The game that transformed the Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals found a way to win even by losing. (Mike Bass photo)
By Mike Bass
mbass@mikebasscoaching.com
If you are going to hit 0-2, this is the way.
Fall a predictable is-it-really-a-penalty short of beating Kansas City. Play so well you could have and maybe should have upset the two-time defending champs. Read the ex on X and feel validated that former Bengal T.J. Houshmandzadeh is posting what you might be thinking.
“Give every game to the Chiefs rest of season,” @housh84 wrote Sunday. “Refs in their favor every game. Why play the game if we know results beforehand?”
And, hey, wasn’t that incoming Ring of Honoree Corey Dillon backing up his old teammate?
“Definitely a bullshit call,” @coreydillon_28 replied.
Can I get a “Who Bleepin’ Dey!”?
Feels good, doesn’t it? Maybe as good as you can feel without winning. Certainly better than you felt after last week. You were able to pivot from one familiar narrative (Zac Taylor blowing another opener) to another (the officials costing another Kansas City game).
Now you can move on from Chiefs 26, Bengals 25 and believe 0-2 will ignite another liftoff. And this feels better than the last two 0-2s. There is less panic. This is more like 0-1 with an asterisk. Joe Burrow is returning to Joe Burrow. The Bengals are playing like the Bengals again.
Who Bleepin’ Dey!
In our day-after-game X conversation, I gave you a two-word question: What Now? It was purposely open-ended.
“Based on what i saw I’m not as upset with this loss,” @BrandonMMurphy wrote. “KC is always a great matchup. We cannot let games fall into the hands of officials. There is no concern being 0-2. Post season aspirations are dependent on running through the North.”
Interesting. Thoughtful. Hopeful. Thought-provoking.
As usual.
“On the officials comment, I agree, but at the same time, why is it US tha(t) can't ever let the game be decided by the officials?” @BengalsCaptain replied. “That's not something KC worries about. They're happy to let it fall into their hands. I just want to wake up Monday morning and not constantly have the media and other fans talking about how we got screwed. It's exhausting.”
Another intriguing take.
As usual.
Let’s take a step back here.
Did the Bengals get screwed? Or did it just feel like it?
Was it a matter of judgment? Or rule?
The Daijahn Anthony penalty on fourth-and-16 looked close initially, but let’s check the NFL Rulebook: “Playing through the back of an opponent in an attempt to make a play on the ball” is interference. This seems to qualify. Had Anthony “gained position on (Rashee Rice) in an attempt to make the catch”? Not that I saw. Was the ball “uncatchable” or the contact “incidental”? Same answer.
Maybe you interpret the play and rules differently. Fair enough. Either way, Cap is right, feeling hosed can drain you. Knowing Cap, it will not last. These are his Bengals, your Bengals, and a loss is still a loss and can sting at first and influence anybody’s What Now.
“Questions as to where that level of intensity was last week, a win is a win no matter who you play,” @IrelandsWhodey wrote. “Run defence is of major concern going forward. Otherwise, with Tee (Higgins) hopefully back for Monday night, hard not to take positives outta that performance.”
Hard indeed. And well said. As usual.
Hope is building.
What Now is also What’s Next.
“We’re on to Washington,” @OffensiveGinga posted.
“Correct answer,” @BengalsCaptain added.
Monday night against the Commanders is next. It is one Heisman Trophy quarterback from LSU versus another. Rookie Jayden Daniels just won for the first time with Washington, but Burrow has never lost a Game 3 with Cincinnati. The Bengals are trending – even if technically but wrongly winless as you or the exes see it.
“The Bengals should of won that game!” @maualuga58 (Rey Maualuga) posted Sunday. “Fought hard all 4 quarters just to get it taken away from a penalty at the end. They're only going to get better moving fo(r)ward...”
You are ready for it.
You expect it.
Who Bleepin’ Dey!