Beware of the Bandwagoners

Lets talk...last night's game:

8-2. For any team in the NFL, that is an impressive record. Oh but wait, bring on the "fans" who are ready to trash the Bengals and jump right off the bandwagon. Good riddance. To see what I saw out of our fan base posted to social media is despicable. On a night where pass protection was non-existent, the Andy Dalton haters came out to play. Don't get me wrong, I had my fair share of criticism for Andy last year, but I have been pleasantly surprised with his level of play and leadership thus far this season. The Texans loss, yeah that was pretty bad. Losing on Monday night to a subpar team wasn't a good look, but we are talking about the Cardinals. Most people have Arizona as a Super Bowl contender this year. We were on the road, against a very good team, and it came down to a last second field goal to win the game. Granted, we weren't on the winning side of that kick, but we hung tight.

Lets talk...perspective:

The Bengals clearly didn't play up to their potential last night. The offense didn't move the ball for most of the third quarter. Andy got no help from his offensive line. Our entire secondary was depleted in a matter of about 10 plays. Speaking of which Dennard will need shoulder surgery, and is now out for the season. It's a tough break, but c'mon people we still have a great shot at not only making the playoffs but WINNING A GAME! If the Bengals hadn't started 8-0 and maybe lost these two games more in the beginning or middle of the season, I don't believe these fans and "experts" would be so harsh. I mean look at the Packers for god's sake. They were undefeated then lost three in a row! But guess what, they just beat a Vikings team whose offense has been tearing people up lately. Just because you drop a couple games doesn't mean you'll never win again; a little nugget of wisdom for all you so quick to turn on your own team.

Lets talk...Top 25:

Some good news came on Monday for Cincinnati sports fans...the Cincinnati Bearcats check in at No. 24 in the AP Poll. This comes after they put a hurting on Arkansas-Pine Bluff yesterday, 99-50. The Cats have been lighting up the scoreboard in their first four games posting at least 83 points or more. No, they have not played the juggernauts of college basketball, but to see the offense gel is a wonderful thing. Since the exit of star Sean Kilpatrick, running an offense that can score consistently has been a real problem for Mick Cronin and his team. I believe they will always be a defense-first cast, seeing the oh so familiar full-court press that Mick loves so much proves that. However; if they can keep up the intensity on the defensive side, and score points, that is a deadly combination for opponents to combat. Farad Cobb posted his second 20-point game in a row yesterday, hitting four of six from beyond the 3-point line. Four other bearcats also scored in double figures.

Basketball and Bearcats and Bengals...Oh My!

Lets Talk...bearcats basketball:

The time has come! The Bearcats take the court tonight for their home opener, and I couldn't be more excited! With Gunner Kiel and the football team having a tough time with their even tougher schedule this year, Mick Cronin and the boys will be a refreshing sight. That's right, I said Mick Cronin. The head coach we all expect to see on the sideline was watching his team from afar last season after doctors found he had an unruptured aneurysm. Cronin has been cleared to coach this year and will be working with some outstanding returning talent. Floor sergeant Troy Caupain will be returning for his junior season, as well as sophomore forward Gary Clark. The biggest asset being Senior forward Octavius Ellis, who was voted preseason first team All-AAC by the league's coaches.

These returning vets know that this is a defense-first team. Last year they were ranked number six nationally in scoring defense with opponents only averaging 55.8 points per game. However, the Cats did struggle to put points of their own on the board. Cronin says the team is still adjusting to a new style of play offensively, which will run at a faster pace than last season. Despite being unranked in the preseason polls, the Cincinnati hometown fans, including myself, think this team could make a dangerous push in March. The workload starts tonight at 7 as the Cats tip off in Fifth Third Arena against Western Carolina.

Lets Talk...Monday Night Football:

Undefeated. The Bengals sitting at 8-0 look to remain that way against the Houston Texans on Monday Night. The primetime curse was broken against a down and out Cleveland team last Thursday, and for the second week in a row the Bengals will be in the national spotlight. Another Sunday without a Bengals game?! Whatever shall we do?!

Although Houston has had a less than stellar year, they still possess one of the biggest defensive threats in the league; J.J. Watt. Better known as J.J. Swatt to some. He  doesn't just make intriguing commercials, he gets to the quarterback. He matched a career high last season recording 20.5 sacks. The man is a machine. Although, in the meeting with the Texans last year, Watt was not able to penetrate the Bengals O-line. Lets hope recent history can repeat itself as the Bengals look to go 9-0 on Monday.

Ohio Rumble in the Jungle

Lets talk...Sunday's game:

What should've been an offensive shootout, turned into a defensive grudge match between the Bengals and the Steelers this past Sunday. An offense that has been seemingly unstoppable through the first six games, couldn't produce a touchdown until it was nearly over. On the other side, Pittsburgh just got Big Ben back off of the knee injury. Oh yeah, not to mention Le'veon Bell (pre-injury), Martavis Bryant, and Antonio Brown in the mix. But, much to my surprise, it ended with a whopping final score of 16-10. Big Ben looked anything but comfortable in that knee brace, and the Bengals looked SLOPPY for coming off a bye week. I had a bad feeling about that game from the start. Bye week, playing a division rival who just got their star QB back, and it's in Pittsburgh! I could have seen a close one coming from a mile away. I feel like I'm still on my couch with my fingers crossed, watching the final play. But here we are, 7-0. Gosh, does that feel good to say! For the first time in franchise history no less! We're also part of an elite, undefeated crowd that includes: the Broncos, Patriots, and Panthers.

Lets talk... the Brownies:

Don't sleep on Cleveland. Most of the Browns' losses this year have been against quality opponents, and even more of them have come in heartbreaking fashion. Their defense is a force to be reckoned with. One of the top cornerbacks in the league, Joe Haden, will prove to be a fun matchup for A.J Green. Mr. Jonathon Football was just announced as the starter too. I know what you're going to say next, "We smoked Manziel last year, made him look like a fool". Well folks, that was Johnny Rehab. In the games that he has played in this year, he's accurate, makes good decisions with the football, and he's still the mobile QB that he was in college. And lets not forget, Cleveland has taken three of the last five meetings with the Bengals.

One more thing we all have in the back of our minds is...PRIMETIME, dun dun dun. Yes, we are aware that the Bengals have come up short in almost all of their primetime games within the last three years; However, this is a new team. They're undefeated! After that win in Pittsburgh, and the crazy comeback against Seattle, I feel like something is meant to happen for this team this year. Not to mention I'll be in attendance so they better bring home the W!