3 things we learned from Bengals’ dominant week 12 win vs Steelers

I know it’s been some time, especially for our older fans, and perhaps not even in the lifetime of many fans, but doesn’t the coffee taste a little better after beating Pittsburgh? Doesn’t the sun shine a little brighter? Isn’t work (slightly) less painful?

Well, how does it feel knowing the Cincinnati Bengals have swept the season series, and in convincing, behind-the-woodshed fashion? At this point it would be fair to write Santa a letter and tell him as a collective fan base we have gotten all we need for Christmas.

However, should we be satisfied?

Only a couple of short weeks ago many fans and pundits alike thought the Bengals had been exposed after two consecutive losses, especially the fashion with which they lost. A shocker to the lowly Jets and a blowout at the hands of the Browns had the Bengals stumbling into the bye week needing to look themselves squarely in the mirror.

Well, apparently they looked, checked their hair, liked what they saw, and came out of the bye with a vengeance.

Wins against the Raiders in Las Vegas, and the soul-crushing blowout of Pittsburgh has renewed the swagger in the Queen City and once again renewed optimism that this team is a legitimate playoff contender.

Here are the three things fans learned from the Bengals’ curb-stomping of the Steelers.