Week 1 Victory is sweet! BENGALS WIN BATTLE OF OHIO!

The scene was set for a frustrating opener for our beloved BENGALS. Opening on the road against a division rival in a game where the BENGALS started 4 rookies on offense. The majority of the fan base had all ready given up and the media was destroying this young rebuilt team before they even played a snap that mattered. This has lead to the BENGALS playing with a cumbersome chip on their shoulders. That chip reminds me of the great 2009 sweep of the AFC North. This team is playing with that it's us against the world attitude that is refreshing for true fans of this team. Let’s face it we all have the same chip on our shoulders being BENGALS fans. It is time to embrace the chip and take all of our frustration out on the rest of the NFL.

The BENGALS took the field with a ton of energy and took advantage of the BROWNS sloppy 1st quarter filled with bone head mistakes. A fast start was needed and that exactly what we got jumping out to a 13-0 lead early in the game. After a few mental mistakes in the second quarter that let the BROWNS take the lead heading into the half. Dalton was smashed by young Phil Taylor and was forced out of the game with an injured right forearm. THis is when the snake bit BENGALS fans tuned out.

This team came together showing toughness, resiliency and passion. Not many other teams would have pulled off that win on the road with their back up in the game. Bruce Gradkowski came off the bench to start the second half. He looked hung over his first few possessions. Gruden and the new offensive attack then focused on the running game and took the game over on a sneaky pass play. Gradkowski broke the huddle and made sure the entire offense was in place. Then he quick snapped the ball catching Haden and the rest of the BROWNS with their pants down. Gradkowski floats a ball to rookie AJ GREEN for one of the most memorable first catches of all time. The defense answered the bell cranking up the pressure on McCoy in the 4th quarter. The BROWNS looked over matched in the 4th quarter and the BENGALS running game lead by Benson hammered the nail in the coffin with a huge 39-yard TD run with 1:49 on the clock. I must ad on 3rd and short Gruden ran behind the young tandem of Boling and A. Smith on the right side of the O-line. Great call after punishing the BROWNS behind Whitworth and Livings all day. Plus a huge confidence boost for Andre and Clint.

Marvin Lewis and his coaching staff deserve a ton of credit. No turnovers, not a ton of flags and not one delay of "Palmer playing Manning" Game. Marvin threw good challenge flags and did a great job managing the game. Performances by players like Reggie Nelson show that this staff is doing their job. I know Marvin has his doubters alive and well inside whodey nation. I think we need to give more credit when credit is due. Trust me if we lost this game Marvin and company would be getting roasted by the negative fans.

This is a BENGALS team has the opportunity to get better as the weeks pass us by. With Jennings, Rivers, Pacman and other valuable players hopefully back in the fold after week 6. Bobbie Williams comes back after week 4. If Dalton can stay healthy and gain more experience, he should improve with every game under center. The defense will have a chance to stay healthy if the Bengals can continue to control the clock and win the time of possession battle.

It was a great win and a fantastic job by the Bengals in a total team victory. The early part of this schedule has winnable but tuff games ahead. A road win in Denver would be huge next week. Let’s hope we see a consistent effort by this team and our coaches this season.

AFC NORTH STANDINGS
RAVENS: 1-0
BENGALS: 1-0
BROWNS: 0-1
STEELERS: 0-1

WHO DEY!!!