Well, they won't, they can't, (but if they do they will be right back on track for 0-16).  But before I get into a gameplan for the Bengals, I want to:

Toot My Horn or Eat Some Crow:

(Last Week) Jax is off to a disappointing start and so is Indy.  I think the arrests and things going on there are taking a toll.  It is hard to pick against them because their running attack should be better and Bob Sanders is out, but when in doubt take the home team. Indy!

Crow please, deep fried! I thought all these years Indy was successful because of Pollian, Dungy, and Manning.  Who knew it was the dome!

(LW) I like McNabb and Philly but Pitt seems to have something that Dallas doesn't, and that's Defense, and that is what wins championships...I'll take Pitt.

Waiter, I'll have the crow kebab. Thanks. I did not know Pitt was competing with the Bengals to see who could get there QB killed first.

(LW) Green Bay also has Defense, and they are at home, but I'll have to go with Dallas and depend on Rodgers luck running out.

The Horn is tooted!

(LW) San Diego, is at least a good team, and their backs are against the wall, I can't see the Jets going in there and getting a victory with the Chargers season on the line.  Chargers.

Toot, Tooooot!
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I will make a couple of picks at the end of the blog but first, here are the:

'S     S   to      (The new picture set up is a pain for inserting photos).

This is a win or else your season is over game...the season is already just about over for both teams and only a sliver of hope remains for each...but lose this game and it is time to plan where you want to do some winter golfing, and your name comes up in the 0-16 discussion.  The Bengals should win this game, esp. if they can build on what they started last week. Here's how they do it:

On Offense:

Carson has a "sore elbow."  Uh, OK, I'm sure it has nothing to do with the hundreds of time this season he has been knocked to the ground.  Anyway whether it's Carson or Fitz the plan does not change.

1) Air it out! Use the pass to set up the run...again, they need to continue to develop the short to intermediate passing games. Maybe switch up some things from last week so it isn't so obvious to Cleveland's D.  Get Perry the Rock on screens and swing passes, that way he still touches the ball and gets to take his shots in more open areas. Cleveland's D is susceptible to the pass.

2) Once they establish the pass I think they can have some success on draw plays and shovel passes...then double up and fake the draw to go deep!

That's it...real simple.

On Defense (ZIMMER PLEASE READ):

The Bengals are still having a lot of trouble against the run, although they played admirably against "Earth Wind & Fire" last week, they are still giving up close to 5 yards a pop. Our D line is just awful, no run stoppage, no penetration...Jheesh! The secondary is still playing decent and I trust them more than the D line so this plan plays to that "strength." (Injuries are excuses because all teams have them).

1) D line, if you aren't going to sack the QB-PUT YOUR HANDS UP WHEN HE GETS READY TO THROW!! Who knows maybe you'll get lucky and bat a ball down, or better yet in the air then get to run your fat lard a!@#$ the other way for a pick 6.

2) Play 8 in the box again. You are going against a Bengal masher in Jamal Lewis so concentrate on stopping him.  Also the extra man can allow someone (from different areas/positions) to blitz here and there and try to sack the QB...you have to time it, don't just run into the freaking line! Wait for it, wait for it...open hole....GO!!! This would tremendously help the secondary.

3) CB's will have to play man, but could it hurt once in a while to turn around and see if the ball is coming so you can bat it down or try to intercept it! I mean really, they do allow you to knock the ball down in the NFL.

If the Bengals don't win this week I may start the "Keys to Defeat."
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In the division, I was tempted to take Baltimore over Pitt on  Monday night, but I just can't pull the trigger even though the Ravens are the #1 rated D (again) in the League. They may sack Ben 10 times, but something tells me Tomlin will have his guys ready. Monday night, home game, once again I take Pitt.

Now it's the Jets whose backs are against the wall. They get Arizona at home who by all accounts should win this game. The Jets looked terrible on Monday night, but created many of their own woes early against a desperate and good Charger team. So I'll take the Jets at home.

Have a great weekend!