Hope vs Expect

[MileHighGrowler]

(01-28-2022, 12:12 PM)GAWhoDey Wrote: We all hope for a Super Bowl victory.

Realistically, and I think most long-time Bengals fans probably feel this way deep down, I'm always stiffening myself in preparation of the impending crushing disappointment.  I wholeheartedly believe that we CAN beat the Chiefs at their place, but we need some bounces IMO.  It will be by far the toughest environment these young guys have seen in the NFL, so it won't be easy.  But it's a championship game, it shouldn't be easy.  

I will say, even if we lose Sunday, this season has been the most fun I've had as a Bengals fan since 1988 (I was 13 years old at the time).  Actually, it's probably been more fun.  I grew up in Athens, so we didn't go to any games in 1988, and I've been to three this year all the way from Atlanta, including the Raiders playoff game.  What a blast it's been to watch this team come together like this.   I don't want it to end yet, but even a loss Sunday can't knock me off this cloud I'm on.

It's really hard to break that habit of steeling yourself against a potential loss.  Getting emotionally invested and then getting crushed sucks.  But I will say my attitude has changed a lot this year.  They're a fun team.  I feel okay investing because they're proving they're worthy of it.  And honestly, even if they lost this Sunday, I know they'll be back and even better next year, and the season will be so much more excited from the onset with that being the case.  

I really do expect them to win this Sunday.  It's been a weird year but it just feels like they've got the lightning captured in a bottle.