Another week, another win -- and another week of Bengals fans angst over January.
Really? For the Bengals, the ceiling seems limitless. For Bengals fans, the sky continues to fall. Just about everywhere these days, Cincinnati is a city of "yeah-buts".
"The Bengals are 6-0," I continue to say.
"Yeah, but let's wait and see what happens in January," is the usual retort.
Why can't we worry about January when January gets here? Isn't that what we do at Christmas? We spend money in December, with no conscience until the bills arrive after the first of the year.
Why can't we do the same thing with the Bengals?
Look, I don't know if the Bengals will break their four-year January curse. (Remember how quaint it used to be when all January meant to the local football team was a time for relaxation and reflection? Ah, for those good ol' 5-11 days)
I think the two games against Pittsburgh, the Denver game and maybe one of the Cleveland games will be tough outs for the Bengals. Other than that, I don't see anything on the horizon that makes me shudder. Enjoy the ride.
Now, some random thoughts after Week 6 in this NFL season is just about complete...
The biggest difference in Andy Dalton from this season to last is that he isn't making stupid throws. He has just two interceptions in six games. Last year, after six games, Dalton had three. It wasn't until after that where he started being "Bad Andy" and finished with 17...
The Bengals aren't talking about the severity of Vinny Rey's injury. But if it keeps him out of the lineup for any appreciable length of time, it'll hurt the home club. He's their most active player and top tackle. But Marvin Lewis said Monday he thinks both Rey and Michael Johnson, who was also injured Sunday, will be back in time to play against the Steelers, after the bye week...
Here's why I think Pittsburgh will go to the playoffs this season: They just won back-to-back games with two different backup quarterbacks. Landry Jones? Really? And they'll get Ben Roethlisbergerback in time to face the Bengals on Nov. 1...
I think the Browns are just a hair off from being a very good team. They should have beaten the BroncosSunday...
Peyton Manning can't throw the ball down field anymore, in case you haven't noticed. He's a "West Coast" quarterback. But his team is also 6-0...
Carson Palmer puts up big numbers again on Sunday. Yet the Cardinals still lose AND they only manage 13 points. I still like Arizona in a very weak NFC West division...
Don't look now, but the Jets are 4-1and just a game back of the Patriots in the AFC East...
Imagine how bad they'd be if IK Enemkpali didn't coldcock quarterback Geno Smithback in August...
You know what? For all the hype over Cam Newton this season, the main reason why the Carolina Panthers are 5-0 is the play of their defense. In five games, the Panthers' D has given up just 94 points...
Colts Coach Chuck Pagano says that awful "trick" punt call was "all on me." Good nobody else should have to take ownership of that. It was one of the worst calls I've seen this season...
Speaking of botched punts, what was worse: the way some dolt-headed Michigan fans got on Wolverines punter Blake O'Neill or the fractured hip Michigan State's Jalen Watts-Jackson suffered when his teammates pummeled him in celebration after his return of the botched snap for a game-winning touchdown?
Is Ohio State the only college football team that could change starting quarterbacks and not have it matter? I think even if Cardale Jones remained in the game in Saturday night's win over Penn State, the Buckeyes would have won. This is all about positioning the team for those games against Michigan and Michigan State next month...
You know, watching the Major League Baseball playoffs, I'm further convinced that the Reds comeback will be long and painful. They won't have a pitching staff that will be remotely as good as the four teams still standing for at least two seasons. And look at the lineups for each one of these teams. Other than Joey Votto, who off the current Reds roster starts for any of the four?
Dusty Baker wants back in baseball. I liked Baker a lot when he was here. I think he was the right touch for the Reds, but would've struggled after their "youth movement" (also known as salary dump) began. But with a veteran team, like the Nationals, he'd be a good fit. I hope the Nationals understand that too...
Monumental day in music Tuesday: the great Tom Petty will turn 65. And while I could've picked any song in his catalog to celebrate this seminal moment in Petty's life, I choose this one.
It's my Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers favorite. In his career, both as a member of the Hearbreakers, a solo act and a member of the super group The Traveling Wilburys, Tom Petty has sold more than 80 million records.
He grew up in Gainesville, Florida, and was taught to play the guitar by Don Felder, who would later go onto become the lead guitar player with The Eagles. Interestingly enough, Felder was being taught to play the slide guitar by another Gainesville resident, Duane Allman at the same time Felder was teaching Petty.
Petty collaborated on a lot of his songs with Mike Campbell, who also was the chief collaborator on most of Don Henley's solo hits. It's a continual point of amazement to me how good the music industry is. It's been very good to Petty, who in 2002 with the rest of the Heartbreakers, was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame.
Sixty-five years ago Tuesday, Thomas Earl Petty came upon this earth and proceeded to deliver some of the greatest rock 'n' roll ever recorded. Happy Birthday Tom.
Giants beat the Eagles tonight...
Make it a great week!
