted to serve up on a platter.
This is the train wreck that was supposed to give Andy Dalton time to use his new weapons. Well, that ain’t happenin’ this year. And by the looks of it, things won’t be getting much better for a while. Lewis is a lame duck with no respect from the players and Bill Lazor’s offensive game plans look like something from Tecmo Bowl. Wait, that has too many plays.
Wait until next year…again
With the remaining schedule looking like a feast for the Bengals, it won’t necessarily go that way. Cincinnati has struggled with teams they should have handled with ease.
Of the games the Bengals have left remaining, only two seem like possible W’s. Week 11 in Denver could be a surprise. Former assistant Vance Joseph is having a hard go of things with the Broncos (3-6). If the Bengals are a mess, the Broncos aren’t far behind. Their other win could be against the Browns. But, even they’re playing with more pride than Cincinnati. Things could get ugly in that game.
Essentially, the Bengals are staring at a 4-12 finish. Maybe they hit 5-11 if they can stand tall against the Bears. They usually perform well against the NFC. Meh. That’s a big if.
So, once more, it’s a waiting game. Lewis will probably walk away, since Mike Brown doesn’t have the heart to fire him.