12-09-2018, 02:57 PM
(12-09-2018, 02:49 PM)Fan_in_Kettering Wrote: It's true.
Let's look at three famous catastrophes in Cincinnati Bengals history.
January 2006: Following a stellar 11-5 season, the Bengals faced the Steelers in the playoffs. Carson Palmer and Chris Henry go down on the same play, Chad Johnson loses control at half time and take a swing at then-wide receivers coach Hue Jackson, Marvin Lewis loses control of the team, and the Bengals implode in the second half. It would be four years before the Bengals made the playoffs again.
January 2016: Despite missing Andy Dalton due to injury, the Bengals finished 12-4 and led the Steelers with minutes to go in another playoff game. Jeremy Hill fumbles, Adam Jones and Vontaze Burfict commit costly personal fouls, and once again Marvin loses control of the team. The Bengals have yet to return to the playoffs.
October 2018: Cincinnati is sporting a respectable 4-1 record and Andy Dalton leads the Bengals to a late fourth quarter lead against the Steelers. Things were looking good. Unfortunately the defense brain farts and allows the Steelers to march down the field and take the lead for good. When Pittsburgh went for a two point conversion, Teryl Austin called a defensive play at the goal line which the Bengals had never practiced. The Steelers successfully converted and won. The Bengals have won just one game since that abysmal performance against the Steelers and that was a narrow win over Tampa Bay.
Now I don't pretend to know why this happens. Pittsburgh is just another NFL team but its obvious Cincinnati is afraid to play them. I don't get it. For some reason losing to the Steelers in critical games creates a lasting negative effect for the Bengals.
Or maybe, just maybe, Marvin Lewis wears a Steelers jersey to bed at night.
I don't think I would go so far as to say "afraid" but I do think there is a very real mental hurdle that exists when they plays the Steelers, especially at home. It's always difficult to watch it unfold during these games because it's as if the Bengals have a predetermined expectation of calamity.
