Tragedy Takes a Week Off - Good Guys Win 31-16

Well, it was nice, I'll have to admit that. It was nice not having my Sunday ruined by a Cincinnati loss yesterday, but the naysayer in me can't entirely appreciate this victory. For one, the Ravens continued their streak of good football by getting the better of the Atlanta Falcons. Second, while the Bengals won decidedly in the points department, they also gave up an exorbitant amount of yards.


Let's just skip to the Good / Bad, shall we?


GOOD SHIT

• Two weeks ago, I told Chad to shut his trap until he put up big numbers two weeks in a row. Mr. Johnson, you may now officially continue flapping your gums. In these two weeks, Chad's accumulated 450 yards and five touchdowns. Yes. That's right. In two weeks. "H0ly shit" doesn't even begin to cover it. Welcome back, 85.


• On that same side of the coin, Carson's been much better. He improved a bit last week against the stupid Chargers, and yesterday he really delivered. Someone smarter than me pointed out that he didn't really spread the ball around too much, but who cares? If 85 can get open, you throw him the ball. I think the best sign we have that the offense is turning / turned around is the re-emergence of the Carson-Chad tandem, one of the best in the game.


• As my main man Kirkendall pointed out, the offensive line played a hell of a game yesterday, giving Carson enough time to wreak havoc on the Saints' secondary. Similarly, the defensive line played well also, good enough to contain Bush and McAllister. Kudos, gentlemen.


• Jonathan Joseph played well in the absence of Deltha O'Neal. You know I love Deltha, and JJ has a while to go before he's a legitimate NFL calibre CB, but he's making some strides.


• How about those white defensive backs! KAESVIHARN! KILMER! IT'S THE CINCINNATI BENGALS ON CBS! (apologies to Mr. Simmons for stealing his shtick).


• The dumb Colts lost! There is a god, and he is not a Peyton Manning fan.

BAD NEWS

• Yeah, yeah. We won the game. But that doesn't mean we can just write off yesterday's game in the "W" column and not think about it again. Primarily because . . .


• Drew Brees had Five. Hundred. Yards. Passing. Seriously.


• The quarterback sneak call in the redzone -- yikes. Alright, I know that a lot of the game of football is keeping your opponent guessing, but c'mon, gang. The only thing the Saints' were guessing after that SNAFU was whether or not the Bengals were trying to throw the game. I'll take Sam Adams against Carson Palmer in a foot race any day of the week. In fact, if they had put Sam Adams in at QB for this play, I would've been ok with the whole thing. Think how awesome it would be to see his 350+ lb. ass behind center. Comedy GOLD.


• Our defense just isn't getting it done this year. This was a very 2005 game for the Bengals. A lousy defense held up with an explosive offense. Fun to watch, but is it enough to a) make it to the playoffs and b) make it to the SB?

We shall see. In the mean time, I'm heading to Cincinnati for the holiday. I'll be staking out O'Bryon's for my Sunday fun. Anyone who correctly recognizes me at the bar gets a free beer from WhoDave.

Who DEY?