[Van Hagar]

I’ve been a Bengals fan my whole life. My dad took me to my first in person game at Riverfront in the 70’s, when the Real Steelers (Terry Bradshaw, Franco Harris, Lynn Swann, Mean Joe Greene, and on and on) destroyed the Bengals 35-0. He took me a few more times, and I have taken my own son at least once a year since he was 8 (he’s now 25). I always tried to pick out a decent opponent to see, and the Bengals often sucked, so as a result I had never actually seen them win a game in person in all that time—-until Mr. Joe Burrow fell into our laps. I’ve now seen two playoff wins. And I really believe the Bengals are the best team in all of football at this time. It’s often who is the hottest, not who has been the best the majority of the season.
    The offense can be spectacular. The defense has the best coordinator in pro football. Special teams are rock solid. Now it’s hard to win in the NFL. Cincy was probably one freak play away from losing to Baltimore in round one. KC on the road will be a load, no matter if Mahomes is 100% or not. And the 49ers, if they win the NFC, would be an opponent very similar to the Rams from a year ago.
    But I think this Bengals team is ready. Burrow has become the best qb in football. If the depleted O line, which played great at Buffalo, can hold up, then this is the year the impossible happens. The Cincinnati Bungles will be Bungles no more, but Super Bowl champions.