The first half of the Monday Night Football game ended in a 17-0 lead for the Bengals. Not what anybody expected, not a single person. The Bengals started their third string quarterback and their second running back. The o-line is still the same, for the most part, as it's been all season. So, what the heck was going on? As a fan, I was unbelievably excited as well as shocked at all that was happening. But could the Bengals actually hold on and win a prime time game against the hated Steelers? The answer is Yes! The Bengals kept their first half lead and added ten more points to eventually win 27-17.
The Steelers helped out the Bengals and did all they could to lose in the first half, with two lost fumbles and an interception, all leading to points for Cincinnati. Giovanni Bernard ran the ball well and mistakes were not made by the Bengals, at least not costly ones. The second half however, looked like things were going to end the way things usually do for the Bengals and Cincinnati teams in general. But, in the end, the deficit was too much for the reeling Steelers to overcome, and the Bengals shocked the once 11-0 Steelers and the whole NFL.
The announcers said it best when they said this was the Bengals' Super Bowl. In a lost season with nothing to play for, except for pride, the beleaguered Bengals gave us Cincinnati fans an early Christmas present by upsetting the division leading Steelers. And by doing so, they catapulted the Bills into the number two spot in the playoff race. So, you're welcome Buffalo!
This article was a lot more fun to write than most I've written this season. And, as excited as I am that we beat Big Ben and the Steelers, and on MNF no less, let's hold on to our number three pick in next year's draft. But let's savor this victory and meet back here next week to recap the Texans game. And, as always, Who-Dey!
