This is my second article, I hope to make this more frequent after school gets out, and the season comes closer.
Today I want to throw some predictions at you guys, let you know just how the Bengals will do this year. So without further a due…
Xpetey’s Predictions
(Speaking in the third person is fun!)
WEEK ONE Cleveland- What a way to start off the season. The Bengals head north to rekindle a rivalry with the Brownies that should get better over the years. Even with Romeo Crennell, the Browns will struggle off the bat
Prediction: W (1-0, 1-0 AFC North)
WEEK TWO MINNESOTA- The Jungle is rocking for the 2005 home opener. The team was hard to beat at home this year, and continue the hot start Coach Lewis has been searching for the past two seasons.
Prediction: W (2-0, 1-0 AFC North)
WEEK THREE Chicago- The Bears will be better than last year, but not good enough to beat the Bengals. Look for the offense to have a great game.
Prediction: W (3-0, 1-0 AFC North)
WEEK FOUR HOUSTON- The Texans are a strong team, but the much improved defense and potent offense will roll to a 3-0 record in 2005.
Prediction: W (4-0, 1-0 AFC North)
WEEK FIVE Jacksonville- The Bengals were perfect primetime, however, the Jags are a tough team, and their home field advantage is strong. This will be a close, gritty game.
Prediction: L (4-1, 1-0 AFC North)
WEEK SIX Tennessee- Tennessee is not the franchise it once was. I see the Bengals rolling over this struggling franchise. I also see Chad Johnson having a big game if rookie Pac-Man Jones guards him. He’ll be 7-11, always open.
Prediction: W (5-1, 1-0 AFC North)
WEEK SEVEN PITTSBURGH- Another tough test home game for the Bengals here. As they enter the meat of their schedule, the team is sitting well with a 4-1 record. Defense will win this game, and the much improved run D will show itself
Prediction: W (6-1, 2-0 AFC North)
WEEK EIGHT GREEN BAY- As I said before, the Bengals are tough at home, and they’ll pull this one out too.
Prediction W (7-1, 2-0 AFC North)
WEEK NINE Baltimore- This could be the toughest game of the season for the Bengals. We almost pulled it out last year down in Baltimore, but this year I predict we fall again to the Ravens in a defensive battle.
Prediction: L (7-2, 2-1 AFC North)
WEEK TEN
---BYE WEEK--- This comes at the most critical point in the season, allowing our guys to rest up for the stretch run.
WEEK ELEVEN INDIANAPOLIS- The Colt’s high powered offense storms into Cincinnati on their way to Detroit for the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, with their weapons, the Colts will win this shootout at Paul Brown.
Prediction: L (7-3, 2-1 AFC North)
WEEK TWELVE BALTIMORE- The Bengal’s are out for blood after the loss to Baltimore three weeks back. Carson Palmer and the offense explode on the toughest defense in the league en route to a win.
Prediction: W (8-3, 3-1 AFC North)
WEEK THIRTEEN Pittsburgh- The boys head to the steel city with their heads high, however the Steelers are rolling, and roll right over the Bengals at home
Prediction: L (8-4, 4-2 AFC North)
WEEK FOURTEEN CLEVELAND- The team that ruined our playoff chances two years ago makes a return visit to a hostile environment. In a tough battle, the Browns prove they’re on the way back up, just not back yet. (Browns 2005=Bengals 2003)
Prediction: W (9-4, 5-2 AFC North)
WEEK FIFTEEN Detroit- Another tough game for the Bengals in Detroit (hopefully for the first time, and we’ll be back in February). The Lions offense is great, but their defense can’t help them out.
Prediction: W (10-4, 5-2 AFC North)
WEEK SIXTEEN BUFFALO- The team is reminded of the loss to the McGahee and the Bills last year, and believe you me, they won’t let it happen again. The defense will give J.P. Losman a welcome to the league
Prediction: W (11-4, 5-2 AFC North)
WEEK SEVENTEEN Kansas City- The Chiefs have gotten better, but the Bengal’s run defense is well tested after their league play, and they keep Priest Holmes’s stats within reason and win this one.
Prediction (12-4, 5-2 AFC North)
The Bengals make the playoffs as a wildcard, and loss in the second round to the Colts, who will go on to win the Super Bowl
PRO BOWLERS
Chad Johnson- Mr. Seven Eleven produces even more than last year with more receivers around him. Double digit touchdowns and 1500+ yards.
Rudi Johnson- after getting his long term contract, Rudi gets the tough yards and appears in his second Pro-Bowl in two years. Could easily break his rushing record set last year.
Willie Anderson- Big Willie turns in another great season blocking for one of the best backs in the league. He deserves it.
Madieu Williams- The second year DB deserved to be on the all rookie team last year, and another year in the league is just more improvement for him. I expect big things from one of the cornerstones of our defense.
Cleveland- What a way to start off the season. The Bengals head north to rekindle a rivalry with the Brownies that should get better over the years. Even with Romeo Crennell, the Browns will struggle off the bat
MINNESOTA- The Jungle is rocking for the 2005 home opener. The team was hard to beat at home this year, and continue the hot start Coach Lewis has been searching for the past two seasons.
Chicago- The Bears will be better than last year, but not good enough to beat the Bengals. Look for the offense to have a great game.
HOUSTON- The Texans are a strong team, but the much improved defense and potent offense will roll to a 3-0 record in 2005.
Jacksonville- The Bengals were perfect primetime, however, the Jags are a tough team, and their home field advantage is strong. This will be a close, gritty game.
Tennessee- Tennessee is not the franchise it once was. I see the Bengals rolling over this struggling franchise. I also see Chad Johnson having a big game if rookie Pac-Man Jones guards him. He’ll be 7-11, always open.
PITTSBURGH- Another tough test home game for the Bengals here. As they enter the meat of their schedule, the team is sitting well with a 4-1 record. Defense will win this game, and the much improved run D will show itself
GREEN BAY- As I said before, the Bengals are tough at home, and they’ll pull this one out too.
Baltimore- This could be the toughest game of the season for the Bengals. We almost pulled it out last year down in Baltimore, but this year I predict we fall again to the Ravens in a defensive battle.
INDIANAPOLIS- The Colt’s high powered offense storms into Cincinnati on their way to Detroit for the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, with their weapons, the Colts will win this shootout at Paul Brown.
Detroit- Another tough game for the Bengals in Detroit (hopefully for the first time, and we’ll be back in February). The Lions offense is great, but their defense can’t help them out.
BUFFALO- The team is reminded of the loss to the McGahee and the Bills last year, and believe you me, they won’t let it happen again. The defense will give J.P. Losman a welcome to the league
Kansas City- The Chiefs have gotten better, but the Bengal’s run defense is well tested after their league play, and they keep Priest Holmes’s stats within reason and win this one.
