"And that's a good thing"

[BengalChris]

One thing about this upcoming year is that the team has a tougher schedule and we are going to get to see some games we don't see much.

There are some games this year that, if I were the owner, I'd have circled on my calendar and these games would be a point of pride for the team to bring its absolute A game to.

First, [first on list because it's the first game of the year] the Bengals have never beaten the Raiders on the road, not ever. Yes, that's not a typo. While Oakland isn't and hasn't been that great for quite awhile, the Bengals nonetheless are 0 for in Oakland. I say this would be an important win considering the team's history there. The Bengals last playoff game against Oakland happened to be the start of their now longest playoff win drought. Yes, you read correctly. The Bengals last playoff win was against the old Houston Oiler's and the following week they traveled to the LA Raiders and haven't won a playoff game since.

Second, there's the 49ers, in San Fran. The Bengals have only 3 wins against the 49ers and something like 12 losses, two of which happen to SB losses. This should measure very, very, very high on the team's pride meter and going into San Fran and knocking the snot out of them should be a priority for the coaches and management and the team.

Third is the Steelers who swept the Bengals last year. The Bengals need to show up and play their best ball. Last year, in the final game of the year Bell was injured and he didn't play the following week in a Steelers loss to the Ravens. The Bengals had AJ Green go down and he didn't play in the Bengals playoff loss. So expect some bad blood. The Bengals need their head in these games and need to come away with at least one victory.

Fourth, is Seattle at PBS. Seattle is clearly one of the top tier teams in the league and should be considered a good measuring stick to see how this team has progressed or regressed, which ever may be the case.

Fifth would be the Ravens. The Bengals won both games last year and the Ravens are going to be out to prove they are the better team. Bengals need to continue their winning ways and be up for these games.

Sixth is San Diego, a team that came into PBS in 2013 and continued the Bengals playoff drought. The Bengals were over confident and just got beat. That needs to be set right.

Seventh is Denver, a team the Bengals beat last year and embarrassed Manning somewhat. Manning doesn't forget and laying the wood on Manning and Denver for the second year in a row late in the season would help establish the Bengals as a legit contender going into the playoffs. It's important for a team like the Bengals, who haven't won a playoff in game so long, to go into the playoffs with several wins in a row and Denver needs to be one of those.

Eighth would Cleveland on Thursday night. Yes the Bengals won the second game against the Brown last year, the embarrassing performance by Andy Dalton has yet to be set right. Dalton and the offense need to dominate on Thursday night this year. Not because it's Browns, but because they need to prove to themselves that they can show up and be dominating in a situation where they haven't fared well in the past.

Ninth is Houston, a team that will be looking for revenge after last year, but a team the Bengals need to lay the beat down on soundly. The Texans have handed the Bengals two of their last 4 playoff losses. Payback is far from complete.