Retrospect

The Saints are going to the Superbowl. Tell any Saints fan during the Aaron Brooks era that their team would be in the Superbowl by the end of the decade and they would probably be skeptical. That should give Bengals fans some hope that maybe our next Superbowl appearance isn't too far away.

Ten wins and a playoff birth should also supply some hope as well. Looking back on this season the one word I can use to describe it is bizarre. How often does a Bengals season start with the spotlight, supplied by Hard Knocks, on the Bengals? How often does tragedy strike the same team twice? How often does a Bengals team own its division and keep the Steelers out of the playoffs? It's not the norm as we know it but there are certain things about this bizarre season we could all get used to.

A couple moments defined this season and will stick out in my memory as the key points of the 2009 Cincinnati Bengals.

- Brandon Stokley catching the dream-smashing tip and running 80 yards started the season on a sour note. That type of play would presumably have a devastating affect on Bengals teams of the past but the team rallied the next week to beat a playoff team in the Packers.

- Both victories over the Steelers let the Superbowl Champions know they weren't going to Miami. For once Steelers fans have absolutely nothing to say after this season because the Bengals were undeniably the better team. However, the Bengals did do the Steelers a favor by giving James Harrison more time this off season to read his first non-picture book.

- The passing of Vicki Zimmer and Chris Henry gave us perspective and appreciation of those individuals in a way only tragedy can provide. The bonds between teammates, coaches, families and fans were made more tangible than any of us thought possible when we were robbed of two good people.

- The hard-fought victory of Kansas City sealed the ownership of the division and just the second playoff appearance in 19 years for the Bengals. I know I celebrated that win like fans of the Colts or Patriots celebrate conference championships.

Who can't wait until the draft?

Wild Card

Well there they are. The Bengals are in the playoffs. This happens about as often as me talking the pants off a super model. So do what I am doing Bengals fans and bask in the fact that we are nationally relevant if only for three hours of a cold January day.

I hope the players and coaches are looking back to see what got them to this point and are realizing what a rare and special this chance is for this franchise. Tomorrow is a opportunity to make an impact on the lives of a group of fans that has been through the lowest of lows by giving them a victory and a reason to feel warm inside when the weather is hellbent on doing the opposite.

This match up is the classic small market versus big market clash. New York has the spotlight constantly burning their collective retina, while Cincinnati is a name you only recognize from the back of your Proctor and Gamble shampoo bottle. Jets fans have their gripes, some justified, but no group of fans has waited longer and endured more mediocrity and idiocy than those wearing orange and black.

This could be the start of a Superbowl run. This could be a quick exit. This could be the start of a dynasty. This could be a fluke in a sad history. This could make our year. This could make us sick.

Cincinnati Bengals,
That's the team we're gonna cheer to victory.



Who Dey!