05-12-2019, 12:17 PM
(05-12-2019, 11:57 AM)Shake n Blake Wrote: I'm not even sure we beat the Steelers. A common problem for Marv teams in the playoffs is collapsing in the 2nd half.
1st halves: 61 points scored - 80 points allowed
2nd halves: 29 points scored - 96 points allowed
Even with Palmer out, we continued our hot start, jumping out to a 17-7 lead (17-14 at half). Then Kitna and the offense fell apart in the 2nd half. I don't think Palmer being there would've changed anything. People also forget how awful Palmer was in 2009 against the Jets. 18 of 36 for 146 yards and a pick. We just assume that because Palmer hooked up with Henry on that 1st pass that the entire game was going to be like that. I honestly doubt it.
Even if we assume Palmer lights it up and the Bengals don't choke up in the 2nd half, we weren't beating Peyton's Colts in Indy.
I think there's one intangible you're leaving out for the game in 2005, though, and that's the crowd. First playoff game in 15 years, hope springing eternal, no years of playoff disappointments yet... Palmer's injury definitely tore the heart out of the crowd, but if he stays out there I think it plays a factor, especially if they jump out to a lead again.
