3-0 Forever Ago

If you are a member of Who-Dey Nation, then you know the feeling of glum and disparity that has been hanging over the Queen City for the last few weeks, especially after the Bengals were blanked by the Indianapolis Colts in a 27-0 loss that really should have been much worse.

The last time the Bengals recorded a win was during week three of the NFL season when they cruised to a 33-7 win over the Tennessee Titans. This was the last time the Bengals looked phenomenal in all phases of the game. They dominated the Titans on the field, and they even pulled the starters out of the game towards the end of it. They were 3-0 and sitting atop the tough AFC North Division. The Bengals could not have gone into the bye week on a higher note.

That was four weeks ago, and to Bengals fans all around the world, it almost seems like an eternity ago. Following the bye week, the Bengals were crushed by the New England Patriots in a 43-17 bloodbath that saw the Cincinnati football squad once again suffer a meltdown in a primetime game.

The following week, the Bengals played host to the NFC South leading Carolina Panthers. This was a huge opportunity for the Bengals to not only extend their regular season home winning streak, but also rebound from the pummeling they suffered at the hands of the Patriots by defeating a quality team. If you read my “Terrible Ties” post, then you know this was not the case as the game ended in a 37-37 tie when Bengals kicker Mike Nugent missed a very makeable field goal as time expired in overtime.

This brings us to this past Sunday when the Bengals took on the AFC South leading Indianapolis Colts. Not only were they shutout, but the defense allowed the Colts to amass over 500 yards, and the offense had so many three and outs that I lost count. Had the Colts not turned the ball over twice, this game would have been a massacre.

Why are the Bengals playing like a peewee team? I realize that they have suffered numerous injuries to key players like A.J. Green, Marvin Jones, Tyler Eifert, and Rey Maualuga among others, but this is not the only reason as to why they have played so poor. Ever since the bye week, the defense has struggled mightily as they have allowed opposing offenses to score 107 points in three games. Mike Nugent has missed six field goals in six games. The offensive production has been spotty, as it looked great against the Panthers but awful against the Colts and the Patriots.

Thankfully, the NFL season consists of 16 games, and the Bengals will have the opportunity to catch the Baltimore Ravens, who now lead the AFC North, when they pay a visit to Paul Brown Stadium next Sunday. They will then host the Jacksonville Jaguars followed by the Cleveland Browns in a Thursday night battle of Ohio. Hopefully the Bengals will get the season sweep of the Ravens and defeat the Jaguars and the Browns to reclaim the top spot in the AFC North. All of these games will be played at home, and usually the Bengals play great football in Paul Brown Stadium.

Keep the faith Who-Dey Nation. While 3-0 seems like a distant memory, the Bengals are still in the thick of things and have a chance to improve their 3-2-1 record to that of 6-2-1. Players will get healthy, adjustments and improvements will be made, and the gloom hanging over Cincinnati will vanish. I still believe they are very capable of bringing home the Lombardi Trophy this year!

Who-Dey!