[Stardust]

Sometimes it's good to just get the win. Today's game sure was UGLY, but a win, any win, is always welcomed in the NFL. Last week is enough proof of that. Now we're 8-3 and hoping for 9 wins after Detroit visits town next week.

I tell you something, though. I've noticed the Bengals have played much better this year as the underdog. Case in point:

Games where Cincy was favored: 2-3 record

Broncos, L (12-7)
Browns, W (23-20 in OT)
Texans, L (28-17)
Raiders, L (20-17)
Browns, W (16-7)

Games where Cincy was the underdog: 6-0 record

Packers, W (31-24)
Steelers, W (23-20)
Ravens, W (17-14)
Bears, W (45-10)
Ravens, W (17-7)
Steelers, W (18-12)

It's amazing to think that the only games Cincy has won as the favorite were two ugly wins over the Browns. I think it is pretty obvious that the Bengals play to the level of the competiton.

Great work here. This adds to the point that I was attempting to make, that the Bengals play down to inferior competion, and find ways to execute better against the better teams.