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BwareDWare94
Where were you when the world stopped turning?
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Sunday, 1:05 ET,CBS
Cincinnati Bengals @ Indianapolis Colts
Why Cincinnati Will Win:
1. Significantly Better Team
When you look at these teams side by side, Cincinnati is much better in many categories, except for the most important--quarterback. We have seen good teams carry sub-par quarterbacks in the playoffs before, so it certainly is possible, but will this finally be the year that the Bengals advance?
2. Tempo Control
The easiest way to beat a high flying team like the Colts is to control the clock and minimize the number of possessions you give that team. If the Bengals' running game can shorten the game and make it as easy as possible on Dalton, anything is possible.
Why Cincinnati Will Lose:
1. Andy Dalton
So many things go into a playoff loss, and rarely is it entirely the fault of one single individual, but I have never seen a quarterback play so poorly in his first three playoff starts. Just think about this--Ryan Lindley has an opportunity to outplay Dalton as far as playoff games are concerned. Talk about mind-boggling. If Andy Dalton continues to impersonate Christian Ponder once the playoffs roll around, this team will continue to falter when it matters most.
2. Can't Keep Up With Luck
There's simply no way that the Bengals could win a shootout with the Colts, and if they don't keep things under control, this game will be over in a hell of a hurry. Luck has good weapons at his disposal, so if the Bengals can't get enough of a pass rush, their secondary will eventually crumble.
Why Indianapolis Will Win:
1. Unstoppable Passing Game
The Bengals have a decent secondary, but it's not like they're the Legion of Doom or Legion East out in Foxborough, so Andrew Luck is going to have opportunities. If he converts most or all of them, this game will be over, and quick. I fully expect Cincinnati to be more than up to the challenge, but sometimes things get out of hand, and Indianapolis could blow this open into something similar to 27-0.
2. Bengals Gonna Bengal
There's just no explanation for how Cincinnati has entered the playoffs in recent years with perfectly capable teams only to crumble and fall apart like a team that never belonged there in the first place. I don't know how they continue to play well enough to qualify and then show their true colors.
Why Indianapolis Will Lose:
1. Important Missing Pieces
No running back. No rush defense. Questions on the offensive line. Things that matter that the Indianapolis Colts simply don't have. They have some things in their favor--a nice secondary, along with the obvious. At the same time, teams that can't run the ball at least somewhat effectively usually struggle in postseason play, and I just don't see them as a team that can overcome it.
2. Turnover Prone Luck
One way to beat Indianapolis is to capitalize on their glaring deficiencies. Run the ball, Bait Luck into throws and make him pay for it. If the Bengals can find ways to do this, the Colts are in trouble. This is the least impressive team they've brought into playoffs with Luck at QB, so it's certainly possible.
Prediction: Bengals 30 Colts 17
I think this will finally be the year that the Bengals advance. Andrew Luck tosses two interceptions, one for a pick 6, and the Bengals' running game takes over early and doesn't give Indianapolis enough chances to compensate for their turnovers.
Collateral Damage From This Game:
1. Reggie Wayne and Trent Richardson exit the league, one because he's tired and wants to go to bed after the long day they call an NFL career, the other because he plays so poorly that Indianapolis lets him walk and fall into obscurity.
Cincinnati Bengals @ Indianapolis Colts
Why Cincinnati Will Win:
1. Significantly Better Team
When you look at these teams side by side, Cincinnati is much better in many categories, except for the most important--quarterback. We have seen good teams carry sub-par quarterbacks in the playoffs before, so it certainly is possible, but will this finally be the year that the Bengals advance?
2. Tempo Control
The easiest way to beat a high flying team like the Colts is to control the clock and minimize the number of possessions you give that team. If the Bengals' running game can shorten the game and make it as easy as possible on Dalton, anything is possible.
Why Cincinnati Will Lose:
1. Andy Dalton
So many things go into a playoff loss, and rarely is it entirely the fault of one single individual, but I have never seen a quarterback play so poorly in his first three playoff starts. Just think about this--Ryan Lindley has an opportunity to outplay Dalton as far as playoff games are concerned. Talk about mind-boggling. If Andy Dalton continues to impersonate Christian Ponder once the playoffs roll around, this team will continue to falter when it matters most.
2. Can't Keep Up With Luck
There's simply no way that the Bengals could win a shootout with the Colts, and if they don't keep things under control, this game will be over in a hell of a hurry. Luck has good weapons at his disposal, so if the Bengals can't get enough of a pass rush, their secondary will eventually crumble.
Why Indianapolis Will Win:
1. Unstoppable Passing Game
The Bengals have a decent secondary, but it's not like they're the Legion of Doom or Legion East out in Foxborough, so Andrew Luck is going to have opportunities. If he converts most or all of them, this game will be over, and quick. I fully expect Cincinnati to be more than up to the challenge, but sometimes things get out of hand, and Indianapolis could blow this open into something similar to 27-0.
2. Bengals Gonna Bengal
There's just no explanation for how Cincinnati has entered the playoffs in recent years with perfectly capable teams only to crumble and fall apart like a team that never belonged there in the first place. I don't know how they continue to play well enough to qualify and then show their true colors.
Why Indianapolis Will Lose:
1. Important Missing Pieces
No running back. No rush defense. Questions on the offensive line. Things that matter that the Indianapolis Colts simply don't have. They have some things in their favor--a nice secondary, along with the obvious. At the same time, teams that can't run the ball at least somewhat effectively usually struggle in postseason play, and I just don't see them as a team that can overcome it.
2. Turnover Prone Luck
One way to beat Indianapolis is to capitalize on their glaring deficiencies. Run the ball, Bait Luck into throws and make him pay for it. If the Bengals can find ways to do this, the Colts are in trouble. This is the least impressive team they've brought into playoffs with Luck at QB, so it's certainly possible.
Prediction: Bengals 30 Colts 17
I think this will finally be the year that the Bengals advance. Andrew Luck tosses two interceptions, one for a pick 6, and the Bengals' running game takes over early and doesn't give Indianapolis enough chances to compensate for their turnovers.
Collateral Damage From This Game:
1. Reggie Wayne and Trent Richardson exit the league, one because he's tired and wants to go to bed after the long day they call an NFL career, the other because he plays so poorly that Indianapolis lets him walk and fall into obscurity.
