The Good:

Offense seems to be getting some rhythm.  Its still nothing to write home about, BUT it feels like they are beginning to find an identity. It may not be the identity that we all want, but you have a sense that they are getting to be on the same page.

Aaron Smith: The D-Line gave up 40 rushing yards. There was a 20 minutes stretch between the end of the second quarter and the beginning of the fourth quarter where we did not give up a first down. In the midst of it all was the churning heart and soul of our working class defense – a guy who is a big part of  the reason those two linebackers will get to go to Hawaii – a guy named Aaron Smith.  You usually have to look away from the ball to recognize how good Smith is.  Not today. Today you just had to watch it get deflected at the line of scrimmage. 3 pass defenses. Absolutely huge.

Running back by committee (or injury): We are beginning to see what I think would be really good ball distribution numbers for our running backs.  MM, GR and FWP all had touches this game. By the fourth quarter the grinding running game wore downt he Bengals.

Bruce Arians:  I can hear you all out there sputtering and chocking on your Permanti Bro’s.  “Buddha,” you say “did you not, just spend the first half of the season, disavowing your non-violent nature and calling for Bruce Arians head on a stick”. 

Perhaps, but, somewhat like Bruce Arians, I can admit when I am wrong and learn from my mistakes.  Our offense is not the greatest show on turf. It’s not the 07 Patriots. For crying out loud it’s not even the 05 Steelers, BUT its beginning to find an identity.  We may not love that identity yet, but I think that from a coaching perspective this was the best that BA did.  I really like that he is keeping Heath involved – the offense is using smart pass plays. It’s the second straight week without a turnover.  All in all kudos for a well coached game by BA.

Winning: Yes, I know, the Bengals aren’t a football team, they are a work release program for multiple offenders in Southern Ohio.  They call them the Bungles for a reason. They haven’t had a decent football team since we rolled over their chances in the 05 super bowl run. 

You know what, they are also the same team that almost beat the Giants, tied the Eagles and beat Jacksonville this season. They came in with passion and played hard in a game that could have gone their way early, but for a couple of breaks. 

But we ARE winning the easy ones this year. Remember the Jets game last year. That was the beginning of our great unraveling. Thankfully we stepped up big this time.

No Sacks: I don’t care that it’s the Bengals. I’ll take it.  

Luck: Ben should have had two or three interceptions at the beginning of the game.

Limas Sweed: Ok, I know the rook almost cost us a 10 point swing by sheer Anthony Smith like bone-headedness on special teams, but he caught two passes. I chalk it up as a win. Now is the time to start growing this young man’s confidence. We will want him around in the stretch. I like his stride and his hands have looked better. I would love to see us try some deep balls to him this season. 

The Bad:

Injuries: What the hell. When will this stop?  Still no news as of yet on FWP or Kiesel.  Looks like Tone has a concussion.

Pass Rush: Hard to gripe, but I think we were all hoping for a pad that stat sheet kind of game. Instead our pass rush yielded one sack and surprisingly little pressure. Hard to account for that considering that Bengals were using guys who play in the fourth quarter of preseason games against our best guys. 

The Verdict:

Hey what the heck, we won right? Hopefully we didn’t get too many injuries. The game showed a bit of development of  the offense. All in all its hard to complain - well not that hard we are football fans after all. I think we are learning that this team may be one of the elite teams IF it all comes together at the right time. At this point its just to hard to say if that will happen, but it sure is fun watching them grow.