Cincinnati Bengals: Time to turn optimism in to results

Despite a loss in the season opener, the Cincinnati Bengals played well and most fans are optimistic, but results must come in Week 2.

Pretty much everyone expected the Bengals to lose in Seattle, that happened. However, Cincinnati out gaining the Seahawks by almost 200 yards and ten first downs also happened. Given expectations and how stale things had become in the last few years of the Marvin Lewis era, most fans feel good about the future under Zac Taylor in spite of the first relevant result. The tweet below from Rick Ucchino of ESPN 1530 is a fair assessment of things.

However, the NFL is black and white. Cincinnati’s 0-1 is exactly the same as that of the Dolphins in the standings. Zac Taylor’s first team already has the city and fans infinitely more excited about Bengals football than they were at the end of the Lewis era.

That is an awesome thing, but everyone knows how a team’s playoff chances drop off dramatically with an 0-2 start. The opponent this week won last week, but the 49ers are not scaring anyone.

Of all the team’s that lost last week, Cincinnati may be in the trickiest spot this week. They have a fanbase that is somewhat reengaged, are playing at home, and facing a much weaker foe than last week. They “should” win this game, especially if last week’s form carries over.

The bottom line is this. The Bengals played well last week and turned a few heads in the national media. Moreover, they got many Cincinnatians excited to watch this week, myself included. Admit it. You went into the opener with your eyes partly covered expecting a blowout.

To have people feeling positive about the Bengals again was a big part of Taylor’s mission. So far so good. Even so, if his team lays an egg Sunday, it all goes away and the “same old Bengals” mentality will be back full force. It is only Week 2, but the Bengals are indeed facing a “must win” scenario this week.