3 bold predictions for Cincinnati Bengals playoff run
The ride ends in Kansas City
Don’t yell at me!
I want this team to go to the Super Bowl as much or more than anyone. Even Mike Brown. But are they ready? I know the cliche “any given Sunday” exists for a reason, but really, is this team ready?
By most measures, even the most optimistic of fans have to concede that this team is at least a year ahead of schedule. Despite the fact that I laid out the path to the playoffs here several months ago, even I can’t see them making the big game in Los Angeles.
What does that mean for the ride, however?
The Bengals should handle the Raiders in the Jungle. That in and of itself will be an occasion worthy of burning down half of the city, but should we be satisfied there? I say no.
The second-round game would be in Nashville against the worst top seed the AFC has offered in some time. No disrespect to the Titans, but they aren’t exactly an offensive juggernaut. Even though Derrick Henry is expected back from his foot injury, couldn’t you see Burrow dropping 14 quick points on the Titans and forcing Ryan Tannehill to beat him?
Show of hands if you think Ryan Tannehill is going to best Joe Burrow in a shootout. Yea, that’s no hands.
My point is, the Bengals are extremely capable of rolling into Nashville and running the Titans back up Lower Broadway all the way to Vanderbilt University.
Where do we go from there?
A victory over the Raiders, followed by a road win over the Titans would like likely land the Bengals in Kansas City playing for a Super Bowl berth. As badly as I’d like to predict a Bengal victory, I just can’t.
It’s not out of the realm of possibility, but you can definitely expect Andy Reid and company to figure out how the Bengal defense limited them to THREE offensive points in the second half, and adjust. I definitely wouldn’t predict a blowout, but a loss in the AFC title game would be the likely outcome.
There’s absolutely no shame in that.
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There you go Bengal fans. Three of the wildest predictions to honor one of the wildest seasons in memory. Let’s hope I nail TWO of three and the Bengals are playing in Los Angeles in February.