Bengals 2011 Season Schedule

By:  Coop

The Cincinnati Bengals released their 2011 season schedule the other day, and here it is:

Now here are my regular season predictions:

Game 1 @ Cleveland: Win 30-20.  This year I think the Browns will be a good team, but I think the Bengals will be a bit better.

Game 2 @ Denver: Lose 21-10.  The Broncos can be a very good team, they have good talent, and I think they are a better team than the Bengals.

Game 3 vs. San Francisco: Lose 31-10.  The 49ers were a team that was trying to get into the playoffs last year.  Yes, they had a losing record, but they still were better than the Bengals.  Troy Smith or Alex Smith, whoever starts, are both great quarterbacks.  Whoever starts for this game will do well and beat Cincy.

Game 4 vs. Buffalo: Win 42-37.  The Bengals and Bills played last year.  The Bengals had a big lead, but then they either chocked or the Bills played hard.  This year I expect Buffalo to put together a real nice season, but I think the Bengals will win this game.

Game 5 @ Jacksonville: Win 28-20.  The Jags are a decent team, they can play a game with just about anyone. But I think this time of the season is when Andy Dalton (if he starts) will start to find his groove and start playing great football.  Write this down: this will be the game where we find out who Andy really is.

Game 6 vs. Indianapolis: Lose 31-20.  Last year the Bengals could have beaten the Colts, but then T.O. had to walk slowly back to the line-of-scrimmage and it may have cost us the game.  But this year I think Manning will do well, as always and get the win.  The Colts are a better team than the Reds, no questions asked.

Game 7 @ Seattle: Win 35-24.  Last year the Seahawks won the NFC West, despite having a losing record. They were a better team than the Bengals, but this year I don't think Seattle will be as good, and I think the Bengals will be better.  Simple as that.

Game 8 @ Tennessee: Win 42-18.  The Titans are a decent team, but not really much of a threat.  They can beat some good teams once every blue moon, but they really are not that great.  Cincy should get the win, I think they are a better team.

Game 9 vs. Pittsburgh:  Win 21-17.  So far the Bengals are 5-3, not bad.  The Steelers will come to the Jungle, and I expect the Bengals fans to be loud and passionate.  The Jungle will be rocking, and the Bengals will have a home field advantage in this game, and pick up the upset win.

Game 10 @ Baltimore: Lose 35-20.  The Ravens are supposed to be the team to beat this year.  The Bengals usually have success with them though.  But, this game will be in Baltimore, and will be a tough place to play.  Joe Flacco is a good quarterback, and the whole Ravens offense is good.  They will put up some points.  But the defense is their strength.  That Raven defense against a young offense, not good for the Bengals.

Game 11 vs. Cleveland: Win 37-10.  The Bengals host the Browns this time, and the crowd will be ready because they want to have a record of 7-4, not 6-5.  7-4 sounds a lot better.  So the Jungle will be alive, the team will want the win.  Cincinnati has a better offense and a better defense.  They will win.

Game 12 @ Pittsburgh: Lose 21-14.  This will be a good game I believe.  But this game is in Pittsburgh, and with all the terrible towels and the crazy fans, it will be a tough place to play.

Game 13 vs. Houston: Win 35-17.  Last time these two teams played each other the Texans won.  Houston is a good team and all, but I truly think the Bengals are better.  Simple as that. The Bengals are now 8-5.

Game 14 @ St. Louis: Win 41-28. This would make a better baseball game.  Last season the Rams almost made the playoffs.  Sam Bradford is a good QB, and I think this game will come down to how good the quarterbacks are.

Game 15 vs. Arizona: Win 35-30.  Arizona is a pretty good team, not as good as they were with Kurt Warner though.  They will not be much of a threat to the Bengals.  

Game 16 vs. Baltimore: Win 20-13.  The Bengals, like I said, have success against the Ravens.  I think this game they will play very well, and get the win.  They will upset the "team to beat".

So I predict the Bengals to go 10-6 this season.  Hopefully that is enough for a playoff spot.