10-08-2015, 08:13 PM
Damn, is this team freaking good. I mean really, really good. Like, heads and shoulders better than almost every other team (save a few) good.
I'm not on here (nor was on old JN) much during season. But I wanted to take a sec to offer up some props for these guys. As much time as I take making Giggles and Noodles jokes, I figured I could take a few minutes to sing their praises.
I'm not sure I've seen a Bengals team this good in a long, long time. Probably since 1988-89. As good as the 2005 team was, games like that season's loss against the Colts, or the early loss to the Steelers, led me to believe that, while good, they weren't elite. Even these last four years, again, while good, I've never gotten the impression this was one of the league's best. Good, not great. Great was reserved for the Patriots, Broncos, Seahawks recently. A team like Green Bay struck me as a cut above.
Not any more. This team as is good as anyone. There is not a single team that actually scares me in a head to head matchup. Sure, the Patriots are probably the odds on favorite. But I don't think they're better than us. Top to bottom this is a fantastic roster. And if we actually get a healthy Burfict, along with a return to form, then that's a scary thought.
I think you're finally seeing how a decent to good team develops when their QB play goes from leaving much to be desired to above average. Couple that with health and player development, I think you're seeing a much different caliber of Cincinnati Bengals in 2015 than 2011-2014.
There is no doubt this team, right now, a true contender. I know it's early but they really couldn't look a lot better. They absolutely manhandled a good Kansas City and San Diego team. They destroyed a Raiders team who was 2 seconds and a 49 yard field goal away from being 3-1. They sacked up and came back to beat the Ravens at their place.
I've long told myself I won't let this team get my hopes up again. Not until they prove it. I've been burned too many times. Well, there are slowly winning me over and making me buy in early again.
Great start to the season, guys!
I'm not on here (nor was on old JN) much during season. But I wanted to take a sec to offer up some props for these guys. As much time as I take making Giggles and Noodles jokes, I figured I could take a few minutes to sing their praises.
I'm not sure I've seen a Bengals team this good in a long, long time. Probably since 1988-89. As good as the 2005 team was, games like that season's loss against the Colts, or the early loss to the Steelers, led me to believe that, while good, they weren't elite. Even these last four years, again, while good, I've never gotten the impression this was one of the league's best. Good, not great. Great was reserved for the Patriots, Broncos, Seahawks recently. A team like Green Bay struck me as a cut above.
Not any more. This team as is good as anyone. There is not a single team that actually scares me in a head to head matchup. Sure, the Patriots are probably the odds on favorite. But I don't think they're better than us. Top to bottom this is a fantastic roster. And if we actually get a healthy Burfict, along with a return to form, then that's a scary thought.
I think you're finally seeing how a decent to good team develops when their QB play goes from leaving much to be desired to above average. Couple that with health and player development, I think you're seeing a much different caliber of Cincinnati Bengals in 2015 than 2011-2014.
There is no doubt this team, right now, a true contender. I know it's early but they really couldn't look a lot better. They absolutely manhandled a good Kansas City and San Diego team. They destroyed a Raiders team who was 2 seconds and a 49 yard field goal away from being 3-1. They sacked up and came back to beat the Ravens at their place.
I've long told myself I won't let this team get my hopes up again. Not until they prove it. I've been burned too many times. Well, there are slowly winning me over and making me buy in early again.
Great start to the season, guys!
