BY
CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Anybody can pick winners in the NFL from week to week. For a real challenge, try forecasting an entire season.
Then again, maybe it's not that difficult in the Bengals' case.
Cincinnati's story has become familiar a disastrously slow start followed by an encouraging finish.
The Bengals are 9-47 in the season's first half since 1991, which largely explains their failure to reach the playoffs in that span. They also closed with a 7-2 record in 1996 and 6-2 last year, conjuring dreams of a turnaround that has yet to occur.
It probably won't happen this year, either. The Bengals' upgrades at positions such as linebacker and cornerback are nullified by having the league's third-toughest schedule. It's entirely possible that the Bengals will be more consistent than they were in 1997, yet fail to match the 7-9 record they posted a year ago.
To reach the playoffs for the first time since 1990, virtually everything will have to go right for the Bengals. When's the last time that happened?
Still, it's fun to daydream about what could be. Here's a best-case scenario of how Cincinnati's season might unfold, because conjuring this requires much more imagination than scripting the 5-11 or 6-10 season they'll probably have. Yet even through rose-colored glasses, the postseason doesn't appear in sight.
SUNDAY vs. TENNESSEE
• Bengals' struggling run defense receives supreme test against the Oilers' Eddie George, who gains 147 yards. Vengeful Oilers hold Corey Dillon, who ravaged them for 246 yards last December, to 67 yards. Cincinnati intercepts Steve McNair twice but also yields pair of TD passes. Oilers 24, Bengals 16. Record: 0-1
SEPT. 13 at DETROIT
• Bengals' struggling run defense receives supreme test against Lions' Barry Sanders, who gains 129 yards. Fortunately for Cincinnati, this is inconsistent Scott Mitchell's turn to be dreadful. Detroit's quarterback throws three interceptions, including one that Artrell Hawkins returns 71 yards for a TD. Bengals 24, Lions 20. Record: 1-1
SEPT. 20 vs. GREEN BAY
• Sky-high Bengals play almost flawlessly for three quarters. Neil O'Donnell completes 11 passes in a row, two for TDs. The defense collects five sacks. Then the fourth quarter begins and the NFL's best player, Brett Favre, quickly leads the Packers back with two long touchdown drives that erase Cincinnati's 21-13 edge. Packers 27, Bengals 21. Record: 1-2
SEPT. 27 at BALTIMORE
• Bengals barely show up in their only national television appearance, a Sunday night game. Baltimore linebacker Ray Lewis forces an O'Donnell fumble which Peter Boulware returns for a TD. Damon Gibson's fumbled punt return leads to another score. Jim Harbaugh's two TD passes contribute to the rout. Ravens 34, Bengals 14. Record: 1-3
OCT. 11 vs. PITTSBURGH
• Dillon has his best game so far, shredding the Steelers for 146 yards, but Jerome Bettis scores three touchdowns and helps Pittsburgh win the time-of-possession battle. Also, the accurate O'Donnell throws his first interception of the season, which Carnell Lake returns for a crucial TD. Steelers 27, Bengals 20. Record: 1-4
OCT. 18 at TENNESSEE
• A big game for the Bengal linebackers. Takeo Spikes collects a sack and an interception, and Reinard Wilson gets two sacks and forces a fumble that sets up a key field goal. Oilers rally late, but Ashley Ambrose's last-minute interception seals the verdict. Bengals 30, Oilers 24. Record: 2-4
OCT. 25 at OAKLAND
• Dillon goes nuts, rushing for 196 yards and two TDs while injuring three Raiders who try to tackle him. Tremain Mack returns a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown. Spikes, Wilson and Brian Simmons notch a sack apiece. Overall, a great day for recent Bengals draft picks. Bengals 23, Raiders 10. Record: 3-4
NOV. 1 vs. DENVER
• Terrell Davis, who gained 215 yards against Cincinnati last year, amasses just 96 this time, but scores two TDs. Bengals fight hard against the defending Super Bowl champions but lose the ball twice in the second half on a fumble and an interception. Broncos 17, Bengals 10. Record: 3-5
NOV. 8 at JACKSONVILLE
• Jaguars outclass the Bengals with a balanced yet dominant performance. Mark Brunell passes for 332 yards and Tony Brackens, protege of current Bengal Clyde Simmons, twice forces fumbles while sacking O'Donnell. Jaguars 31, Bengals 13. Record: 3-6
NOV. 15 at MINNESOTA
• Good news the Bengals' defense limits Minnesota's top two receivers, Cris Carter and Jake Reed, to seven catches. Bad news the Vikings' No. 3 receiver, a fellow named Randy Moss, enjoys his biggest day as a pro with eight catches for 179 yards and two touchdowns. Vikings 27, Bengals 13. Record: 3-7
NOV. 22 vs. BALTIMORE
• Time for that late-season surge to begin. O'Donnell, now comfortable with the offense, completes 22 of 28 passes for 312 yards and three TDs, including two to Carl Pickens. Ki-Jana Carter scores twice off the bench as Cincinnati gains 469 total yards. Bengals 37, Ravens 20. Record: 4-7
NOV. 29 vs. JACKSONVILLE
• O'Donnell excels again (11-for-16, 2 TDs) before a rib injury knocks him out of the game. Jeff Blake is booed lustily as he takes the field, but he placates the fans by generating two touchdown drives in another all-around solid effort for Cincinnati. Bengals 31, Jaguars 17. Record: 5-7
DEC. 6 vs. BUFFALO
• The Bengals' third victory in a row fulfills one of Coslet's longtime dreams. "I've always wanted to win a game 14-10," he once said, referring to his overlooked appreciation for defense. The score doesn't quite match Coslet's wishes, but it comes close as Doug Pelfrey's field goals of 51 and 49 yards make the difference. Bengals 13, Bills 10. Record: 6-7
DEC. 13 at INDIANAPOLIS
• O'Donnell isn't quite healed, so Blake starts again and recaptures his old magic. He outclasses Peyton Manning by throwing four touchdown passes, hiking his trade value (if the Bengals don't release him after the season) or his free-agent price tag (if the Bengals do). Bengals 31, Colts 19. Record: 7-7
DEC. 20 at PITTSBURGH
• A mini-controversy arises in the days before the game when Coslet names O'Donnell to start ahead of Blake. O'Donnell sparkles against his former team, completing 15 of 18 passes for 218 yards. Dillon pounds away for 102 yards and Spikes intercepts two passes as Cincinnati ends a three-game losing streak against Pittsburgh. Bengals 24, Steelers 20. Record: 8-7
DEC. 27 vs. TAMPA BAY
• The Buccaneers have never won a game played in conditions below 40 degrees, and this isn't the first time, as Cincinnati intercepts three Trent Dilfer passes. Cincinnati misses a wild-card playoff spot by one game, leaving Coslet and his players vowing to start faster next year. We'll see. Bengals 23, Bucs 13
Final Record: 9-7.