Division Title Time
Minneapolis, MN – The Cincinnati Bengals could soon clinch yet another absence from the NFL’s first weekend of postseason games in early January.
Oh, but this time, the bye would be earned and not punishment for a traditionally poor performance.
Only three teams can currently boast of a better record this year than the Bengals (9-3), who’ll find out over the next two Sundays just how far removed they are from those infamously nicknamed and startlingly inept Bungles of the not-so-distant past.
If they beat the Vikings (10-2) in Minnesota, they’ll be AFC North champions and qualify for the playoffs for only the second time since 1990. Then if they can defeat the Chargers in San Diego the following week, they’ll have the edge for second place in the conference and the bye and subsequent home game that comes with it.
ce we get to the postseason, these are the types of teams we’re going to play. So this will sort of measure up on how we will do,” wide receiver Chad Ochocinco said, hardly making one of his flamboyant statements given the Bengals need only one win in their last four games to guarantee their spot.
First foe first, though. The Vikings are stinging from their worst effort of the year, a lopsided loss at Arizona. After his team failed to get a sack and totaled 62 yards rushing against the Cardinals, defensive end Jared Allen declared his sympathy for the Bengals because they’ll be the next opponent after the Vikings refocus and try to fix some apparent flaws.
Running back Adrian Peterson, who was limited to a season-low 19 yards, sensed a widespread letdown last week.
“Everyone wasn’t there. Just lackadaisical attitude, and with that you’re going to have the effect where it trickles down to the entire team,” Peterson said. “But that’s all it was. That can make the run game look back. It can make the pass game look bad. Special teams. It was all around. Correct those things and make sure we come in with the right mindset, and we’ll be all right.”
Brett Favre had his first multi-interception game, too, the product of what he called – and everyone else watching saw – bad decisions stemming from frustration.
ed: “I can’t speak for every guy, what it’s like when they go home or when they’re talking to their friends or families, but collectively we’re doing and saying the right things.”
The Vikings fell two games behind New Orleans for the conference lead, but they too have a first-round bye in sight. If they beat the Bengals and Chicago beats Green Bay, a second straight NFC North title is theirs. Stumble again Sunday, though, and suddenly the pressure increases with mounting injuries also a concern for the playoffs.
The last time the Vikings looked this poised for a Super Bowl push was 1998, the last time the Bengals visited the Metrodome. The last time the Bengals made the playoffs was 2005, that being their only appearance of the past two decades.
While the Saints and Colts have hogged the league-wide attention with their perfect records and Favre’s splash with the Vikings has been a headline-grabber, the Bengals have quietly built themselves into a sturdy contender. After less-than-emphatic home victories over bottom-dwelling Cleveland and Detroit, they’re aware of the skepticism that persists – even from their own success-starved fans.
“I really feel like everyone is still waiting for us to kind of fall on our face, and that’s been one of our motivating factors this year,” safety Chris Crocker said. “Every week they’re going to pick us to lose, and that’s fine.”
d Raiders and the 1999 Indianapolis Colts for the greatest year-to-year improvement through 13 games. The Bengals were 1-11-1 at this point last season.
Record isn’t the only difference, either. Their defense is the stingiest around, allowing a league-low 15.6 points per game. And even with an accomplished quarterback in Carson Palmer and a five-time Pro Bowl player in Ochocino, the Bengals are thriving on the ground – even bringing an extra lineman in to block and overload the formation on certain plays. Cedric Benson is 31 yards from his first 1,000-yard season, and when he was hurt Larry Johnson and Bernard Scott filled in with 100-yard games.
“I’ve said it over and over again: I’d love to go out and score 50 points a game,” Palmer said. “I don’t think that’s impossible for us to do. It’s something we can do, but it’s something we haven’t needed to do. All that’s important is winning games and finding ways to win games.”
Posted: 12/12/09 9:45PM ET