12-07-2015, 01:40 PM
The Bengals got a lot of respect out here in AZ the week before and after the Cards game. And the sports guys out here are not known for giving incoming opponents a lot of respect. They generally felt that we are a very good team and if they could beat us, they would finally get some of the recognition they felt they deserved (which I think is true).
But the national take on the Bengals is that, at this point, they have to win a playoff game before others around the league will be convinced. News people and sometimes other teams' fans have been picking us to do well over the past four seasons, but feel they have ultimately been burned by the playoff losses. This is especially true of those who bet money. Personally, I never bet. But there are a lot of people who do. And they hold a lot of hard feelings. Non-Cincy fans respect the teams' talent (probably due in no small part to fantasy football).
It may sound like a broken record, but this team won't win over the respect of non-Cincy fans around the league and the media until the achieve in the post-season. It is the ugly truth.
But the national take on the Bengals is that, at this point, they have to win a playoff game before others around the league will be convinced. News people and sometimes other teams' fans have been picking us to do well over the past four seasons, but feel they have ultimately been burned by the playoff losses. This is especially true of those who bet money. Personally, I never bet. But there are a lot of people who do. And they hold a lot of hard feelings. Non-Cincy fans respect the teams' talent (probably due in no small part to fantasy football).
It may sound like a broken record, but this team won't win over the respect of non-Cincy fans around the league and the media until the achieve in the post-season. It is the ugly truth.
![[Image: 416686247_404249095282684_84217049823664...e=659A7198]](https://scontent.fphx1-2.fna.fbcdn.net/v/t39.30808-6/416686247_404249095282684_8421704982366424390_n.jpg?_nc_cat=102&ccb=1-7&_nc_sid=3635dc&_nc_ohc=p8hMrwwk1IoAX8mnFLJ&_nc_ht=scontent.fphx1-2.fna&oh=00_AfBXs4gKHr4knFejO874dfV3zzLd_bq4GiUqHxGWFlwbug&oe=659A7198)
