It's time to print the playoff tickets! At 7-2, and with four extremely easy games on tap, it's nearly impossible to imagine anything but a playoff berth for the tigers of 2009.What (besides a healthy Carson Palmer) is the difference between the 2008 and 2009 Bengals? I'm gonna say the pass rush. Cincinnati had zero sacks against the Steelers last season. This year, I don't have the exact count, but it is closer to five or six. And many of them came at crucial moments.
Despite multiple red zone trips by Pittsburgh, Cincinnati held the Steelers to mere field goals. After an unexpected Bernard Scott kickoff return for a touchdown, 4 FGs weren't going to cut it.
Although he missed a 51 yard field goal (which apparently would have been the longest ever at Heinz Field), Shayne Graham quickly remembered "Where-da-party"s at, making four clutch field goals. Brandon Johnson filled in admirably for the injured Keith Rivers, knocking down a key 3rd down pass. And Fanene, filling in for Antwan Odom, had two sacks. Plenty more accolades can and will be given, but in the meantime let's just rest assured that the 2009 Cincinnati Bengals are winners.
Nothing feels better than beating the Steelers. Except beating the Steelers twice!
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