10-05-2015, 09:31 PM
There's a lot of talk about this team "flying under the radar". I don't entirely agree, but it's certainly nothing like last year when they were only one of two undefeated teams remaining and were ordained as the best team in football before helping kick-start the Patriots' revival. With six undefeated teams through 4 weeks in 2015, it's easier to get lost in the shuffle.
That ends Sunday.
Win or lose, the spotlight will shine squarely on the Bengals this weekend. With a home loss to the two-time defending NFC champions, many (including some of those not talking about the Bengals or simply not giving them their due at the moment) will use the game as a means of showing the world how this team is not ready to hang with the best in the league. However, it will be damn near impossible for anyone to ignore a win over a team many still consider a favorite to return to yet another Super Bowl.
Even after Week 5, the spotlight will remain. A tough road game against a rejuvenated Bills team and a head coach that (deserving or not) commands attention. After the bye week that follows, a huge road game within the division at Pittsburgh. This will garner a wealth of attention, especially if Roethlisberger returns. This is a marquee matchup regardless.
After that, the spotlight intensifies even more, not so much due to the quality of opponents, but because of the Paul Browns Stadium lights themselves. Back-to-back prime time games - both at home and both against opponents they will be comfortably favored against. This is a great opportunity to build upon this team's growing confidence.
This is a tough stretch. I could see this team ending up at 6-3 and I wouldn't be terribly disappointed considering quality of opponents and the flaws they've been able to overcome thus far. However, I can see a path to 9-0, too. The Seahawks haven't been as dominant as most expected to this point and will be travelling east on a short week. The Bills are up & down and commit even more penalties than the Bengals do. The Steelers secondary is vulnerable and there is the chance we draw Vick instead of Ben. After that, vengence against Cleveland and their 32nd ranked defense and Houston's QB merry-go-round.
With each win, we hear how this team (and, more specifically, the quarterback) has changed, but the truth is they will have to continue to prove it week after week. It is making for a very entertaining season. It's kind of nice to be overlooked, but I would rather that change. No teams sneak into the Super Bowl. The best teams in the league earn the spotlight and, once they feel its heat, show time and time again why they deserved it. It's long past time for the Bengals to thrive in the spotlight and this may very well be the team to do it. Who Dey!
That ends Sunday.
Win or lose, the spotlight will shine squarely on the Bengals this weekend. With a home loss to the two-time defending NFC champions, many (including some of those not talking about the Bengals or simply not giving them their due at the moment) will use the game as a means of showing the world how this team is not ready to hang with the best in the league. However, it will be damn near impossible for anyone to ignore a win over a team many still consider a favorite to return to yet another Super Bowl.
Even after Week 5, the spotlight will remain. A tough road game against a rejuvenated Bills team and a head coach that (deserving or not) commands attention. After the bye week that follows, a huge road game within the division at Pittsburgh. This will garner a wealth of attention, especially if Roethlisberger returns. This is a marquee matchup regardless.
After that, the spotlight intensifies even more, not so much due to the quality of opponents, but because of the Paul Browns Stadium lights themselves. Back-to-back prime time games - both at home and both against opponents they will be comfortably favored against. This is a great opportunity to build upon this team's growing confidence.
This is a tough stretch. I could see this team ending up at 6-3 and I wouldn't be terribly disappointed considering quality of opponents and the flaws they've been able to overcome thus far. However, I can see a path to 9-0, too. The Seahawks haven't been as dominant as most expected to this point and will be travelling east on a short week. The Bills are up & down and commit even more penalties than the Bengals do. The Steelers secondary is vulnerable and there is the chance we draw Vick instead of Ben. After that, vengence against Cleveland and their 32nd ranked defense and Houston's QB merry-go-round.
With each win, we hear how this team (and, more specifically, the quarterback) has changed, but the truth is they will have to continue to prove it week after week. It is making for a very entertaining season. It's kind of nice to be overlooked, but I would rather that change. No teams sneak into the Super Bowl. The best teams in the league earn the spotlight and, once they feel its heat, show time and time again why they deserved it. It's long past time for the Bengals to thrive in the spotlight and this may very well be the team to do it. Who Dey!
