Dream Scenario....Why is this not possible?

[SHRacerX11]

The Bengals beat the Rats and win the 6th seed.

Round 1-

Bengals beat Texans
Raiders beat Steelers

Round 2-

Bengals beat Pats
Raiders beat Ravens

Round 3-

AT PBS ( If I am not mistaken, due to better record???)

Carson comes back to Cincinnati to lose to the Bengals!!!

Added bounes=The Raiders appearance in the AFC Title game makes the 2013 pick a first rounder as well!!!

The only thing that would really be a huge upset is the Bengals at the Pats, but if the defense can do what they did the first half against the 6-1 Starter Skelton and the Cards, I would say anything is possible. Bengals could run on Pats, and Pats might find points tougher to come by than against many of their cupcakes.

I know, I know...one game at a time. I just wanted to dream a little dream....

[lqhybrid25]

Bengals can only get the sixth seed. Raiders would have the Fourth seed.
Meaning if it was Raiders V.S. Bengals, it'd be in the Black hole

[Who Dey Time]

Originally Posted by SHRacerX11

The Bengals beat the Rats and win the 6th seed.

Round 1-

Bengals beat Texans
Raiders beat Steelers

Round 2-

Bengals beat Pats
Raiders beat Ravens

Round 3-

AT PBS ( If I am not mistaken, due to better record???)

Carson comes back to Cincinnati to lose to the Bengals!!!

Added bounes=The Raiders appearance in the AFC Title game makes the 2013 pick a first rounder as well!!!

The only thing that would really be a huge upset is the Bengals at the Pats, but if the defense can do what they did the first half against the 6-1 Starter Skelton and the Cards, I would say anything is possible. Bengals could run on Pats, and Pats might find points tougher to come by than against many of their cupcakes.

I know, I know...one game at a time. I just wanted to dream a little dream....

Your scenario cannot happen since the Bengals would be locked into the 6-seed if they qualify meaning it will be a road playoff show for us.

But be patient. Carson will return to PBS in 2012 to take his beating!

[eoxyod]

The Raiders would not get that far, and we won't make it that far. The furthest I'd see us going is into the divisional round

[bfine32]

Why is this not possible?



...cause Carson Sux

[SHRacerX11]

Originally Posted by Who Dey Time

Your scenario cannot happen since the Bengals would be locked into the 6-seed if they qualify meaning it will be a road playoff show for us.

But be patient. Carson will return to PBS in 2012 to take his beating!

I like the thought of that, but I still believe everything else could happen. Raiders match up well against Pitt...and Palmer knows their defense.

I don't care if it is at "The Black Hole", that would be amazing for the AFC title game...

[SHRacerX11]

Originally Posted by SHRacerX11

I like the thought of that, but I still believe everything else could happen. Raiders match up well against Pitt...and Palmer knows their defense.

I don't care if it is at "The Black Hole", that would be amazing for the AFC title game...

PLUS, win or lose that game (Although it will be a win ) Bengals second pick from Raiders becomes a first rounder just by the Raiders reaching the AFC Title Game.

[savagehenry54]

Originally Posted by SHRacerX11

The Bengals beat the Rats and win the 6th seed.

Round 1-

Bengals beat Texans
Raiders beat Steelers

Round 2-

Bengals beat Pats
Raiders beat Ravens

Round 3-

AT PBS ( If I am not mistaken, due to better record???)

Carson comes back to Cincinnati to lose to the Bengals!!!

Added bounes=The Raiders appearance in the AFC Title game makes the 2013 pick a first rounder as well!!!

The only thing that would really be a huge upset is the Bengals at the Pats, but if the defense can do what they did the first half against the 6-1 Starter Skelton and the Cards, I would say anything is possible. Bengals could run on Pats, and Pats might find points tougher to come by than against many of their cupcakes.

I know, I know...one game at a time. I just wanted to dream a little dream....

I have to say the "nay-no" to this almost entirely. First, the Raiders beating the Steelers and Ravens consecutively would absolutely be a fantastic set of upsets for them to pull off in back to back fashion no less. Saying only the Bengals beating the Patriots would be an upset in this hypothetical is not accurate at all.

I'm not saying the seedings couldn't very well set up to make it "possible", they probably will tbh assuming the Bengals beat the Ravens....BUT, there is just no way. First of all, a division champ would never play on the road vs. a wild card regardless of record.

Admittedly, I predicted after the Broncos went to 8-5 that they would fizzle to an 8-8 finish and they're almost there. With the Chiefs responding to Crennel the way they have plus the fact that Kyle Orton's new teammates are probably willing to run through a wall for the guy on general principal next Sunday in Denver, I really don't see the Broncos beating the Chiefs. I also think the Raiders will beat the Chargers at home and get the fourth seed.

That's where it ends for them. The Raiders defense is horri-awful. The only thing that makes the Raiders any good is when they can run the air outta the ball and keep that krappy defense off the field. Not having DMC throws a major monkey wrench in that plan, good as Bush is, it was the combo of him playing "Robin" to McFadden's "Batman" that made the Raiders any sort of serious threat to the league's better teams. That and having the best specialists in the NFL in Janikowski and Lechler.

Palmer has made the Raiders passing game much more of a threat and improved them some 10 to 12 spots in the league's passing rankings but he's also been killing them with interceptions. Even if he takes better care of the ball, the Raiders defense will give it up the more they are on the field. In that situation, with but an average rushing attack to protect the suspect defense, the Raiders would have to sling it all over the yard a la the Saints to have a chance in hades.

And simply put, Hue Jackson ain't Sean Payton and Carson Palmer ain't Drew Brees.

The Steelers and/or the Ravens would stifle Bush. FatJen and Mike Wallace and/or Ray Rice and the boys vs. that sorry Raider defense would put Jackson and Palmer in a corner out of which they would not emerge victorious.

Based on the likely seeding, your scenario could happen, but it won't. And it would be in Oakland not Cincy if by some miracle it did. Which would be nice cuz we'd win easy for the reasons I've already outlined in all probability.

But if for the sake of argument we did play in the black hole for the AFC title, burn some incense for Bo Jackson or something, cuz as we all know, his broken hip is why we've stunk for so long to begin with.

Edit: Also, in this hypothetical scenario, the Raiders would be playing the Ravens in the first round, not the Steelers. Unless the Steelers lose to the Browns, which I just don't see happening. But they would have to beat the Ravens and Steelers back to back assuming the Patriots beat the Bills, which will probably happen.

[SHRacerX11]

Originally Posted by savagehenry54

I have to say the "nay-no" to this almost entirely. First, the Raiders beating the Steelers and Ravens consecutively would absolutely be a fantastic set of upsets for them to pull off in back to back fashion no less. Saying only the Bengals beating the Patriots would be an upset in this hypothetical is not accurate at all.

I'm not saying the seedings couldn't very well set up to make it "possible", they probably will tbh assuming the Bengals beat the Ravens....BUT, there is just no way. First of all, a division champ would never play on the road vs. a wild card regardless of record.

Admittedly, I predicted after the Broncos went to 8-5 that they would fizzle to an 8-8 finish and they're almost there. With the Chiefs responding to Crennel the way they have plus the fact that Kyle Orton's new teammates are probably willing to run through a wall for the guy on general principal next Sunday in Denver, I really don't see the Broncos beating the Chiefs. I also think the Raiders will beat the Chargers at home and get the fourth seed.

That's where it ends for them. The Raiders defense is horri-awful. The only thing that makes the Raiders any good is when they can run the air outta the ball and keep that krappy defense off the field. Not having DMC throws a major monkey wrench in that plan, good as Bush is, it was the combo of him playing "Robin" to McFadden's "Batman" that made the Raiders any sort of serious threat to the league's better teams. That and having the best specialists in the NFL in Janikowski and Lechler.

Palmer has made the Raiders passing game much more of a threat and improved them some 10 to 12 spots in the league's passing rankings but he's also been killing them with interceptions. Even if he takes better care of the ball, the Raiders defense will give it up the more they are on the field. In that situation, with but an average rushing attack to protect the suspect defense, the Raiders would have to sling it all over the yard a la the Saints to have a chance in hades.

And simply put, Hue Jackson ain't Sean Payton and Carson Palmer ain't Drew Brees.

The Steelers and/or the Ravens would stifle Bush. FatJen and Mike Wallace and/or Ray Rice and the boys vs. that sorry Raider defense would put Jackson and Palmer in a corner out of which they would not emerge victorious.

Based on the likely seeding, your scenario could happen, but it won't. And it would be in Oakland not Cincy if by some miracle it did. Which would be nice cuz we'd win easy for the reasons I've already outlined in all probability.

But if for the sake of argument we did play in the black hole for the AFC title, burn some incense for Bo Jackson or something, cuz as we all know, his broken hip is why we've stunk for so long to begin with.

Edit: Also, in this hypothetical scenario, the Raiders would be playing the Ravens in the first round, not the Steelers. Unless the Steelers lose to the Browns, which I just don't see happening. But they would have to beat the Ravens and Steelers back to back assuming the Patriots beat the Bills, which will probably happen.

You are correct, sir, that it would be the Rats playing the Raiders and not the steelers. My bad. I forgot to count their loss against the Bengals. I actually think pretty highly of the Raiders. Not because of Palmer, but their K/P combo, their defensive front 7, and their running game balanced with a few burners at WR. They are put together pretty well. I mean, c'mon, Jason Campbell was winning with them. They have a decent chance against a ravens or steelers. I got the order backwords, though. I am getting really pumped for this Raven game.

[fumblerooski]

Originally Posted by eoxyod

we won't make it that far. The furthest I'd see us going is into the divisional round

thumbsdown

Just playing Eox, even though you are wrong.

[Ryan Mc]

Originally Posted by SHRacerX11

....The only thing that would really be a huge upset is the Bengals at the Pats, .....

I think the Raiders beating Pitt and Baltimore would be a pretty huge deal to. The Pats are great, but actually have a very weak D, I'd put the odds of us pulling an upset over them as better than Oakland beating the Steelers and Ravens on back-to-back weekends.

[Bengals Mike]

Originally Posted by lqhybrid25

Bengals can only get the sixth seed. Raiders would have the Fourth seed.
Meaning if it was Raiders V.S. Bengals, it'd be in the Black hole

This has been a year of breaking streaks and ending droughts like winning in Jacksonville for the first time since 1995, winning in Seattle for the first west coast win since 2003 and winning in St. Louis for the first time ever, the Bengals have never won a game in Oakland either

[djam]

I dont see it happening, although it would be pretty cool to unleash our DL on Carson in a home playoff game. He'd probably throw 4 picks under that much pressure, but it would be fun to watch us win. I dont think the Raiders are good enough to get there though, unless Carson cuts down on the INT's right now. He's thrown 15 in 9 games, eek. In comparison Dalton has thrown 13 in 15 games.

[StripesNTn]

We can beat the Texans, and i think we can beat the Pats. Our defense is good enough to slow them down, and their D is junk.


Meeting the Stoolers or Ratbirds in the AFC Championship game could happen.

[Scarlet&Orange]

Originally Posted by SHRacerX11

The Bengals beat the Rats and win the 6th seed.

Round 1-

Bengals beat Texans
Raiders beat Steelers

Round 2-

Bengals beat Pats
Raiders beat Ravens

Round 3-

AT PBS ( If I am not mistaken, due to better record???)

Carson comes back to Cincinnati to lose to the Bengals!!!

Added bounes=The Raiders appearance in the AFC Title game makes the 2013 pick a first rounder as well!!!

The only thing that would really be a huge upset is the Bengals at the Pats, but if the defense can do what they did the first half against the 6-1 Starter Skelton and the Cards, I would say anything is possible. Bengals could run on Pats, and Pats might find points tougher to come by than against many of their cupcakes.

I know, I know...one game at a time. I just wanted to dream a little dream....

IMO it's a longshot but not out of the realm of possibility. I'll explain why I feel that way. I think we all know why the Texans game is winnable for us we have already seen the keys to such a game. And we know what the blueprint to beating NE is, good defensive front who can get Brady off his spot and sack hell out of him (without having to blitz) and an offense who is capable of making big plays on offense especially thru the air. We are capable of both but the key would be for our interior line to hold up because Dalton hasn't looked comfortable back there for quite some time now. If he is comfortable I feel pretty good about the potential for an upset of both teams.

For the Raiders. We know one of their few strengths this year has been their D-Line and the key to beating Pittsburgh is essentially the same as beating N.E., getting to Ben without having to blitz much is key to stopping their offense. But in addition to that you have to score on them. Palmer does have an advantage here though he shreds Baltimore much easier than Pitt. I won't go so far as to say it will happen but it has the makings of a potential upset. Baltimore would be a much tougher matchup for Oakland because Baltimore has a tendency to run it more than pass it (of late) and this is Oaklands achilles heel. But if Oakland could get out in front early and make Baltimore a bit more pass happy it's possible. It also doesn't hurt that in addition to Palmer the Raiders have Hue Jackson and to a lesser extent Housh who both are also familiar with both these teams allowing for a smart game plan.

And if all that happened Oakland would have a slight edge in beating us with them playing at home and with their team knowing ours a bit better than the opposite. But I feel pretty confident we could make them one dimensional and control the tempo of the game which is key. One good thing about playing in Oakland would be the weather which would be a nice change of pace from NE.

There are certainly many reasons why none of this would happen but I feel pretty good about the fact that I see no outcome there that isn't possible. But it's just not probable. The Bengals and Raiders are lower seeds for a reason, they both have their issues. The Raiders are still the most penalized league in the team and the Bengals have a knack for giving up the big play just for example that's 2 big exploitable areas. What is funny is I think as much as we know Pitt and Baltimore if we were the higher seed (between us and Oakland) we'd actually have a a lesser shot at meeting. Because Pitt and Baltimore are a bit better suited to take advantage of us deep than NE and Houston. Everyone is thinking Carson but the guy who could actually be a bigger thorn for us might be Chad (despite his horrible season), wouldn't that be ironic.

[GreenDragon]

Originally Posted by SHRacerX11

The Bengals beat the Rats and win the 6th seed.

Round 1-

Bengals beat Texans
Raiders beat Steelers

Round 2-

Bengals beat Pats
Raiders beat Ravens

Round 3-

AT PBS ( If I am not mistaken, due to better record???)

Carson comes back to Cincinnati to lose to the Bengals!!!

Added bounes=The Raiders appearance in the AFC Title game makes the 2013 pick a first rounder as well!!!

The only thing that would really be a huge upset is the Bengals at the Pats, but if the defense can do what they did the first half against the 6-1 Starter Skelton and the Cards, I would say anything is possible. Bengals could run on Pats, and Pats might find points tougher to come by than against many of their cupcakes.

I know, I know...one game at a time. I just wanted to dream a little dream....

You forgot to mention the Super Bowl being Bengals vs. 49ers

[victor24]

Originally Posted by SHRacerX11

The Bengals beat the Rats and win the 6th seed.

Round 1-

Bengals beat Texans
Raiders beat Steelers

Round 2-

Bengals beat Pats
Raiders beat Ravens

Round 3-

AT PBS ( If I am not mistaken, due to better record???)

Carson comes back to Cincinnati to lose to the Bengals!!!

Added bounes=The Raiders appearance in the AFC Title game makes the 2013 pick a first rounder as well!!!

The only thing that would really be a huge upset is the Bengals at the Pats, but if the defense can do what they did the first half against the 6-1 Starter Skelton and the Cards, I would say anything is possible. Bengals could run on Pats, and Pats might find points tougher to come by than against many of their cupcakes.

I know, I know...one game at a time. I just wanted to dream a little dream....

My friend if you do not end this dream with a Bengals vs 49ers SuperBowl, then you need to go back to sleep and finish the freakin' Dream, properly!

[elmacho2004]

Originally Posted by eoxyod

The Raiders would not get that far, and we won't make it that far. The furthest I'd see us going is into the divisional round

Thanks for your imput....

[SHRacerX11]

Originally Posted by Scarlet&Orange

IMO it's a longshot but not out of the realm of possibility. I'll explain why I feel that way. I think we all know why the Texans game is winnable for us we have already seen the keys to such a game. And we know what the blueprint to beating NE is, good defensive front who can get Brady off his spot and sack hell out of him (without having to blitz) and an offense who is capable of making big plays on offense especially thru the air. We are capable of both but the key would be for our interior line to hold up because Dalton hasn't looked comfortable back there for quite some time now. If he is comfortable I feel pretty good about the potential for an upset of both teams.

For the Raiders. We know one of their few strengths this year has been their D-Line and the key to beating Pittsburgh is essentially the same as beating N.E., getting to Ben without having to blitz much is key to stopping their offense. But in addition to that you have to score on them. Palmer does have an advantage here though he shreds Baltimore much easier than Pitt. I won't go so far as to say it will happen but it has the makings of a potential upset. Baltimore would be a much tougher matchup for Oakland because Baltimore has a tendency to run it more than pass it (of late) and this is Oaklands achilles heel. But if Oakland could get out in front early and make Baltimore a bit more pass happy it's possible. It also doesn't hurt that in addition to Palmer the Raiders have Hue Jackson and to a lesser extent Housh who both are also familiar with both these teams allowing for a smart game plan.

And if all that happened Oakland would have a slight edge in beating us with them playing at home and with their team knowing ours a bit better than the opposite. But I feel pretty confident we could make them one dimensional and control the tempo of the game which is key. One good thing about playing in Oakland would be the weather which would be a nice change of pace from NE.

There are certainly many reasons why none of this would happen but I feel pretty good about the fact that I see no outcome there that isn't possible. But it's just not probable. The Bengals and Raiders are lower seeds for a reason, they both have their issues. The Raiders are still the most penalized league in the team and the Bengals have a knack for giving up the big play just for example that's 2 big exploitable areas. What is funny is I think as much as we know Pitt and Baltimore if we were the higher seed (between us and Oakland) we'd actually have a a lesser shot at meeting. Because Pitt and Baltimore are a bit better suited to take advantage of us deep than NE and Houston. Everyone is thinking Carson but the guy who could actually be a bigger thorn for us might be Chad (despite his horrible season), wouldn't that be ironic.

I could see Carson beating the Bengals way before Chad, but it is humerous to think of any "against his former team" matchups. For instance, Thomas Howard was a Raider.

I agree with your thoughts on New England, but I think we are giving WAY too much credit to the steelers and ravens. If the Ratbirds have to go to Oakland, that will be the first playoff game there in ages....The ravens have not been good on the road. And big jen is pretty beat up. People look up so highly at pitt because of the blowout against the Bengals in their second game. Two blown calls and a fumbled KO return and that game was over. I'm not trying to say that those things didn't happen, but I like the way the Bengals responded the next week against the Texans. The only reason the steelers have a two-game lead on the Bengals is the two head to head games. They lost to the Texans and SF as well, and lost twice to the Ravens. I just think the rats and steelers are living on reputation and have both looked quite vulnerable of late.

I especially like the idea of the ravens having to travel in the first round. I would give that advantage to the Raiders. Then, the Raiders would have to go to pittsburg. Remember, the Raiders beat the Jets and Texans, two teams that play similar to the steelers.

I can't remember the close of a season with more excitement than this one in ages. In 2005, I thought the Bengals defense was too soft to do anything. In 2009, I thought Palmer's lack of a passing game would haunt them. RIght now, I think the Bengals defense is Super Bowl Caliber, and with AJ Green, Gresham, Simpson, Ced, and Dalton....anything can happen. Someone else called the Bengals the Jets of 2009. That was a great call. But the Bengals have more weapons on offense...

[SHRacerX11]

Originally Posted by GreenDragon

You forgot to mention the Super Bowl being Bengals vs. 49ers

Ha ha. That could very well happen. I would much rather face Alex Smith than Rogers or Brees...

[GreenDragon]

Originally Posted by SHRacerX11

Ha ha. That could very well happen. I would much rather face Alex Smith than Rogers or Brees...

As a Bengals and 49ers fan. (yes, you can be both) I hope this happens.

[elmacho2004]

Originally Posted by GreenDragon

As a Bengals and 49ers fan. (yes, you can be both) I hope this happens.

If it does happen... Who do you cheer for? Bengals or 49ers?