09-05-2015, 03:41 PM
I think the Oakland game will be telling in terms of what this team will do this year. It's a long trip to play a team that seems to be trending upward. Del Rio is the closest thing they've had to a real coach in some time. I think the raiders will come out really fired up for that game. I think Cooper is a game changer for that team. It's huge that you're not dealing with the Rod Streaters and Andre Holmes type players when it comes to beating them in the passing game. He looks like an AJ Green/Julio Jones type talent that could step right in and cause problems for the Bengals.
All that said, the Bengals should be more than capable of winning that game. They're an experienced team that's got the talent and has been playing together for a long time. I don't expect the Bengals to blow them out, but losing shouldn't be an option if they're the kind of team they seem to think they are.
If they drop the Oakland game, then I'm a bit concerned about this season. If they can't prepare to deal with the wannabe upstarts like the Raiders, then I believe it's a flaw in their overall team mindset, and that they're not really much better, and perhaps even worse than they've been for the last 4 seasons. Gotta see if they still have the hunger.
All that said, the Bengals should be more than capable of winning that game. They're an experienced team that's got the talent and has been playing together for a long time. I don't expect the Bengals to blow them out, but losing shouldn't be an option if they're the kind of team they seem to think they are.
If they drop the Oakland game, then I'm a bit concerned about this season. If they can't prepare to deal with the wannabe upstarts like the Raiders, then I believe it's a flaw in their overall team mindset, and that they're not really much better, and perhaps even worse than they've been for the last 4 seasons. Gotta see if they still have the hunger.
