Props to the old guys

[*Awful Llama*]

(01-06-2021, 03:29 PM)Daddy-O Wrote: The 2005 team was good but they would've had to get past the Peyton Manning led Colts in Indy.  That same year the Colts won a shootout at PBS so they would've been highly favored in Indy.  As it turned out Pittsburgh beat the Colts in Indy in a close game.  Pitt was a better match-up for the Colts because they had a great defenses as usual.  We didn't.  In fact it was pretty weak.  Had we beaten the Steelers that year I still don't think the Bengals win against Peyton Manning in the dome with that porous defense.

I thought I remembered that differently, so I had to look it up.  We were the #3 seed in the AFC, Pit was #6, and Indy and Denver were #1 and #2, respectively.  So, had we beaten the Steelers, we as #3 would have went to #2 Denver while #4 NE (after beating Jax) would have went to #1 Indy.  Unfortunately for us (and NE, who went to Denver and lost by two TDs) that didn't happen. I remember at the time thinking we weren't getting by Denver anyway, but who knows.  Also, had we beaten Denver, we might have still faced the Colts anyway after they beat NE, so you're statement still has merit.

Pit went on the road and beat the #1-3 seeds, which is incredible.  I remember watching that Indy game, hoping they could do our dirty work for us.  Colts were down three late in the 4th when Bettis fumbled.  A Colt was on his way to a game-winning TD before Phat Jen lucked out and barely ankle-tackled the guy.  The Colts had to settle for a FG attempt, which Vanderjerk promptly missed, and Pit ran out the clock, *****.