Ask Jim Owczarski

[BengalChris]

Jim,

This year's schedule gives the Bengals a chance to exorcise some demons.

During the regular season, the Bengals are going to play 6 of the last 8 teams that handed them playoff losses dating back to their last SB.

This would be the Raiders, who happened to give the Bengals the first of their current playoff losing streak, the Bo Jackson game. On top of that, the Bengals have never won in Oakland.

Then there's the 49ers, a team which handed the Bengals both their SB losses. In addition, the Bengals' lowest win total versus any opponent happens to the 49ers, a team the Bengals have only beaten 3 times in their history.

The remain teams are Houston (consecutive playoff losses), Pittsburgh and San Diego.

The other two teams from the last 8 playoff losses are the Jets and Colts, teams the Bengals could see this postseason.

I'm not superstitious, but erasing an 0 for in Oakland to start the year off, laying the wood to the 49ers, Houston and San Diego wouldn't hurt the team's confidence. Any win against the Steelers is a good win, as usual.