| 27 December 2009
As it turned out, the Bengals could have lost and still clinched the AFCN title (due to the Steelers' win over the Ravens) but it was much sweeter for the Bengals to make their playoffs reservations following a victory.
We'll even pretend for a moment that it wasn't another terribly-called game from Cincinnati offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski. No time to be negative when we're in celebratory mode. Let's be honest: moments like these don't happen all that often for the Bengals and it's time to soak it up and enjoy it.
The Bengals are 10-5 and will probably finish 10-6 since they have to wrap up the regular season in New York next week against the Jets who need a win to get in the playoffs. If the Jets win, they are in without help from anyone else. Therefore, you know they are going to be bringing it, while the Bengals might decide to rest a few starters for the playoffs.
Someone like Carson Palmer will undoubtedly start the game against the Jets, but might he take an early seat - Peyton Manning-style - after a few series? It's a good possibility. (And it's exactly what the Bengals did in 2005 against the Chiefs in week 17 after wrapping up the AFC North title.)
Another interesting storyline is who the Bengals will face at Paul Brown Stadium in the opening round of the playoffs. It will either be the Broncos, Jets, Ravens, Steelers or Texans. All of them are 8-7 and are battling for one of the two wildcard spots.
I would love to see the Broncos as a rematch of sorts of that opening-week game where Denver won on the fluke play. I don't want to have to try and beat the Ravens or Steelers for a third time this year. So, that will definitely be something intriguing to monitor this week.
As for the win over the Chiefs, rookie third-round defensive end Michael Johnson continues to flash. He had a big sack, swatted down a pass and looks more comfortable every time he's on the field.
Props also go out to defensive tackle Tank Johnson who has played outstanding football recently, wide receiver Laveranues Coles (who I've been hard on, but stepped up and played well against KC), safety Chinedum Ndukwe and the entire offensive line.
The only bad news to come out of the Chiefs game - other than the Bengals once again playing down to their competition - was the injury to rookie linebacker Rey Maualuga. He is out for the rest of the year with a broken ankle.
The Bengals have already been bit harder than most teams by the injury bug this year and now another starter is out. Just what the team needed with the playoffs on the horizon.
Oh well, put it on our tab, I guess. That's how it feels at this point.
So, does the team replace him with Rashad Jeanty at the strong-side linebacker spot? Or does backup weak-side ‘backer Brandon Johnson move to SAM? Johnson started when Keith Rivers was injured (earlier this year and last year) and was very solid. But the Bengals will most-likely go with Jeanty since he knows the position the best and was a starter before Maualuga arrived.
Either way, just a tough blow because you need guys like Maualuga to go deep in the playoffs. But at least the Bengals were able to clinch the AFC North title. That's what this season will be remembered best for unless the Bengals go on some incredible postseason run.
And an extra home game means more money for Mike Brown, and we all know he will turn that around and spend it on free agents this offseason. Ha, I know, you needed a good laugh.
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