1968-2013 Greatest Bengals Team Ever

[AmishBengalFan]

I have stumbled across a pro sports simulation website that is pre-loaded with historical rosters for every pro team in just about every pro sport for just about every year of that team's existence.  I've already simulated the 2005 Wild Card playoff game (the Bengals win every time Palmer's knee isn't taken out) and the 1988 Super Bowl (the Bengals win when Ickey scores, they lose when he doesn't).

 

What I've decided to do is to simulate a tournament comprised of all 46 Bengals teams, from 1968 through 2013.  Single-elimination, weather-neutral format.  To establish pairings, I've ranked the teams 1-46 based on (a) regular season record; (b) whether that team made the playoffs; (c) how deeply into the playoffs they went; (d) point differential; and (e) point scored.  The top 18 teams earned a bye directly into the First Rount, teams ranked 19-46 had to play in a preliminary round.

 

Teams are NOT re-seeded after each round... it's structured like the NCAA tourney, where the winner of THIS game is slotted to play the winner of THAT game.

 

The seeded teams are:

#1: 1975 Bengals (11-3) (P.Brown, K.Anderson)
#2: 1982 Bengals (7-2) (F.Gregg, K.Anderson)
#3: 1988 Bengals (12-4) (S.Wyche, B.Esiason)
#4: 1981 Bengals (12-4) (F.Gregg, K.Anderson)
#5: 1973 Bengals (10-4) (P.Brown, K.Anderson)
#6: 1976 Bengals (10-4) (T.Johnson, K.Anderson)
#7: 2013 Bengals (11-5) (M.Lewis, A.Dalton)
#8: 2005 Bengals (11-5) (M.Lewis, C.Palmer)
#9: 2012 Bengals (10-6) (M.Lewis, A.Dalton)
#10: 2009 Bengals (10-6) (M.Lewis, C.Palmer)
#11: 1986 Bengals (10-6) (S.Wyche, B.Esiason)
#12: 1970 Bengals (8-6) (P.Brown, V.Carter)
#13: 1972 Bengals (8-6) (P.Brown, K.Anderson)
#14: 1977 Bengals (8-6) (T.Johnson, K.Anderson)
#15: 1990 Bengals (9-7) (S.Wyche, B.Esiason)
#16: 2011 Bengals (9-7) (M.Lewis, A.Dalton)
#17: 1989 Bengals (8-8) (S.Wyche, B.Esiason)
#18: 2006 Bengals (8-8) (M.Lewis, C.Palmer)

 

And for fun, the bottom 5 teams are:
#42: 1994 Bengals (3-13) (D.Shila, J.Blake)
#43: 1993 Bengals (3-13) (D.Shula, D.Klingler)
#44: 1991 Bengals (3-13) (S.Wyche, B.Esiason)
#45: 1998 Bengals (3-13) (B.Coslet, N.O'Donnell)
#46: 2002 Bengals (2-14) (D.LeBeau, J.Kitna)

 

Here's a link if you want to play along at home:  http://www.whatifsports.com/nfl/default.asp

[AmishBengalFan]

Preliminary Round - Game 1 of 14

 

1971 Bengals (4-10) (Rank #33)
HC Paul Brown
QB Virgil Carter
RB Fred Willis
RB Essex Johnson
WR Chip Myers
WR Speedy Thomas
TE Bob Trumpy

 

at 1992 Bengals (5-11) (Rank #32)
HC Dave Shula
QB Boomer Esiason
RB Harold Green
RB Derrick Fenner
WR Tim McGee
WR Carl Pickens
TE Rodney Holman

 

Paul Brown Stadium

1971 Bengals 14-07-14-03 = 38
1992 Bengals 00-03-00-03 = 06

 

1971 Cincinnati Bengals
RUSHING    Att Yds 20+ L TD  
  '71 Essex Johnson 9 127 2 58 0  
  '71 Fred Willis 12 35 0 12 0  
  '71 Doug Dressler 4 23 0 11 0  
  '71 Jess Phillips 9 19 0 6 1  
  '71 Paul Robinson 1 1 0 1 0  
  '71 Eric Crabtree 1 1 0 1 1  
  '71 Virgil Carter 3 -5 0 -1 0

 

RECEIVING    Rec Yds 20+ 40+ L TD  
  '71 Chip Myers 4 55 0 0 18 1  
  '71 Speedy Thomas 3 40 1 0 21 1  
  '71 Bob Trumpy 3 39 0 0 18 0  
  '71 Fred Willis 3 29 0 0 11 1  
  '71 Eric Crabtree 3 27 0 0 11 0  
  '71 Jess Phillips 1 15 0 0 15 0  
  '71 Essex Johnson 1 15 0 0 15 0 

 

PASSING    Comp Att Yards TD INT  
  '71 Virgil Carter 18 22 220 3 0

 

1992 Cincinnati Bengals
RUSHING    Att Yds 20+ L TD  
  '92 Harold Green 18 70 0 18 0  
  '92 Derrick Fenner 9 35 0 16 0  
  '92 Eric Ball 3 2 0 4 0  
  '92 Boomer Esiason 1 0 0 0 0  

 

RECEIVING    Rec Yds 20+ 40+ L TD  
  '92 Jeff Query 2 46 1 0 31 0  
  '92 Rodney Holman 2 25 0 0 17 0  
  '92 Carl Pickens 1 23 1 0 23 0  
  '92 Tim McGee 1 18 0 0 18 0  
  '92 Reggie Rembert 2 17 0 0 10 0  
  '92 Harold Green 1 9 0 0 9 0 

 

PASSING    Comp Att Yards TD INT  
  '92 Boomer Esiason 9 27 138 0 2 

 

WINNER: 1971 Bengals 38-6

NEXT: Will play #1 Seeded 1975 Bengals

 

(Note - I'll not post lengthy game box-score stats for every game, just those from the Quarter-Finals onward, plus anything unusual that catches my eye  I just wanted you to see what the simulation result looks like.)

[scharm]

I've heard many vets claim that 1975 was the best Bengal team ever.     Also agree that 1982 strike year and then playoff upset was a missed opportunity.

 

 

Was it the simulation that put those teams as #1 and #2 over 1988 and 1981 teams? 

 

 

Agree, 93/94 Bengal teams were the worse squads ever assembled for this franchise.

[AmishBengalFan]

Preliminary Round - Game 2 of 14

 

1999 Bengals (4-12) (Rank #40)
HC Bruce Coslet
QB Jeff Blake
RB Corey Dillon
RB Michael Basnight
WR Darnay Scott
WR Carl Pickens
TE Tony McGee

 

at 1985 Bengals (7-9) (Rank #25)
HC Sam Wyche
QB Boomer Esiason
RB James Brooks
RB Larry Kinnebrew
WR Cris Collinsworth
WR Eddie Brown
TE Rodney Holman

 

Riverfront Stadium

1999 Bengals 07-07-00-21 = 35
1985 Bengals 03-00-07-07 = 17

 

WINNER: 1999 Bengals (35-17)
NEXT: Will play #8 Seeded 2005 Bengals

 

Preliminary Round - Game 3 of 14

 

1968 Bengals (3-11) (Rank #41)
HC Paul Brown
QB John Stofa
RB Paul Robinson
RB Warren McVea
WR Rod Sherman
WR Saint Saffold
TE Bob Trumpy

 

at 1983 Bengals (7-9) (Rank #24)
HC Forrest Gregg
QB Ken Anderson
RB Pete Johnson
RB Charles Alexander
WR Cris Collinsworth
WR Isaac Curtis
TE Dan Ross

 

Riverfront Stadium

1968 Bengals 00-03-00-00 = 03
1983 Bengals 07-13-07-10 = 37

 

WINNER: 1983 Bengals (37-3)
NEXT: Will play #9 Seeded 2012 Bengals

 

Prelimianry Round - Game 4 of 14

 

1978 Bengals (4-12) (Rank #36)
HC Homer Rice
QB Ken Anderson
RB Pete Johnson
RB Archie Griffin
WR Isaac Curtis
WR Billy Brooks
TE Don Bass

 

at 1980 Bengals (6-10) (Rank #29)
HC Forrest Gregg
QB Ken Anderson
RB Charles Alexander
RB Pete Johnson
WR Isaac Curtis
WR Don Bass
TE Dan Ross

 

Riverfront Stadium

1978 Bengals 07-07-00-08 = 22
1980 Bengals 00-10-07-13 = 30

 

WINNER: 1980 Bengals (30-22)
NEXT: Will play #4 Seeded 1981 Bengals

 

Preliminary Round - Game 5 of 14

 

1998 Bengals (3-13) (Rank #45)
HC Bruce Coslet
QB Neil O'donnell
RB Corey Dillon
RB Brandon Bennett
WR Carl Pickens
WR Darnay Scott
TE Tony McGee

 

at 1996 Bengals (8-8) (Rank #20)
HC Bruce Coslet
QB Jeff Blake
RB Garrison Hearst
RB Eric Bieniemy
WR Carl Pickens
WR Darnay Scott
TE Tony McGee

 

Riverfront Stadium

1998 Bengals 00-07-07-03 = 17
1996 Bengals 07-06-00-03 = 16

 

Final drive of the game, leading to Doug Pelfrey's game winner as time expires:
 

1998 Cincinnati (CI2) at 1:23
1:23 1/10 own 29 14 - 16 221 O'donnell overthrows Pickens and the pass is incomplete.
1:15 2/10 own 29 14 - 16 131 Milne carries, but is tackled for a loss of 2 yards.
1:11 3/12 own 27 14 - 16 131 *** 1998 Cincinnati (CI2) CALLS A TIMEOUT ***
1:11 3/12 own 27 14 - 16 041 O'donnell's underthrows Scott. Incomplete pass.
1:01 4/12 own 27 14 - 16 140 O'donnell's pass is to Scott who gets a few steps before being run out of bounds for a 16 yd gain.
0:53 1/10 own 43 14 - 16 131 O'donnell's short pass is to Scott who makes the catch and is run out of bounds for a 3 yd gain.
 PENALTY on CI2: Holding, 10 yards enforced on the CI2 43 - NO PLAY. 
0:48 1/20 own 33 14 - 16 131 Milne picks up 16 yards on a draw play before running out of bounds.
0:42 2/4 own 49 14 - 16 221 Dillon picks up 20 yards off tackle left.
0:19 1/10 31 14 - 16 221 Bennett gains 5 yards up the middle.
0:03 2/5 26 14 - 16 221 *** 1998 Cincinnati (CI2) CALLS A TIMEOUT ***
0:03 2/5 26 14 - 16 FG 1998 Cincinnati (CI2) prepares for a FG attempt.
Pelfrey's 43 yd. field goal is right down the middle!
Drive Summary: 7 plays, 55 yds, 1:15
 
WINNER: 1998 Bengals (17-16)
NEXT: Will play #13 Seed 1972 Bengals

[AmishBengalFan]

I've heard many vets claim that 1975 was the best Bengal team ever.     Also agree that 1982 strike year and then playoff upset was a missed opportunity.

 

 

Was it the simulation that put those teams as #1 and #2 over 1988 and 1981 teams? 

 

 

Agree, 93/94 Bengal teams were the worse squads ever assembled for this franchise.

 

Nope.  The simulated games have not yet been played.  I placed those teams at #1 and #2 based only on their winning percentages... the placement is merely a starting point, I'll let the simulation decide which team is best, I just needed to populate the single-elimination bracket somehow and seeding the teams made more sense than just randomly assigning pairings.

[|SF2|]

2005 was the most fun I had as a Bengals fan...until Kimo that is.  Fun team to watch.

[AmishBengalFan]

Preliminary Round - Game 6 of 14

 

2010 Bengals (4-12)  (Rank #37)
HC Marvin Lewis
QB Carson Palmer
RB Cedric Benson
RB Bernard Scott
WR Jordan Shipley
WR Andre Caldwell
TE Jermaine Gresham

 

at 1997 Bengals (7-9) (Rank #28)
HC Bruce Coslet
QB Jeff Blake
RB Corey Dillon
RB Ki-jana Carter
WR Darnay Scott
WR Carl Pickens
TE Tony McGee

 

Riverfront Stadium
2010 Bengals 07-13-00-03-03 = 26 OT
1997 Bengals 00-03-07-13-00 = 23

 

2010's Clint "Twisted" Stitser kicks the game-winner in OT after Dillon's 27 yard scamper at the end of regulation tied it up at 23.

 

WINNER: 2010 Bengals (26-23, ot)
NEXT: #5 Seed 1973 Bengals

 

Preliminary Round - Game 7 of 14

 

1991 Bengals (3-13) (Rank #44)
HC Sam Wyche
QB Boomer Esiason
RB Harold Green
RB James Brooks
WR Tim McGee
WR Eddie Brown
TE Rodney Holman

 

at 2004 Bengals (8-8) (Rank #21)
HC Marvin Lewis
QB Carson Palmer
RB Rudi Johnson
RB Kenny Watson
WR Chad Johnson
WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh
TE Matt Schobel

 

Paul Brown Stadium
1991 Bengals 00-07-07-14 = 28
2004 Bengals 00-03-03-07 = 13

 

WINNER: 1991 Bengals (28-13)
NEXT: #12 Seed 1970 Bengals

 

Preliminary Round - Game 8 of 14

 

2008 Bengals (Rank #34)
HC Marvin Lewis
QB Ryan Fitzpatrick
RB Cedric Benson
RB James Johnson
WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh
WR Chad Johnson
TE Reggie Kelly

 

at 1969 Bengals (Rank #31)
HC Paul Brown
QB Greg Cook
RB Jess Phillips
RB Paul Robinson
WR Eric Crabtree
WR Speedy Thomas
TE Bob Trumpy

 

Nippert Stadium
2008 Bengals 07-03-00-07 = 17
1969 Bengals 07-00-07-06 = 20

 

Greg Cook throws for 2 TDs and 221 yards against Dhani Jones and Leon Hall, while Paul Robinson earns player of the game honors with 106 combined yards from scrimmage.  Horst Muhlmann kicks a 50 yard FG with 2 minutes left to give the '69 Bengals the lead and the defense stymies Ryan Fitzpatrick resulting in 5 consecutive incompletions (there was an interference penalty in there) to earn the win for the Nippert Stadium crowd.

 

WINNER: 1969 Bengals (20-17)
NEXT: #2 Seeded 1982 Bengals

 

Preliminary Round - Game 9 of 14

 

2000 Bengals (4-12) (Rank #39)
HC Dick LeBeau
QB Akili Smith
RB Corey Dillon
RB Brandon Bennett
WR Peter Warrick
WR Craig Yeast
TE Tony McGee

 

at 2007 Bengals (7-9) (Rank #26)
HC Marvin Lewis
QB Carson Palmer
RB Kenny Watson
RB Rudi Johnson
WR Chad Johnson
WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh
TE Reggie Kelly

 

2000 Bengals 03-03-00-07 = 13
2007 Bengals 00-14-07-06 = 27

 

WINNER: 2007 Bengals (27-13)
NET: #7 Seeded 2013 Bengals

 

Preliminary Round - Game 10 of 14

 

1994 Bengals (3-13) (Rank #42)
HC Dave Shula
QB Jeff Blake
RB Derrick Fenner
RB Steve Broussard
WR Carl Pickens
WR Darnay Scott
TE Tony McGee

 

at 2003 Bengals (8-8) (Rank #23)
HC Marvin Lewis
QB Jon Kitna
RB Rudi Johnson
RB Corey Dillon
WR Chad Johnson
WR Peter Warrick
TE Matt Schobel

 

Paul Brown Stadium
1994 Bengals 10-14-00-10 = 34
2003 Bengals 07-10-07-09 = 33

 

An unbelievable upset, as the pathetic '94 Bengals score 10 points in the final 40 seconds, recovering an onside kick, to beat rookie HC Marvin Lewis!  Here's how the game ended, srarting with Shayne Graham's 3rd field goal of the quarter just after the 2 minute warning to put Lewis's Bengals up 33-24:

1:58 4/1 24 24 - 30 131 *** 2 Minute Warning ***
1:58 4/1 24 24 - 30 FG 2003 Cincinnati (CIN) prepares for a FG attempt.
Graham's 41 yd. field goal slips just inside the upright!
Drive Summary: 3 plays, 9 yds, 0:49
 
2003 Cincinnati (CIN) at 1:54
1:54 Kickoff own 30 24 - 33 K 2003 Cincinnati (CIN) prepares to kickoff.
1994 Cincinnati (CI2) catch the ball at the CI2 11 and return it to the CI2 40.
 
1994 Cincinnati (CI2) at 1:48
1:48 1/10 own 40 24 - 33 131 Blake is sacked by John Thornton for 5 yards. Blake loses the ball.
1994 Cincinnati (CI2) recovers the ball on the CI2 32.
 
1:38 2/18 own 32 24 - 33 131 *** 1994 Cincinnati (CI2) CALLS A TIMEOUT ***
1:38 2/18 own 32 24 - 33 212 Fenner gains 3 yards up the middle.
1:34 3/15 own 35 24 - 33 212 *** 1994 Cincinnati (CI2) CALLS A TIMEOUT ***
1:34 3/15 own 35 24 - 33 140 Blake's pass is to Pickens who catches the ball and makes one guy miss before getting knocked out of bounds for a 16 yd gain.
1:27 1/10 49 24 - 33 221 Broussard pounds ahead for 45 yards.
0:58 1/Goal 4 24 - 33 221 Blake overthrows Fenner in the endzone and the pass is incomplete.
0:51 2/Goal 4 24 - 33 221 Green picks up 2 yards on a draw play before running out of bounds.
0:47 3/Goal 2 24 - 33 221 Fenner pounds ahead for 1 yard.
0:43 4/Goal 1 24 - 33 221 *** 1994 Cincinnati (CI2) CALLS A TIMEOUT ***
0:43 4/Goal 1 24 - 33 212 Broussard pounds ahead for 1 yard.
1994 Cincinnati scores a touchdown!
 
0:40 PAT   30 - 33 FG 1994 Cincinnati (CI2) prepares for the extra point.
The extra point attempt is good.
Drive Summary: 8 plays, 63 yds, 1:08
 
1994 Cincinnati (CI2) at 0:40
0:40 Kickoff own 30 31 - 33 K 1994 Cincinnati (CI2) prepares for an onside kick.
1994 Cincinnati (CI2) recover the onside kick at the CI2 41.
 
0:40 1/10 own 41 31 - 33 221 Blake completes the pass to Scott who makes the catch and is run out of bounds for a 15 yd gain.
0:33 1/10 44 31 - 33 221 Fenner picks up 5 yards off tackle left, and is run out of bounds.
0:29 2/5 39 31 - 33 221 Cothran picks up 1 yard on a draw play before running out of bounds.
0:25 3/4 38 31 - 33 221 Blake hits Scott who catches the ball and makes one guy miss before getting tackled for a 13 yd gain.
0:07 1/10 25 31 - 33 221 Blake spikes the ball.
0:05 2/10 25 31 - 33 FG 1994 Cincinnati (CI2) prepares for a FG attempt.
Pelfrey's 42 yd. field goal is good!
Drive Summary: 13 plays, 97 yds, 1:43
 
WINNER: 2000 Bengals (34-33)
NEXT: #10 Seeded 2009 Bengals

[AmishBengalFan]

Preliminary Round - Game 11 of 14

 

1987 Bengals (4-11) (Rank #35)
HC Sam Wyche
QB Boomer Esiason
RB Larry Kinnebrew
RB Stanford Jennings
WR Eddie Brown
WR Cris Collinsworth
TE Rodney Holman

 

at 2001 Bengals (6-10) (Rank #30)
HC Dick LeBeau
QB Jon Kitna
RB Corey Dillon
RB Brandon Bennett
WR Darnay Scott
WR Peter Warrick
TE Tony Mcgee

 

Paul Brown Stadium
1987 Bengals 07-17-00-00 = 24
2001 Bengals 07-00-03-17 = 27

 

Twenty Second-half points lead the LeBeau Bengals to a win over Sam Wyche's crew.  Corey Dillon's 146 rushing yards and Chad Johnson's 92 receiving yards (and 1 TD) were the statistical highlights, but it was Dillons 5-yard TD run and 2 point conversion that tied the game after the 2 minute warning, and Neil Rackers' 30 yard chip-shot with 0:19 on the clock that secured the win.

 

WINNER: 2001 Bengals (27-24)
NEXT: #3 Seed 1988 Bengals

Preliminary Round - Game 12 of 14

 

2002 Bengals (2-14) (Rank #46 - DEAD LAST!)
HC Dick LeBeau
QB Jon Kitna
RB Corey Dillon
RB Brandon Bennett
WR Chad Johnson
WR Peter Warrick
TE Matt Schobel

 

at 1974 Bengals (7-7) (Rank #19)
HC Paul Brown
QB Ken Anderson
RB Charlie Davis
RB Lenvil Elliott
WR Isaac Curtis
WR Chip Myers
TE Bob Trumpy

 

Riverfront Stadium
2002 Bengals 03-03-00-00 = 06
1974 Bengals 00-06-07-14 = 27

 

Anderson puts the game away with back-to-back TD strikes to Isaac Curtis in the 4th quarter, while Boobie Clark's 44 rushing yards during the final posession iced the clock for the win.

 

WINNER: 1974 Bengals (27-6)
NEXT: #14 Seed 1977 Bengals

 

Prelimianry Round - Game 13 of 14

 

1999 Bengals (4-12) (Rank #40)
HC Bruce Coslet
QB Jeff Blake
RB Corey Dillon
RB Michael Basnight
WR Darnay Scott
WR Carl Pickens
TE Tony McGee

 

at 2007 Bengals (7-9) (Rank #26)
HC Marvin Lewis
QB Carson Palmer
RB Kenny Watson
RB Rudi Johnson
WR Chad Johnson
WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh
TE Reggie Kelly

 

Paul Brown Stadium
1999 Bengals 00-03-07-10 = 20
2007 Bengals 10-00-00-00 = 10

 

WINNER: 1999 Bengals (20-10)
NEXT: #6 Seed 1976 Bengals

 

Preliminary Round - Game 14 of 14

 

1993 Bengals (3-13) (Rank #43)
HC Dave Shula
QB David Klingler
RB Derrick Fenner
RB Harold Green
WR Jeff Query
WR Carl Pickens
TE Tony McGee

 

at 1984 Bengals (8-8) (Rank #22)
HC Sam Wyche
QB Ken Anderson
RB Larry Kinnebrew
RB Charles Alexander
WR Cris Collinsworth
WR Steve Kreider
TE M.L. Harris

 

Riverfront Stadium
1993 Bengals 00-03-00-00 = 03
1984 Bengals 07-17-00-03 = 27

 

A snooze-fest, as Wyche's crew completely shuts down David Klingler and Co.  Mike Brim earns player of the game honors with 2 INTs as Klingler only completed 7 passes for 92 yards.

 

WINNER: 1984 Bengals (20-10)
NEXT: #11 Seed 1986 Bengals

[AmishBengalFan]

With the preliminaries out of the way, here are the sixteen pairings for the First Round.

 

1971 at (#1) 1975

(#17) 1989 at (#16) 2011

1999 at (#8) 2005

1983 at (#9) 2012

-

1980 at (#4) 1981

1998 at (#13) 1972

2010 at (#5) 1973

1991 at (#12) 1970

-

1969 at (#2) 1982

(#18) 2006 at (#15) 1990

2007 at (#7) 2013

1994 at (#10) 2009

-

2001 at (#3) 1988

1974 at (#14) 1977

1999 at (#6) 1976

1984 at (#11) 1986

[AmishBengalFan]

First Round - Game 1 of 16

 

1971 Bengals (4-10)
HC Paul Brown
QB Virgil Carter
RB Fred Willis
RB Essex Johnson
WR Chip Myers
WR Speedy Thomas
TE Bob Trumpy

 

at (#1) 1975 Bengals (11-3)
HC Paul Brown
QB Ken Anderson
RB Boobie Clark
RB Lenvil Elliott
WR Isaac Curtis
WR Charlie Joiner
TE Bob Trumpy

 

Riverfront Stadium
1971 Bengals 00-00-00-00 = 00
1975 Bengals 07-17-03-07 = 34

 

Isaac Curtis 121 receiving, Boobie Clark 82 yards on the ground plus 44 more through the air, Kenny Anderson throws 20-31 for 321 and 2 TDs, Defense picks off Virgil Carter twice.  Absolute dominiation.

 

WINNER: 1975 Bengals (34-0)

 

First Round - Game 2 of 16

 

(#17) 1989 Bengals (8-8)
HC Sam Wyche
QB Boomer Esiason
RB James Brooks
RB Eric Ball
WR Tim McGee
WR Eddie Brown
TE Rodney Holman

 

at (#16) 2011 Bengals (9-7)
HC Marvin Lewis
QB Andy Dalton
RB Cedric Benson
RB Bernard Scott
WR A.J. Green
WR Jerome Simpson
TE Jermaine Gresham

 

Paul Brown Stadium
1989 Bengals 00-00-07-00 = 07
2011 Bengals 07-10-07-00 = 24

 

1st Quarter
CIN 7:24 TD Jermaine Gresham 7 yd. pass from Dalton (Nugent kick) 0-7
2nd Quarter
CIN 12:31 TD A.J. Green 28 yd. pass from Dalton (Nugent kick) 0-14
CIN 0:42 FG Mike Nugent 47 yds.  0-17
3rd Quarter
CIN 9:40 TD Brian Leonard 11 yd. run (Nugent kick) 0-24
CI2 0:24 TD Tim McGee 19 yd. pass from Esiason (Breech kick) 7-24

 

The game wasn't even as close as the 17-point margin would lead you to believe. 

 

WINNER: 2011 Bengals (24-7)

 

Round of 16 Matchup: (#16) 2011 Bengals at (#1) 1975 Bengals

 

First Round - Game 3 of 16

 

1999 Bengals (4-12)
HC Bruce Coslet
QB Jeff Blake
RB Corey Dillon
RB Michael Basnight
WR Darnay Scott
WR Carl Pickens
TE Tony McGee

 

at (#8) 2005 Bengals (11-5)
HC Marvin Lewis
QB Carson Palmer
RB Rudi Johnson
RB Chris Perry
WR Chad Johnson
WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh
TE Matt Schobel

 

Paul Brown Stadium
1999 Bengals 07-10-14-00 = 31
2005 Bengals 00-09-07-18 = 34

 

Oh, what might have been.  The 2005 Stripes protect Palmer's knee long enough for a furious 4th quarter comeback against the over-achieving Coslet Crew.  Palmer tosses 3 TDs in the final 20 minutes of the game, and Rudi Johnson's domination on the ground, outrushing Corey Dillon 125 to 57, all keyed Lewis's Bengals to victory.

 

SCORING SUMMARY
1st Quarter
CI2 4:36 TD Michael Basnight 2 yd. run (Pelfrey kick) 7-0
2nd Quarter
CIN 13:30 FG Shayne Graham 30 yds.  7-3
CI2 9:04 TD Corey Dillon 5 yd. pass from Blake (Pelfrey kick) 14-3
CIN 1:32 FG Shayne Graham 27 yds.  14-6
CI2 0:39 FG Doug Pelfrey 50 yds.  17-6
CIN 0:00 FG Shayne Graham 41 yds.  17-9
3rd Quarter
CI2 9:30 TD Sedrick Shaw 1 yd. run (Pelfrey kick) 24-9
CIN 5:02 TD Chad Johnson 3 yd. pass from Palmer (Graham kick) 24-16
CI2 1:21 TD Corey Dillon 4 yd. run (Pelfrey kick) 31-16
4th Quarter
CIN 9:32 TD Matt Schobel 9 yd. pass from Palmer (Graham kick) 31-23
CIN 3:22 FG Shayne Graham 37 yds.  31-26
CIN 1:53 TD T.J. Houshmandzadeh 17 yd. pass from Palmer (Perry 2-PT conversion) 31-34

 

WINNER: 2005 Bengals (34-31)

 

First Round - Game 4 of 16

 

1983 Bengals (7-9)
HC Forrest Gregg
QB Ken Anderson
RB Pete Johnson
RB Charles Alexander
WR Cris Collinsworth
WR Isaac Curtis
TE Dan Ross

 

at (#9) 2012 Bengals (10-6)
HC Marvin Lewis
QB Andy Dalton
RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis
RB Brian Leonard
WR A.J. Green
WR Marvin Jones
TE Jermaine Gresham

 

Paul Brown Stadium
1983 Bengals 10-06-00-07 = 23
2012 Bengals 00-09-03-00 = 12

 

The '12 Bengals could only muster 4 Josh Brown FGs as Pete Johnson and Charles Alexander provided book-end TDs in the 1st and 4th quarters as the '83 Bengals cruised to victory.

 

WINNER: 1983 Bengals (23-13)

 

Round of 16 Matchup: 1983 Bengals at (#8) 2005 Bengals

[scharm]

Glad I didn't bet on the 1994/2003 Bengals game.    No way on paper does 1994 win but at least it was settled on the field.

[AmishBengalFan]

First Round - Game 5 of 16

 

1980 Bengals (6-10)
HC Forrest Gregg
QB Ken Anderson
RB Charles Alexander
RB Pete Johnson
WR Isaac Curtis
WR Don Bass
TE Dan Ross

 

at (#4) 1981 Bengals (12-4)
HC Forrest Gregg
QB Ken Anderson
RB Pete Johnson
RB Charles Alexander
WR Cris Collinsworth
WR Isaac Curtis
TE Dan Ross

 

Riverfront Stadium
1980 Bengals 00-00-00-00 = 00
1981 Bengals 07-03-07-10 = 27

 

Add some stripes and a lanky rookie WR named Cris and you go to the Super Bowl.  At least that's what Forrest Gregg's 1981 bunch proved, and apparently the simulation backs that up.  The star of the game today, however, was '81 Pete Johnson, who scored twice and even outcaught Collinsworth 3-22 vs 1-7.  His 67 yards for the '81 Bengals led all players.  Interestingly enough, Glenn Cameron recorded 13 combined tackles - 7 for the '80 Bengals and 6 more for the '81 Bengals - leading the team both times.

 

WINNER:  1981 Bengals (27-0)

 

First Round - Game 6 of 16

 

1998 Bengals (3-13)
HC Bruce Coslet
QB Neil O'donnell
RB Corey Dillon
RB Brandon Bennett
WR Carl Pickens
WR Darnay Scott
TE Tony McGee

at (#13) 1972 Bengals (8-6)
HC Paul Brown
QB Ken Anderson
RB Essex Johnson
RB Doug Dressler
WR Chip Myers
WR Speedy Thomas
TE Bob Trumpy

 

Riverfront Stadium
1998 Bengals 00-17-00-10-00 = 27 ot
1972 Bengals 10-00-07-10-06 = 33

 

PB had to be shaking his head in disbelief, looking across the turf at Riverfront to see Neil Freaking O'Donnell starting for the Bengals - and then again when it took an Essex Johnson OVERTIME touchdown to beat O'Donnell's team.

 

SCORING SUMMARY
1st Quarter
CIN 8:50 FG Horst Muhlmann 37 yds.  0-3
CIN 3:35 TD Doug Dressler 26 yd. pass from Anderson (Muhlmann kick) 0-10
2nd Quarter
CI2 14:56 TD Brandon Bennett 5 yd. run (Pelfrey kick) 7-10
CI2 8:52 TD Damon Gibson 8 yd. pass from O'donnell (Pelfrey kick) 14-10
CI2 1:42 FG Doug Pelfrey 23 yds.  17-10
3rd Quarter
CIN 12:41 TD Essex Johnson 11 yd. run (Muhlmann kick) 17-17
4th Quarter
CIN 12:23 TD Bob Trumpy 7 yd. pass from Anderson (Muhlmann kick) 17-24
CI2 9:55 TD Corey Dillon 38 yd. run (Pelfrey kick) 24-24
CI2 2:01 FG Doug Pelfrey 56 yds.  27-24
CIN 0:00 FG Horst Muhlmann 34 yds.  27-27
OT 1
CIN 2:52 TD Essex Johnson 1 yd. run 27-33

 

Here are the stat lines for this slug-fest:

 

1972 Cincinnati Bengals
RUSHING    Att Yds 20+ L TD  
  '72 Essex Johnson 22 145 2 46 2  
  '72 Doug Dressler 14 66 0 19 0  
  '72 Jess Phillips 5 21 0 12 0  
  '72 Ken Anderson 2 8 0 7 0  
  '72 Fred Willis 1 2 0 2 0  
  '72 Charlie Joiner 1 0 0 0 0 

RECEIVING    Rec Yds 20+ 40+ L TD  
  '72 Chip Myers 7 84 0 0 16 0  
  '72 Bob Trumpy 6 56 0 0 15 1  
  '72 Doug Dressler 2 37 1 0 26 1  
  '72 Charlie Joiner 3 33 0 0 13 0  
  '72 Speedy Thomas 2 17 0 0 15 0  
  '72 Essex Johnson 1 15 0 0 15 0

PASSING    Comp Att Yards TD INT  
  '72 Ken Anderson 21 35 242 2 0

 

1998 Cincinnati Bengals
RUSHING    Att Yds 20+ L TD  
  '98 Corey Dillon 15 149 2 46 1  
  '98 Brandon Bennett 10 70 1 32 1  
  '98 Eric Bieniemy 2 37 1 35 0  
  '98 Carl Pickens 1 1 0 1 0  
  '98 Neil O'donnell 2 -1 0 2 0 

RECEIVING    Rec Yds 20+ 40+ L TD  
  '98 Carl Pickens 6 128 1 1 60 0  
  '98 Darnay Scott 4 24 0 0 12 0  
  '98 Damon Gibson 2 20 0 0 12 1  
  '98 James Hundon 1 19 0 0 19 0  
  '98 Corey Dillon 3 13 0 0 7 0  
  '98 Eric Bieniemy 1 13 0 0 13 0  
  '98 Brian Milne 1 5 0 0 5 0

PASSING    Comp Att Yards TD INT  
  '98 Neil O'donnell 16 32 197 1 0  
  '98 Jeff Blake 2 3 25 0 0 

 

I would've paid real money to see this game.  Thank god PB won - I'm not certain I could stomach Neil freaking O'donnell being in the Round of 16.

 

WINNER: 1972 Bengals (33-27 OT)

 

Round of 16 Matchup: (#13) 1972 Bengals at (#4) 1981 Bengals

[AmishBengalFan]

First Round - Game 7 of 16

 

2010 Bengals (4-12)
HC Marvin Lewis
QB Carson Palmer
RB Cedric Benson
RB Bernard Scott
WR Jordan Shipley
WR Andre Caldwell
TE Jermaine Gresham

 

at (#5) 1973 Bengals (10-4)
HC Paul Brown
QB Ken Anderson
RB Essex Johnson
RB Boobie Clark
WR Isaac Curtis
WR Charlie Joiner
TE Bob Trumpy

 

Riverfront Stadium
2010 Bengals 00-14-00-00 = 14
1973 Bengals 10-21-00-07 = 38

 

Boobie Clark's back-to-back TDs in the 2nd quarter put this game away by halftime, but player of the game honors went to Kenny Anderson, who threw 16-24-236 with 3 TDs and 0 INTs EVEN WITH Essex and Boobie rusing the ball 35 times.

 

WINNER: 1973 Bengals (38-14)

 

First Round - Game 8 of 16

 

1991 Bengals (3-13)
HC Sam Wyche
QB Boomer Esiason
RB Harold Green
RB James Brooks
WR Tim McGee
WR Eddie Brown
TE Rodney Holman

 

at (#12) 1970 Bengals (8-6)
HC Paul Brown
QB Virgil Carter
RB Jess Phillips
RB Paul Robinson
WR Chip Myers
WR Speedy Thomas
TE Bob Trumpy

 

Riverfront Stadium
1991 Bengals 14-06-03-03 = 26
1970 Bengals 07-03-03-07 = 20

 

Fresh off their preliminary round upset, the '91 Bengals collect another scalp.  PB yanked Virgil Carter out in the 3rd quarter after watching him go 12-27-167 with 1 TD and 2 INTs, inserting backup QB Sam Wyche in an obvious attempt to confuse his coaching protege.  It didn't work, as the Wyche-led '91 Bengals methodically chewed up ground and settled for a series of Jim Breech chip-shot FGs, denying the Wyche-led '70 Bengals the ball and time do to anything with it.  The last-minute TD run by Speedy Thomas made it a one-score game, but a flubbed onside kick attempt sealed the deal.

 

WINNER: 1991 Bengals (26-20)

 

Round of 16 Matchup:  1991 Bengals at (#5) 1973 Bengals

[|Numbers|]

Pretty extreme set of " What Ifs "  I enjoyed the pleasurable experience down memory lane also.  I do honestly wonder how well Forrest Gregg could have done with todays Bengals ?  I was ecstatic to have Jim McNally back with the Bengals but I also wonder how much of Forrest Gregg rubbed off during McNally's early years ?  Forrest Gregg initially was an O Line coach and player.  One of the best if not the very best at what he did.  IMHO

[AmishBengalFan]

First Round - Game 9 of 16

 

1969 Bengals (4-9-1)
HC Paul Brown
QB Greg Cook
RB Jess Phillips
RB Paul Robinson
WR Eric Crabtree
WR Speedy Thomas
TE Bob Trumpy

 

at (#2) 1982 Bengals (7-2)
HC Forrest Gregg
QB Ken Anderson
RB Pete Johnson
RB Charles Alexander
WR Cris Collinsworth
WR Isaac Curtis
TE Dan Ross

 

Riverfront Stadium
1969 Bengals 06-00-00-07 = 13
1982 Bengals 10-14-03-13 = 40

 

In one of the most highly-anticipated matchups of the round, Greg Cook steps onto the turf of Riverfront Stadium to take on - arguably - one of the best Bengal teams EVER.  By the time the game was over, however, Cook probably wished he hadn't.  Forrest Gregg's squad, fresh off their 1981 AFC Championship and well-rested due to the strike-shortened 9-game season, absolutely WALLOPS Cook and the '69 Bengals 40-13.  Once again, PB turned to backup QB Sam Wyche to try to finagle a win, but except for a pretty 13 yard TD pass to Tommie Smith at the start of the 4th Quarter, it was really just a lost cause.

 

WINNER: 1982 Bengals (40-13)

 

First Round - Game 10 of 16

 

(#18) 2006 Bengals (8-8)
HC Marvin Lewis
QB Carson Palmer
RB Rudi Johnson
RB Kenny Watson
WR Chad Johnson
WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh
TE Reggie Kelly

 

at (#15) 1990 Bengals (9-7)
HC Sam Wyche
QB Boomer Esiason
RB James Brooks
RB Harold Green
WR Tim McGee
WR Eddie Brown
TE Rodney Holman

 

Riverfront Stadium
2006 Bengals 14-03-00-09 = 26
1990 Bengals 03-06-03-06 = 18

 

It was the T.J. Houshmandzadeh show, scoring 2 TDs, including the go-ahead score with 5:00 to play, as he hauled in 6 balls for 101 yards, including a 20+ and a 40+ pair of completions.  Boomer outgained Palmer 225-214, but Palmer's 3 TDs were three more than Boomer managed

 

WINNER: 2006 Bengals

 

Round of 16 Matchup: (#18) 2006 Bengals at (#2) 1982 Bengals

[AmishBengalFan]

I need to suspend this for a while - will attempt to pick back up this evening.

 

Remaining First Round Matches:

2007 at 2013

1994 at 2009

2001 at 1988

1974 at 1977

1999 at 1976

1984 at 1986

 

And the first 5 R16 Matches are:

2011 at 1975

1983 at 2005

1972 at 1981

1991 at 1973

2006 at 1982

[scharm]

Going from memory 1991 would be a dark horse.    It really was an underachieving team that had talent.

 

I think they covered a number of games but had tough losses early to Houston at home and mabye Redskins at home and just got off course.

[HairOnFire]

If anyone is interested I've got four tickets to the 1999 at 1976 game for sale.

 

Great seats. Half price.

 

PM me for the details about where to send me the money.

 

Thanks in advance.

[Oldcat]

I did a quick set of games and 2013 Cincy beat 2005 (OT), 1975 (OT), 1981, 1986 then narrowly lost to 1988 on the "road".  (86 was a mishit, tiny numbers).

 

The games seemed to have the flavor of our games.  One game AD had 4 picks, Rex Burkhead fumbled at the opponent 1 yard line...still built a big lead.  Lost it at the end, but won in OT.  Kind of like the Buffalo and Detroit games last year.

[AmishBengalFan]

Preliminary Round - Game 11 of 16

 

2007 Bengals (7-9)
HC Marvin Lewis
QB Carson Palmer
RB Kenny Watson
RB Rudi Johnson
WR Chad Johnson
WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh
TE Reggie Kelly

 

at 2013 (#7) Bengals (11-5)
HC Marvin Lewis
QB Andy Dalton
RB Giovani Bernard
RB Chris Pressley
WR A.J. Green
WR Cobi Hamilton
TE Jermaine Gresham

 

Paul Brown Stadium
2007 Bengals 00-03-03-06-03 = 15 ot
2013 Bengals 00-06-03-03-00 = 12

 

Shayne Graham 5, Mike Nugent 4.  Dalton and Palmer both threw for under 200 yards with 2 picks.  Totally forgettable game unless you're Bengal Sis.  :)

 

WINNER: 2007 Bengals (15-12 OT)

 

Preliminary Round - Game 12 of 16

 

1994 Bengals (3-13)
HC Dave Shula
QB Jeff Blake
RB Derrick Fenner
RB Steve Broussard
WR Carl Pickens
WR Darnay Scott
TE Tony McGee

 

at 2009 (#10) Bengals (10-6)
HC: Marvin Lewis
QB Carson Palmer
RB Cedric Benson
RB Larry Johnson
WR Chad Ochocinco
WR Andre Caldwell
TE J.P. Foschi

 

Paul Brown Stadium
1994 Bengals 03-03-07-00 = 13
2009 Bengals 00-00-07-00 = 7

 

The Shula/Blake juggernaut continues to roll.  After their miraculous 34-33 come-from-behind-with-10-points-in-the-last-minute victory over the 2003 "Guarantee" Bengals, the '94 Bengals get huge bames from Brett Wallerstedt, Ricardo McDonald, Bracy Walker, and a whole host of other foregettable defensive players, who stifle Ced Benson and Chad Ochocinco, limiting both of them to under 40 yards, while picking off Palmer THREE TIMES in the red zone.  Though the '94 squad is statistically the fifth-worst team in all of Bengals history, they're making a case to be #1 in your heart.

 

Uhhh... well, no.

 

WINNER: 1994 Bengals (13-7)

 

Round of 16 Matchup: 1994 Bengals at 2007 Bengals

[AmishBengalFan]

Preliminary Round - Game 13 of 16

 

2001 Bengals (6-10)
HC Dick LeBeau
QB Jon Kitna
RB Corey Dillon
RB Brandon Bennett
WR Darnay Scott
WR Peter Warrick
TE Tony Mcgee

 

at (#3) 1988 Bengals (12-4)
HC Sam Wyche
QB Boomer Esiason
RB Ickey Woods
RB James Brooks
WR Eddie Brown
WR Tim McGee
TE Rodney Holman

 

Riverfront Stadium
2001 Bengals 07-00-00-00 = 7
1988 Bengals 07-06-10-07 = 30

 

There are some who look at Sam Wyche's 1987 and 1988 Bengals and see a lot of simlarities.  Same coach, same coordinators, same QB, same receivers.  But while one team played to a pathetic 4-11 result, the other ran to the Super Bowl with a 12-4 record.  Was it all attitude, or did Ickey Woods /really/ make that much a difference?  Dick LeBeau's 2001 Bengals, fresh off their win against Wyche's 1987 4-11 squad, got a chance to set the record straight once and for all...  could they do to the '88 team what they did to the '87 team?

 

In a word: no.

 

After LeBeau's team went up 7-0 on the opening drive (Brandon Bennett 3 yard run), Esiason took control of the game, racking up 250 yards in the first half.  Alas, too many drives ended with turnovers of Field Goals, and aside for a 14 yard pass to Tim McGee, the '88 side were up only 13-7 at the half.  But then Ickey Woods checked in... The Ickster ripped off TD runs of 46 and 47 yards on consecutive posessions to blow the game wide open.  Sure, Corey Dillon rushed for 103 yards, but Ickey's 15 attemps for 172 and 2 TDs more than settled the matter, and Fulcher's interception of Kitna's last-ditch hail mary at the end of the game was a fitting end.

 

WINNER: 1988 Bengals (30-7)

Preliminary Round - Game 14 of 16

 

1974 Bengals (7-7)
HC Paul Brown
QB Ken Anderson
RB Charlie Davis
RB Lenvil Elliott
WR Isaac Curtis
WR Chip Myers
TE Bob Trumpy

at (#14) 1977 Bengals (8-6)
HC Tiger Johnson
QB Ken Anderson
RB Archie Griffin
RB Pete Johnson
WR Billy Brooks
WR Isaac Curtis
TE Bob Trumpy

Riverfront Stadium
1974 Bengals 28-09-07-00 = 44
1977 Bengals 00-00-03-07 = 10

 

It had to be weird, seeing Kenny Anderson, Isaac Curtis and Bob Trumpy line up on BOTH teams.  It had to be even weirder to see one set of them so utterly dominate and out-play the other set as badly as they did.  PB's '74 squad scored on their first five posessions, ever one of them ending with an Anderson strike.  '74 Anderson finished the game 17-23-301 with SIX TDs, while '77 Anderson went 8-26-90, 1 TD and 2 INTs, and was replaced in the 2nd half by John Reaves, trailing 44-0.  Reaves was ineffective, so '77 Anderson returned for the final series, managing a spite TD with little over 5 minutes left.

 

Scoring Summary:

1st Quarter
CI2 13:54 TD Charlie Davis 16 yd. pass from Anderson (Muhlmann kick) 7-0
CI2 11:13 TD John McDaniel 41 yd. pass from Anderson (Muhlmann kick) 14-0
CI2 8:18 TD Lenvil Elliott 9 yd. pass from Anderson (Muhlmann kick) 21-0
CI2 1:22 TD Charlie Joiner 76 yd. pass from Anderson (Muhlmann kick) 28-0
2nd Quarter
CI2 14:12 TD Charlie Davis 5 yd. pass from Anderson (Muhlmann missed extra point) 34-0
CI2 4:08 FG Horst Muhlmann 28 yds.  37-0
3rd Quarter
CI2 14:40 TD Bob Trumpy 19 yd. pass from Anderson (Muhlmann kick) 44-0
CIN 8:50 FG Chris Bahr 22 yds.  44-3
4th Quarter
CIN 5:44 TD Isaac Curtis 13 yd. pass from Anderson (Bahr kick) 44-10

 

WINNER: 1977 Bengals (44-10)

 

Round of 16 Matchup:  1974 Bengals at (#3) 1988 Bengals

[AmishBengalFan]

Preliminary Round - Game 15 of 16

 

1999 Bengals (4-12)
HC Bruce Coslet
QB Jeff Blake
RB Corey Dillon
RB Michael Basnight
WR Darnay Scott
WR Carl Pickens
TE Tony McGee

 

at (#6) 1976 Bengals (10-4)
HC Tiger Johnson
QB Ken Anderson
RB Boobie Clark
RB Archie Griffin
WR Isaac Curtis
WR Chip Myers
TE Bob Trumpy

 

Riverfront Stadium
1999 Bengals 00-09-02-06 = 17
1976 Bengals 14-10-07-07 = 38

 

The Coslet/Blake juggernaut from earlier in this round forgot to show up.  Five Pelfrey FGs and versus Five Anderson TDs (to Boobie Clark, Chip Myers, Trumpy, Myers again and Curtis) means you lose - big time.  The '76 Bengals coasted, opening the scoring 62 seconds into the game and they never, EVER looked back.

 

WINNER: 1976 Bengals (38-17)

Preliminary Round - Game 16 of 16

 

1984 Bengals (8-8)
HC Sam Wyche
QB Ken Anderson
RB Larry Kinnebrew
RB Charles Alexander
WR Cris Collinsworth
WR Steve Kreider
TE M.L. Harris

 

at (#11) 1986 Bengals (10-6)
HC Sam Wyche
QB Boomer Esiason
RB James Brooks
RB Larry Kinnebrew
WR Cris Collinsworth
WR Eddie Brown
TE Rodney Holman

 

Riverfront Stadium
1984 Bengals 00-10-07-00 = 17
1986 Bengals 23-00-07-12 = 42

 

When was the last time you saw a Bengals D tally TWO safeties in the same game?  Well, if you weren't sitting at my computer today then you still haven't see it.  This game was over before it began... hell, read the first 5 minutes yourself:

 

1986 Cincinnati (CIN) at 15:00
15:00 Kickoff own 30 0 - 0 K 1986 Cincinnati (CIN) prepares to kickoff.
1984 Cincinnati (CI2) catch the ball at the CI2 7 and return it to the CI2 20.
 
1984 Cincinnati (CI2) at 14:54
14:54 1/10 own 20 0 - 0 131 Anderson's pass is intercepted.
Louis Breeden returns the interception to the CI2 19.
 
1986 Cincinnati (CIN) at 14:48
14:48 1/10 19 0 - 0 221 Esiason hits Collinsworth. Catch is good and Collinsworth gets into the endzone.
1986 Cincinnati scores a touchdown!
14:40 PAT   0 - 6 FG 1986 Cincinnati (CIN) prepares for the extra point.
The extra point attempt is good.
Drive Summary: 1 plays, 19 yds, 0:08
 
1986 Cincinnati (CIN) at 14:40
14:40 Kickoff own 30 0 - 7 K 1986 Cincinnati (CIN) prepares to kickoff.
1984 Cincinnati (CI2) catch the ball at the CI2 2 and return it to the CI2 28.
 PENALTY on CI2: Holding, 2 yards enforced on the CI2 5. 
1984 Cincinnati (CI2) at 14:31
14:31 1/10 own 3 0 - 7 221 Kinnebrew gains 1 yard on a sweep left.
13:53 2/9 own 4 0 - 7 221 Kinnebrew carries, but is tackled for no gain.
13:13 3/9 own 4 0 - 7 140 Anderson is sacked by Ross Browner for 4 yards.
1986 Cincinnati scores a safety!
 
1984 Cincinnati (CI2) at 13:08
13:08 Kickoff own 20 0 - 9 K 1984 Cincinnati (CI2) prepares for a safety kick.
1986 Cincinnati (CIN) catch the ball at the CIN 41 and return it to the CI2 39.
 PENALTY on CIN: Holding, 10 yards enforced on the CIN 41. 
1986 Cincinnati (CIN) at 13:00
13:00 1/10 own 31 0 - 9 131 Esiason tosses the ball out to Holman. Catch is good and Holman speeds down field for a 40 yd gain.
12:15 1/10 29 0 - 9 221 Esiason scrambles for no gain.
11:30 2/10 29 0 - 9 221 Brooks picks up 14 yards off tackle left.
10:45 1/10 15 0 - 9 221 Kinnebrew picks up 3 yards on a draw play.
10:06 2/7 12 0 - 9 212 Esiason overthrows Kinnebrew and the pass is incomplete.
10:00 3/7 12 0 - 9 140 Esiason hits McGee who makes the catch and falls forward into the endzone.
1986 Cincinnati scores a touchdown!
9:55 PAT   0 - 15 FG 1986 Cincinnati (CIN) prepares for the extra point.
The extra point attempt is good.
Drive Summary: 6 plays, 69 yds, 3:05
 
First play of the game, Anderson is intercepted by Louis Breeden, and Esiason hits Collinsworth with a 19-yard TD on the next play.  Holding on the kickoff return backs Anderson's team up the the 3, and after Kinnebrew can't punch the ball out after two tries, Anderson gets sacked by Ross Browner for a saftey.  After the ensuring punt puts Esiason on his own 31, he hits Rodney Holman for a 40 yard gain on the first play, and 5 plays later he hits Tim McGee - Bengals 16, Bengals 0, and the game was only 5 minutes old.

 

WINNER: 1986 Bengals

 

Round of 16 Matchup: (#11) 1986 Bengals at (#6) 1976 Bengals

[AmishBengalFan]

The Round of Sixteen (Second Round) pairings are:

 

(#16) 2011 at (#1) 1975
1983 at (#8) 2005
(#13) 1972 at (#4) 1981
1991 at (#5) 1973

-

(#18) 2006 at (#2) 1982
1994 at 2007
1974 at (#3) 1988
(#11) 1986 at (#6) 1976

[scharm]

I'm just going to say if the 1994 Bengals end up being the best Bengal team ever then that simulator ain't worth a shit.

 

Does anyone truly believe Shake n' Blake with Pickens, Dunn, and Scott  punk Zimmer with J.Joe and Hall who in that year both could have/should have been Pro Bowlers?

 

No way. 

[HairOnFire]

So sweetheart Andy Dalton wins only one of his four fake playoff games?

 

I'm guessing somewhere 26 NFL insiders are reading this and nodding their anonymous heads in agreement.

 

Very thought provoking.