Bleeds Orange

Yep, exactly. I hate SF but I've already seen a Stealers fan on X fretting that they might tie Good O Stealer Footbawwww with SIX RANGS, so there would at least be that pleasure. But yes, the most important outcome is to see Mahomes, Kelce, Brittany, and the pop singer completely dejected, preferably sobbing, following a season-ending loss. It means as much to me at this point as seeing Pittsburgh suffer.

Wasn't sure where to put this, so I guess here is as good a place as any... With today's announcement of the (apparent) death of Sports Illustrated, people on X are posting their favorite SI memories. That got me thinking about an issue and article that was significant to me. It happened during my favorite Bengals season of all time: 1981. When the December 14, 1981 issue arrived in my mailbox, I'm sure I couldn't believe what I was seeing, because there on the cover was an actual Bengals player, the first to ever be on the cover of SI, posed in the cool new jersey and striped helmet. But even more amazing than the cover was a quote from Collinsworth, where I saw the word "Bengals" and "Super Bowl" mentioned in the same paragraph for the first time in my life. At the time of that interview, the team had just beaten Houston to go to 6-3, one week before the shocking beatdown of the Chargers in San Diego. So to predict a Super Bowl for a team that had gone 4-12, 4-12, and 6-10 was pretty bold. I couldn't believe what I was reading, but I liked it. CATCH A CATCHING STAR: SI Vault - December 14, 1981

You had to go and bring that up. My football knowledge is average, at best, but I spend that whole afternoon screaming "Champ Bailey!" at the TV and throwing things. Even with my limited knowledge, I correctly predicted he was going to be great and Akili wasn't, and it has frustrated me for decades that Bengals management didn't see it that way, too. Akili was the worst pick of the six picks made before Bailey.

This is snot something we should be talking about.

How are our Browns fans feeling? Would you rather make the playoffs and get embarrassed like this, or not make it at all? Honestly, I'd rather my team not make it at all than have this happen on national TV. How sweet would it be to go to bed Monday night with Cleveland, Pittsburgh, and Kansas City all one-and-done?

Most people never think about this (especially those who don't even remember the Ravens being in Cleveland), but how strange would it be to have the two-time Super Bowl champion Browns with the #1 overall seed in this year's playoffs?

See, that's what I was thinking. People on Twitter are going all out to praise that hire, and his lack of experience was the first thing that came to mind, and it had me confused. I'm glad I'm not the only one who is skeptical. Hopefully we get them early next year, so maybe they won't have their act together yet.

Yeah, that's true, and the players themselves are from all sorts of geographic regions, so I sometimes wonder if the weather thing may not be overblown a bit. It always looks strange when Miami shows up in a frozen tundra in those aqua and orange uniforms, though. I think the Eagles and Buccs are two teams that are very lucky to have one another. One undeserving team is going to make it to the divisional round. I hope it's not Philadelphia because their coach seems like a major tool. That's not far off from mine, except that I've always had a soft spot for Tampa Bay, going all the way back to their beginnings in 1977. Always loved the orange uniforms and also love the Tampa area. Seeing them on the field reminds me of sunshine and great beaches and scenery.

Gonna be cold in KC. I assume this favors the home team? https://fox4kc.com/sports/chiefs/will-dolphins-vs-chiefs-wildcard-matchup-be-the-coldest-nfl-game-ever/

I'm an idiot. I was thinking they were playing Pittsburgh, even though I'd already looked at the matchups. Even better. Now I can root against KC and Pittsburgh the same weekend.

Mine is, was, and always will be "anybody but the Stealers", but "anybody but the Chiefs" is definitely in second place. I'll be a huge Chiefs fans this weekend <throws up in mouth a little>, then hoping they get completely embarrassed in the divisional round and Jackson Mahomes' brother has another hissy fit because something doesn't go his way. Icing on the cake if his wife and the pop singer are shown bawling their eyes out up in the suite. EDIT: Was thinking KC played Pittsburgh when I posted this. They're playing Miami, of course. So I obviously won't be rooting for KC.

Probably an unpopular opinion, but these stereotypical Gen Z social media attention seekers are tiresome. She got what she wanted, I guess, but to me she comes across as trying too hard, much like Mahomes' wife and the pop singer that dates Kelce.

Jacksonville shit the bed in Tennessee today. Thanks for nothing, Easter Island. 🙄 So now it looks like Pittsburgh will be at either Buffalo (if Buffalo wins) or Kansas City (if Buffalo loses), is that correct? Which would provide the best chance of them getting the absolute dog shit beaten out of them next week?

Bengals games were among the most-watched sporting events of calendar year 2023. The entire top 50 sporting events were all NFL games. 2. AFC Championship 6. Divisional Game 22. Wildcard Game 24. Last Sunday 27. At San Francisco 38. Hamlin Game Our friends in Cleveland and Pittsburgh did not appear in any of the top 50 games, and the team in Baltimore's only appearance was their playoff game against the Bengals. With no playoff games in calendar year 2024, the Bengals won't be on the list six times. The game at Kansas City will probably make it, and the rest will depend on how good we are and what prime time matchups we get. https://www.sportsmediawatch.com/2024/01/most-watched-sports-2023-nfl-sweeps-top-50-college-football-nba-mlb/

Following up on this comment from Amish from last month... Every year is obviously different, but as of now, the gap between the Bengals three 4th-place opponents and their other three division counterparts is stark. The chances appear pretty good that the Bengals will get maximum benefit from their 4th place finish. Thoughts? AFC East MIA 11-5 BUF 10-6 NYJ 6-10 NE 4-12 AFC South JAX 9-7 IND 9-7 HOU 9-7 TEN 5-11 NFC South TB 8-8 NO 8-8 ATL 7-9 CAR 2-14

I was hoping this would help Buffalo's chances against Miami Sunday night, since Pittsburgh needs a loss from either Buffalo or Jacksonville to get in, but the line has held at 3.

Saw this one on X...

I am the same. I thought they should have stuck with this all white combination in the Super Bowl. When I learned they were wearing black jerseys and Nemo pants, I turned to my son and said "They just chose to not win this thing." Despite the recent losses, I love this look. It's their best, along with the black over black. Would love the black over white if they'd fix the pants stripe to include both black and orange.

I ain't gonna lie. I kinda have issues with her. She's 34 and acts 15. Maybe it's because she didn't have a normal childhood, I don't know.

There was nothing about Pittsburgh that wasn't beatable, either, but we caught them at rock bottom, which is where KC is right now. I hope you're right, though.

That's Mile High Stadium in the foreground, Tiger Stadium in the background.

I'm not sure the Chiefs are still the Chiefs, but they'll spend the week seething in their anger over losing at home to the Raiders and come out strong against the Bengals. It's very predictable. Was really hoping not to catch them coming off a loss. Gonna make the Bengals job a lot harder.

My thinking has been that we want KC to beat the Raiders. Otherwise, they spend the week regrouping and soul searching and come up big next week against the Bengals. I'd rather catch them after they have spent the week comfortable.

Sucks to see playoff chances end. Especially sucks that it's to these bastards. How in hell does a team lose two home games to 2-10 teams and get embarrassed by a third, and then embarrass the Bengals like this?

Found this gem from last summer.