The Anti-Christ Regresses to the Mean (AKA Bengals At The Bye)

If you can seriously look me in the eye and tell me that Andy Dalton might not be the anti-Christ, then I’ve got a bridge to sell you.

Three weeks ago it appeared that the Cincinnati Bengals were the class of the AFC North this year.  Which at the time wasn’t saying much considering the rest of that division had performed like Alzheimer’s patients having just eaten ‘shrooms up to that point.

The Bengals got off to a 4-1 start, including road wins in Indy and Atlanta.  Then reality set in and they remembered who they are.

1-2 the last three weeks, including a pasting of gargantuan proportions at the hands of Andy Reid’s merry band of Chefs (great googly moogly).

Sitting now at 5-3, they’re still in the hunt for the playoffs, of course.  But that’s not gonna happen.

Seriously, how many of those remaining games you think they have a realistic shot at?  Their defense has collapsed, and AJ Green’s big toe is acting up again.  Which I’m kinda happy about because I have Tyler Boyd on my fantasy team so the less playing time Green gets, the more points I get.  Maybe I can finally get back into the win column before the year is over.  It’s been six damned weeks and I’m getting really tired of losing to you pinheads.

But I digress…

Here, read this…

Cincinnati Bengals midseason review: Hot start has cooled off (StripeHype.com)

MVP:

Quarterback Andy Dalton has been the saving grace of this team, with Joe Mixon running a close second. While Dalton has cooled down some the last few weeks after a hot start (and still has many of the same concerns that we have always had with him) he has made some big-time throws at the end of the games to win games or put the Bengals in position to win. Andy Dalton currently is on pace to throw 34 touchdowns, which would be a career high.

Rookie of the Year:

Safety Jessie Bates is performing like a seasoned pro. The Bengals have a history of finding their best players in the 2nd round, and it looks like they may have struck gold again. Bates is not only the best rookie on the Bengals team, but he is also one of the best rookies in the NFL and should be in the running for the NFL Rookie of the Year.

With three interceptions already this season, Bates has graded out as one of the top safeties in the NFL according to Pro Football Focus and gives the Bengals something they haven’t had since Reggie Nelson left – a play-making safety.

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Welp, that’s all I know about the Bengals, and it’s more than I need to know.

Just don’t look at that image of Andy Dalton for too long.  Even through photographs I think he can eat your soul.

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