FEW MO' THINGS, 11/2/12
I miss summer. This makes me miss it more.
If it feels like the Bengals last played a game months ago, it feels like they last won one decades ago.
After the Bengals beat the Jaguars on September 30th, we were talking about our legit hopes for this team starting 5-1. We were going on and on about the creative offensive approach and how Andy Dalton looked to be making the leap. We were also prepping for a Reds playoff run, with our biggest conundrum being what opponent would be most fun to watch the Reds kick the hell out of in the Division Series. And I was wondering if UC has a realistic chance to win out through October.
I do miss summer. I think I miss September 30th more.
Five weeks later, we're still sorting through the rubble of the Reds' collapse while listening to people continue to come unglued at the prospect of them retaining their manager. UC's season has completely lost momentum. And the Bengals almost seem like an afterthought as they enter a potentially season-defining game.
A win on Sunday could change that, at least a little.
I don't think the Bengals are making the playoffs regardless of what happens Sunday, but if they lose against Denver, there's no chance this team is playing in January.
Three home losses in four games won't cut it. Five conference losses in seven games won't cut it. A 3-5 record in a very average yet crowded AFC won't cut it. And say what you want about how hit or miss the remaining opponents are, if nine wins is what's required to make the playoffs (not a guarantee, BTW), these guys simply aren't going 6-2 in their final eight.
As a fan, I hate the prospect of the season effectively ending on Sunday. As I talk show host, I dread it.
Getting relevant Bengals conversation that goes beyond the typical topics - the inevitable blame-game, boycotting PBS, firing the coach, saying mean things about the owner, and draft prospects of players that will probably never play for the Bengals - has been hard enough. The Reds, understandably, have been at or near the top of everyone's mind, but getting into the mechanics of individual games and matchups and actually talking about the makeup of the team has been a little bit of a chore, and becomes even more so if the second half of the season sets up as a mere formality.
I'd rather not talk about the offseason during the season.
Mo Egger, Bengals Fan badly wants them to win on Sunday.
Mo Egger, Mediocre Talk Show Host, badly needs them to win on Sunday.
Both are going to be disappointed.
Bengals v. Broncos
So that's what winning a playoff game feels like.
There have been plenty of Sundays where I went into the game thinking the Bengals had zero chance of winning - most of them in 2010, all of them in 2008, many of them in 2007, and pretty all of them from 1991 through 2002 - but this is the first big game in a very long time where I give them no chance.
The bigger games of 2011 and 2009, and the more important games of the '03-'06 era, all seemed at least somewhat winnable. Yes, I usually ended up either disappointed or angry, but heading into the games with the most riding on them against better teams, you could at least convince me that the Bengals had something going for them that might possibly swing the game in their favor.
Not this week.
Not with Andy Dalton flat-out refusing to throw the ball beyond four yards, not with such an uninspiring running game, and not with so few consistency playmaking threats on the offense.
And not with Peyton Manning providing the opposition. The Bronco offense from Denver's last six quarters - one that's balanced run and pass - isn't being stopped, at least not by this defense.
Dre Kirkpatrick might help, but not all that much. The bye week might have helped the defense, but probably not all that much. And Rey Maualuga might respond to Marvin's pleas to be more of something he isn't, but if Peyton Manning can teach a Master's course in making adjustments before the snap, Rey's still taking remedial classes.
I've seen enough of the NFL this season to know that very little translates from one week 'til the next, but everything I've seen from the Broncos leading up to this game suggests they'll play well on Sunday.
Nothing I've seen from the Bengals suggests otherwise.
For more, including a prediction on the score, here's Meat and I....
I'm a solid 52-67 this season. Primed for a second half turnaround....Cleveland (+3.5) probably won't win the game, but they'll give Baltimore fits. The Browns will win some games in the last two months....Remember when the Cardinals were 4-0? The Packers are loading up on wins against some of the NFL's dregs. They're not fooling me. Yet. Green Bay (-10.5) large over Arizona....If the Bears go deep into the postseason, prepare for more "Jay Cutler is a good guy now" stories than we saw "Ben Roethlisberger redemption" stories heading into the '10 Super Bowl. Chicago (-3.5) moves to 7-1 with an easy win over Tennessee....Don't care who plays QB, I like the Dolphins' defense. Miami (-2.5) beats Indy....There was a time when I was excited to watch RGIII v. Cam Newtwon. This is not that time. Washington (-3.5) by about a TD over Carolina....To end a silly debate: The Jacksonville Jaguars would kill the Alabama Crimson Tide. It wouldn't be close. However, they don't stand a chance against the Detroit Lions. (-3.5) It won't be close either....Remember when Mario Williams going to the Bills was supposed to be a big deal? Houston (10.5) by a bunch over Buffalo....The Bucs, all of a sudden, can score. Tampa Bay (+1.5) gets past Oakland....The Seahawks have already won two games they shouldn't have. They'll make it three on Sunday, but not by four and a half points. I say they steal it late. Seattle wins. Minnesota (+4.5) covers....Interesting game in Jersey, a battle of two teams each with reasons to not be focused. I like the Giants (-3.5) at home over Pittsburgh....Where's Mercury Morris? The Falcons are about to go 8-0, but Dallas (+4.5) makes things tough for Atlanta....I'm less tired of hearing about Barack and Mitt than I am the Saints and Eagles. Philly (+3.5) wins over New Orleans.
Here's some more Bengals/Broncos analysis....
The background music used in the video you just watched is terrifying. The music here isn't much better, but the video is....
Cincinnati v. Syracuse
Sure yeah, whatever.
Another game where UC has the disadvantage behind center. But this time, the Bearcats win. They still run it well, they still have a pretty good defense, even without Walter Stewart, and this week they take advantage of Munchie's mobility to the point that it will offset an inevitable throw to the other team. I feel shaky about this, but I'm taking the good guys nonetheless. Bearcats 24 Orange 23
Ohio State v. Illinois
A Football Life on NFL Network is one of the best regular sports-themed series on TV, and one of a few things I DVR every week. This week's installment on Chris Spielman was the best one yet. Watch it in its entirety here....
You need a tissue now, don't you?
Buckeyes 44 Illini 7
Kentucky v. Vanderbilt
Let's be real, there's only one game in the SEC this week. Crimson Tide 21 Tigers 9
Miami v. Buffalo
The coolest part of my week was after participating in the Coaches vs. Cancer Season Tipoff Breakfast earlier this week was being approached by Charlie Cole's, being told that he listens to our show all the time, then talking about the Reds with him. There was something incredibly cool about that, and little did he know that I was tempted to ask him to blow off the rest of his day to talk college basketball and tell me stories. There are times when this job is very cool, and the moment when a guy like Charlie Coles tells you he listens to you is one of them.
I repeat what I said when Charlie retired: Someone needs to write a book with him, about both basketball and life.
Miami won't need Frank Solich's crappy clock management this week. RedHawks 27 Bulls 14
Enjoy your weekend, back at it on Monday afternoon on ESPN1530. Enjoy a look at every NBA fan in every NBA city.
