This will be an abbreviated post (I've said that before)...as I mentioned earlier this week I am in the home/agency office and their computer systems limit my blogability...i.e. no uploading new pics etc.  Also I have an interview this afternoon and I have to do some prep...but, luckily I've got my priorities together and will fulfill by blog duties cause I know at least a couple of you enjoy the keys (even though they are really the same from week to week).  I will also make a few picks as well, so vamanos!!

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This week is a colossal matchup between the #2 Bengals and the #6 Texans in the "Powerless Rankings."  This should be an epic struggle for the Bengals, but I do believe they are up to the task for several reasons (all of which could not be listed):

--It is a road game (and those are hard to win in the NFL).
--The Texans have won 2 straight after starting 0-4
--The Texans offense is good, but more importantly, their RB's are averaging about 4.7 yards per carry.

Again, this will be a huuuuge challenge for the Bengals, one which if they can pull in a defeat, they would be at the precipice of 0-14 (see my blurb on the 6 games after this one below). As long as they continue to do what they've done thus far this season, I think they will be all right!

On Offense:

1) The Bengals should air it out...just drop Fitzy (I prefer Fitz but for the "Keys to Defeat" it's Fitzy damnit!) back 7-10 steps and let him air it out all day long.

2) The O line has to stay consistent and as I say every week continue to shed their blocks.  

3) Be conservative as far as the scoring and play to not lose. If it's 4th & 3 from the Texan 36, attempt the field goal. If it's 4th & goal from the 4, kick the field goal. If it's 4th &2 in Texan territory, punt the ball through the end zone. If Chatman gets the chance to fair catch the ball inside the 10, do it!

On Defense:

1) Play off the Texan WRs and give them some cushion...(Serious note: While they do give up the 6th fewest pass yards a game in the League, that is simply because teams have been ahead in 26 of the 28 quarters they've played and therefore don't need to throw the rock).

2) The D line has to continue to stay on their blockers...this key will never change...they have done a helluva job so far this season.

3) Do not put an extra man down in the box to focus on the running game.

Again, this will be the stiffest test for the Bengals in the season thus far, so they have to focus because the road gets easier for the next six games...The Bengals should not look ahead but as a fan I can...and if they can pull this game in against Houston, the next 7 weeks look like this: Jax, Philly, at Pitt, B-More, at Indy, Wash...if they can go 0-8, they can coast into 0-14!!
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   Picks: 

(There are just some scrumptious matchups this week, so I picked an extra one! and a crappy one in the hopes my pick can karmically and comically come true!)

Arizona @ Carolina - Who'd a thunk it but this is a marquee NFC matchup. Win or lose this week Arizona just about has the NFC West locked up and they look to break their playoff snide as division champs! But that said, Carolina is a better team, in a much better division, playing at home...Carolina.

Tampa Bay @ Dallas - I picked against Tampa a couple weeks ago, and they made me pay severely...all my instincts tell me I should pick the Bucs against a struggling Cowboy team.  So for that reason I am picking the Boys. They are at home, Johnson is experienced, they can lean on the running game, and they face having to go to NY to play the G-Men next week, so this is a must win that they'll win...Dallas

Atlanta @ Philly - Philly is a cellar dweller in the almighty NFC East at 3-3 while Atlanta is a pleasant surprise this season at 4-2. A couple weeks ago they got a good road victory against a good Packer team, then they completely lucked out against the Bears and really should be 3-3...this week in Philly their luck runs out. Look for a huge game (of course) from McNabb (amazing how he makes it happen with virtual no-name receivers, isn't it "Doo Doo" Brown?) E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles!

NY Football Giants @ Pitt - Everyone is calling this the SB preview, if their is one thing I know is when people start talking this early about teams in the SB, it is a curse to those teams...so right now I guarantee niether of these teams make the big game...but it is a helluva matchup this week. This game comes down to the trenches and the Giants D line dominating the Pitt O line...G-Men.

Bonus: Indy @ Tennessee - I couldn't pass up the glory of potentially picking this game right.  Perennial division winner Indy is on the ropes playing against a formidable Titans team who is the last remaining bastion of perfection in the league...Indy is desperate, and this season they are playing better on the road than at the new home field.  The Titans have to lose some time. Look for Indy to upset the Titans in Music City. Indy.

Bonus bonus: Washington @ Detroit - I am tired of the Bengals being disrespected by the national media, this a spotlight the Bengals should have all to themselves...upset alert in Motown...Detroit
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Hopefully, I'll be at an assignment next week so I can get back to some serious bloggin and uploading of some pics and stuff...Next week in addition to "Eatin Crow and Tootin Horn" I have a movie to recommend, and I've got a funny/creepy story or rather picture about a store around my way and their support for a certain political candidate...

So until next week "my friends..." Mike Brown sucks!

   Thoughts:

I know it is highly unlikely the Bengals complete their quest for the "(im)Perfect" season, but I can dream, right?  And as long their is a huge donut hole in the W column, then by golly, that dream is still alive...so don't come tellin me, "Rashied, at some point as sorry as this team is, they will stumble into a win...," just keep your negative thinking to yourself!

It looks like Zim got my open letter.

The Bengals showed up big time against the Steelers. I was a little worried about the 1st half (where with an admirable performance it was still close), but they pulled through in the end and proved they still have a strong desire to (reverse) run the table.  Leon Hall duly noted, "If we put our heads down and go through the motions, we'll be 0-16 before you know it." Well let's hope he's right because there is a #1 draft pick with the Bengals name on it that Mike Brown has to screw up. The competition is tight this year in the League as noted by Chris in Cambridge in his "Race for # 1" series.

Next up for the Bengals are the Texans of Houston, in what will be the Bengals toughest challenge to date. This is a huge game that marks the halfway point to the season...Check back later in the week for the breakdown and the "Keys to Defeat" for the Bengals.
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Non-Partisan Political Blurb (Popular Vote vs. Electoral Vote):

The Popular Vote (or a hybrid of the popular and electoral vote proposed below) should replace the current Electoral Vote, which would take an amendment to the Constitution so good luck with that. 

Background:  Established at the Constitutional Convention in 1787, the idea behind the electoral vote was that because the people selected the Congress with the popular vote, the executive branch should be elected by the legislature.  When the dust settled, it was agreed that the President would be elected by a small group of people selected in each state that equals the number of Congress folks in each of those states. Although the "electoral college" (coined in 1845) can vote howsoever they please, it has been their tradition that they follow the will of the people in each state without exception.

My whole thing is with the development of fierce partisan politics, most states lean towards either of the two major parties, discounting many opposition votes within such states. I think it absurd that certain states go the same way every election (leaning to both sides of the aisle) making only a handful of "swing" states meaningful.  So, the candidates will only focus on those "swing" states and not campaign for votes in NY or CA because they know they are "blue" and in TN or GA because they are "red." It nullifies votes in those states that would go to the opposition of the normal "tendency" of the state in its totality.  I have 2 potential solutions to what I think is a bastardization of a true democracy by "we the people":

1) Go with the popular vote.

2) Hybrid of popular and electoral vote where you breakdown the electoral votes within the states so they are proportional to the popular vote in each state, i.e. Wisconson has 10 electoral votes, if 40% vote for the Republican candidate, that candidate should get 4 electoral votes.

I realize that nothing man-made is ever perfect, but the current practice of electoral voting is unfair to millions of voters in states that have been clearly defined as leaning to one political party over another. OK, back to sports...
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Tootin the Horn (Loudly!) and Eatin (a lil bit o') Crow:

(Last Week) I picked San Diego to march into Buffalo and with all their "paper talent" beat the Bills who clearly were playing over their heads...well, it looks like the Bolts are overrated while Buffalo convinced me they were the real deal.

Garcon, I'll have my Crow medium-rare please.

(LW) I predicted Carolina would get back on track hosting their division rival Saints...Carolina was clearly playing pissed because they ransacked the Saints.

Tooooooooooooooot!!!

(LW) I picked Da Bears in what I called "a battle for first place." It was a battle, but I didn't think it would be a shootout, but Da Bears did come out on top...

Toot toot, and beep beep!

(LW) I prophetically proclaimed that Denver "got lucky a couple games and are not quite as good as their record would indicate..."  I wrongly thought the Broncos O would be a challenge to that aging Pats D.  All this equaled to was a Costco-like can of whupp**** being opened up by the Pats...by the way guys you can put the can away now...jheesh.

Choo, chooooooooooo! (More of a train whistle, but you get the point)

I will eat a little more crow here now that the World Series is set, the Dodgers disappointed me, but I should have known better because the West was the weakest link in the NL this season. But, I am also obliged to toot my horn in a big way for predicting the AL playoffs to a tee, even calling the Rays victory over Boston in 7!!!!!! Just to reiterate, as I said before, Tampa (regardless of who the NL sends out there) is a team of destiny and will win the World Series, I think in a pretty handy fashion.
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Finally, the      Rankings:

1. Detroit (seems to have a stranglehold on this spot)
2. Cincinnati
3. Kansas City
4. Seattle
5. Oakland

Honorable mention: 6. Houston (who will meet the Bengals on Sunday in a showdown of epic proportions that may shake the foundations of the Power(less) Rankings. 7. San Francisco (who I think will eventually fall out of the bottom 10 in the league).
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I am in my employer's/agency's office, awaiting my next assignment and I can't listen to the 1530 Homer here, which I am having witdrawl symptons from...Hopefully I get something soon, so I can listen while I work.  A positive of all this is my "work" hours are now 10 am to 3:30 pm for which I am still paid for 8 hours, so that is a nice trade-off.

Later in the week, an all-important Bengals "Keys to Defeat" as they face their biggest threat to their run at history so far this season...

But first an open letter to Coach Zimmer and the Defense:

Dear, Mr. Zimmer,
Please have your guys dial it down a notch or two.  The Defense is not showing up and certainly not playing its part in the Bengals historic 2008 run.  This is simply not the type of effort that the fans expect or that this football team needs right now.  Please try to be more like the offense and hold up your end of the bargain.

Thank you,
Rashied

   This guy is trying to ruin our (reverse) running of the table!  
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(Is there still anybody in Bengal Nation not on board with the historic drive to "(im)Perfection"?  If not, what are you waiting for, an invitation from Mr. Brown? What do you want to see 6 wins, 4 wins, 3 wins, 2 wins...that does not guarantee the Bengals the 1st pick of the draft, when you've got teams like the Lions, Rams, and Chiefs vying for that coveted spot. 2 wins may not get 'er done this season...plus we been there done that.  I want to see some history for my money.)
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And now on to the:

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Now this week should be an easy one, but you know what they say about the NFL:

   "Any Given Sunday"  So the Bengals have to buck up and handle business and play like they need this!

On Offense:

1) The offense has been flawful this season, and now with Fitz making the start at QB for the forseeable future...as a unit, they seem ready to coast the rest of the way with one foot out the door of PBS.

2) Don't try anything new, like giving Watson the ball or shuffling the line a bit, or playing any of the young receivers.

3) Brat should stick close to his playbook, it has been getting the job done all season.

4) O line should continue to shed their blocks.

5) Fitz should not take any shots downfield, esp. don't look Ocho Cinco's way in the first half, then he will be right where the Bengals need him to be in the second half. 

On Defense:

1) I am apalled at the play of the secondary, honestly, can't our CB's and Safeties give a more worthy effort? Is Jackson back in the lineup this week?  Can we get Deltha back? With the "pressure" the D line puts on opposing QB's the secondary should be much more in line with the goals of this entire team.

Fellas, you're either a part of the problem, or part of the solution...now, give some cushion and play with your backs to Big Ben and don't bat down any passes. Hopefully we can see some improvement with this bunch on Sunday.

2) I am proud of the effort the D line is giving this season. They must continue to stay on their blockers, as they've done all year long.

3) Do not play 8 in the box.

4) Play a vanilla 4-3, the Bengals shouldn't dare try to confuse them with any blitzes off the corner or any crazy exotic stunts and such.
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Chad had this to say this week:

"For us, we have to finish. You know?" -Ocho Cinco-

Darn tootin Mr. Now get out there and finsih what you guys started!!!!!
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No Pressure Guys, Really:

The 2 times the Red Sox have won the World Series in the past 4 years they have come back from down 3-0 and 3-1 in the LCS...so uuuuuuuuuummm...Rays you need to close this thing out in Game 6 or kiss your magical season (and more importatnly my WS winner pick) goodbye!!!!   Yeah, but uuuhhh, no pressure...
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All Those in Favor: Say "I"

Marvin Lewis' approval rating hovers around 12% (he does beat Congress' approval ratings (10%), but that is not saying much.  I wonder what Mike Brown's approval rating may be...now that would be single digit for sure).  Half of Lewis' 12% approval comes from the likes of:

Final
Pro's vs. Joe's
PleasantvillePantsAroundAnklesGuy
Chris Parker
JustTheFactsJack
mental
The Realist
etc.

Since sometimes these guys all appear to be the same I wonder if ACORN isn't behind registering them for the approval poll.
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Some NFL Picks

San Diego @ Buffalo - Buffalo has been playing a little bit over their heads this season...not to say they are not a good team cause I think they are, but San Diego is better and goes on the road to win a tough one...Why do I love the road team so much? Gimmie the SuperChargers

New Orleans @ Carolina - In this NFC South showdown, Carolina is still hopping mad over the shelacking they got in Tampa...I still can't believe it...I say they take it to the Saints at home this week...Panthers

Minnesota @ Chicago - 2 NFC North teams at 3-3 duke it out at Soldier Field...this is a battle for first place...I think Chicago has to come out and play intense cause I know Lovie laid into them after the squibb incedent (even though that's his call)...gimmie the home team, gimmie Da Bears

Denver @ New England - Denver got lucky a couple games and are not quite as good as their record would indicate...their offense will challenge the Pats again D.  But the Broncos aren't known for their "shutdown" D either.  I don't know if the Pats can slow Denver down...when in doubt, go with the HOME  team (in caps) PATS
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Today is my last day at the assignment I've been at for the past 7 months, so they are coming to take my computer...wait guys, wait, let me finish this blog!!! stop don't touch that cord, stop, not the con

What am I missing? (Other than the obvious fact I root for an arse-backwards organization). Why is this guy always overlooked by this organization and the town:

   Kenny Watson

I am not feelin' the way everybody overlooks Kenny Watson.  Let's see, this season Watson has 7 carries for 32 yards, which is a 4.6 yards per carry.  For those who argue somehow that this is garbage time yards...let's look at the fact that for his 7 year career in the league he averages 4.6 yards per carry. But, Marvin looks at him and says, you know what, Kenny looks good so I'll bench him.

When asked about Kenny at the Monday presser Lewis said, "I thought Kenny had a good week of practice. You know, he practiced a week ago Friday and this week, so we've got to look at everything. I guess as I'm saying, I'm not ruling anybody out."  This implies that prior to last week Kenny was ruled out, and by action Kenny has been ruled out this entire season...Why is that? I won't run it down all over again, but I made the same case over a month ago in this blog entry:

The Case of the Missing RB

Again, I'm not saying he has to carry the whole load but he can help out with 10-15 carries a game...he has only fumbled 6 times in 350 carries...Benson brings what to the table again?
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   How bad is the Bengals medical staff that Palmer elected to go visit a NY Mets team doctor...(I think Richie Braham, Levi, and a few others would say) pathetic
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Whenever I run into acquaintances and bretheren of other NFL teams, they always ask me, "hey, what's up with the Bengals?"  To which I respond, "Do you have a couch and maybe 2 hours?"  How do you tell them that we are now seeing the Bengalization of Marvin Lewis and the rest of the team remaining from the 05 Division Champs? People will try to say this and that about the O line and I'll say no it's deeper than just the O line.

How do I tell them that the Bengals have the slightest scouting department in the NFL? How do I tell them the skimpy "scouting" department they have is a horrible judge of talent and character?  How do I tell them that the owner is a cheap**** who refuses to hire a GM? How can I explain that the son of the founder of the franchise seems to be "not up to the task" of running an NFL franchise but refuses to hand over the reigns to "football" people because of what can only be some deep insecurity that has him in self denial?  How do I tell them the uniforms suck and need to be simplified to the pre-stripes level?  How do I tell them that there are guys on the team who are about themselves and their contracts before winning? (and not just 85).

How can I tell them, that as fans we are used to this crap and anybody who gets upset is told to accept it cause there is nothing they can do about it? (which by the way is heresy in other NFL cities and fan bases).  How can I tell them, the coach checked out after a week one disappointment, and so did some of the players, and the only reason they have competed at all is because of some of the young blood who will be Bengalized soon enough (as Leon Hall learned a few weeks ago when he said, "It's like the same thing over and over again." or something to that effect)?
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I recently found a blog entry by Mary Kay of old Bengal glory featuring Father Brown himself. Check it out.
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I was really hoping the Bengals would implode by now, thus further solidifying their drive to "(im)Perfection." But it looks like the Boys may beat them to the punch:

http://www.nfl.com/news/story?id=09000d5d80ba4088&template=without-video&confirm=true

Romo out, Newman out, TO on the brink of selfish destruction, and now Pacman out...I commented on somebody's blog that Goodell was going to bring the hammer down hard, it had been a while and I know he was getting antsy...
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Eating Crow and Tooting the Horn:

I am encouraged by this week, even though I only went 2-2, it is a 2 game improvement over my 0-4 week a couple weeks ago.

(Last Week) I picked Chicago over Atlanta...I hate the squibber, why not kick the damn ball off? why must you kick short and give them field position where they can take a shot..."LOVIE!" -Thurston Howell, III-

Stewed Crow please.

(LW) I picked Jax over Denver, then changed it to Denver, then changed it back to Jax...I had lost with Jax 2 times before but I realized Denver doesn't play D and they got lucky more than once this season and are not as good as their record. Jax had to break thru eventually and they finally did.

Toot! Toot!

(LW) I picked Carolina over Tampa and Tampa just plainly clobbered them...unreal, I knew Tampa was playing well but Steve Smith was back, Carolina had the shut down D etc. etc. etc.

Waiter! Crow fricassee.

(LW) I picked Indy over B-more and this was not an easy decision, I thought this was a good potential upset with Indy playing so poorly at home this season and the Edgar Allen Poes defensive prowess, but alas, Indy finally woke up and realized an NFL season was in progress:

Tooooooooooooooooooooot!
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   Rankings:

1. Detroit
2. Cincinnati
3. St. Louis
4. Kansas City
5. Oakland

Notes: Houston has exited the top 5 with a valiant effort on Sunday, but they are still looming sitting at #7.  Detroit and the Bengals jumped the Rams, who are still terrible but they got a win at least. The Seahawks are making a hard push to make it and currently sit at #6.
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Now is not the time for the Bengals to be complacent! They have got to take it to the next level against the Steelers...one week at a time, one week at a time, and they can get the job done.  Look out for the Bengals "Keys to Defeat" later this week.

Peace!

The Bengals have a tough chore in front of them this Sunday as they make an encore in the New Jersey Meadowlands to face the New York Jets.  The problem with the Jets is they are an enigma wrapped inside a mystery, so we don't know which team will show up.  They are 2-2, but coming off a bye week, rested, and an offensive breakthrough scoring 56 against Arizona (and scoring 85 in their last 2 games).  So the Bengals should be up to the task.

The Bengals have a couple things going for them:  1)they have the "Master of Adjustment," Marvin Lewis who said, "We've taken some lumps this year, and that doesn't change how I approach what I do."  Uuuhh, Ok, Marv.  2) Also, Dexter Jackson may see some playing time.  3) Finally, the Bengals are notorious this season for playing below their potential after playing NFC East opponents...so with that they've got a helluva shot to continue their drive to "(im)Perfection."  It is important they not look past the Jets and focus on the Steelers, remember, one week at a time fellas, one week at a time.  So with that here are your:

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On Offense:

1) Establish the Run...give the rock to Perry and Benson no matter what.  The Jets have a superb run D, allowing about 76 yards a game, so attack their strength.

2) Go deep on the Jets with a limited aerial attack.  Forget about that dink and dunk stuff underneath, take an occasional shot down field, especially on 3^rd down. 

3) Go with the compact offense...run a lot of double TE sets, go 2 WRs, 2RBs etc. 

On Defense:

1) Rush 4 (consistently), don't mix in any blitzes, play it safe, they have a lot to lose if they start gambling.  D Line has to maintain the pressure they've been getting all season.

2) Play a conservative zone with the traditional Bengal secondary "Back to the Quarterback" technique.

3) Play 8 in the box.

4) Start Dexter Jackson.
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 MMA is not so pure after all (link to story here)?

   Petruzelli (Silverback) told a confernce call after the "fight" with Ferguson (Slice) that basically the promoters prompted him to keep the fight "off the mat" where the more experienced fighter (Silverback of course) had a clear advantage.  Over the past few years it has been demonstrated that MMA is a discipline that takes a lot of hard work, and is not comprised of a bunch of bar room brawlers.  But Elite XC and CBS bet the house on just this type of dude because he could get the "eyeballs."  Sports is about entertainment to be sure, but if you don't have the skills...back away from the Octagon of your chosen sport.  Thanks...shame on the promoters because they gave a black eye to MMA.

Full Disclosure:  For the record I am a fan of the "sweet science."
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   Picks:

I've got to get back on track, the baseball playoffs will be over soon and I won't have anything to lean on if I pick poorly so here they go (Disclaimer: I know none of you are foolish enough to take these picks to the bank, but because we live in such a litigious society, I have to put this disclaimer):

Chicago @ Atlanta - I picked against Chicago last week on the road, but that was against dysfunctional Detroit (who I thought would play better without the baggage of Millen at Ford field). I am tempted to pick them this week, on the road, in the A-T-L, and I am. Chicago's D is playing pretty well and Orton is coming off a career game, so maybe he wants to lock up a job permanently (I mean beyond this season).  Atlanta is 2^nd in the league in rushing but they go as the ground game goes because there young QB is still learning.  Atlanta is making great progress, but not enough to beat ...Da Bears!

Jacksonville @ Denver - Well, I've picked Jax a couple times this season and have been disappointed as many times...so I am picking them again, against the AFC West leader, on the road, because even though they don't seem to be the Jax of old, they need this win and are still a tough, physical team...which is what you need to be to win on the road.  Plus, For at least 2 games, Denver was extremely lucky and are not as good as their 4-1 record indicate. This week Jax breaks through...Gimmie Jax (again)

Note: Dangit! 2 games and 2 road teams picked thus far...this does not bode well but I stand by my picks so far.

Carolina @ Tampa Bay - OK, Carolina looks like a top 5 NFL team, but I just can't pick another road team...This is a battle for supremacy in the NFC South. Division game, throw records out the window.  Carolina's D is ridiculous. This is a tough pick. They both are undefeated at home, but on paper Carolina wins, but that's why they play the games, I've gotta take a home team, can not pick 3 road teams...I'm takin' Carolina and their D and Steve Smith is back...Carolina

Baltimore @ Indy - This game will be close...because the Edgar Allen Poes have the best damn D in the land, so they are more times than not going to be in games and have an opportunity. That said, they (Ravens) still have a young QB and at some point I expect Indy to win at the new dome (they are 0-2 there), I mean stadium (who knew Indy's mojo was all about a dome?) So I am going with (finally) a home team and Indy.
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   LCS Thoughts:

I have the Dodgers coming out of the NL (a la St. Louis a couple years ago). The Phils were expected to win last night with Cole on the hill...but I expect the Dodgers to split and win the next one at Philly if they want to maintain a decent shot.

And it truly would be nice to see Manny go back to Boston and completely show up the pitcher when he jacks one, and send the Boston faithful into a riotous frenzy, but I still think the Rays will take them in 7.

Have a great weekend, Lot D!