Cincinnati Bengals Still AFC Contender.

It was just roughly three weeks ago the Cincinnati Bengals were sitting at 6-2, after dismantling the New York Jets 49-9. After the

Nov 10, 2013; Baltimore, MD, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) is congratulated by wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) after catching a 51 yard touchdown pass as time expired against the Baltimore Ravens at M

game, the media went on a frenzy on this team on how it can very well represent the AFC in this years Super Bowl in New York on February.

Well, things have quite change after that media praise and hype about the team, two straight overtime losses to the Miami Dolphins and the Baltimore Ravens on the road, have now found this team at 6-4, and only with a 1 1/2 game lead in the AFC North Division.

A lot has happened, they lost arguably their best defensive player Geno Atkins to a torn ACL in the Dolphins game, Quarterback Andy Dalton was at the time view as a potential a player that has taken the next step into being a solid quarterback, has a two horrendous games, which he has thrown 2 touchdowns to 6 interceptions. The fans are growing impatient with him, and he must step up his game down the stretch for the team.

The defense has played outstanding, with having 8 players on injured reserve, the credit goes to the great job Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer has done. The offense has fallen back since scoring 35 points on the Jets. They have gotten three Giovani Bernard touchdowns and a hail Mary pass that AJ Greem caught as time expired in the Ravens game on Sunday, that’s pretty much been it.

With two losses in a row, they have allowed the Ravens and the Cleveland Browns back in the division race. The Bengals host the Browns this Sunday, in a crucial game for both teams, Cleveland won the first meeting back in week four 17-6.

This team will need Dalton to be the “good Andy,” if he can this team can definitely compete with the likes of the Broncos, Cheifs, Patriots. With the defense ranked in the top 5, if they can sustained  their excellent play they have played this season, do not write off this team. It must start this Sunday!

Good thing for this team is that, their last six games of the regular season, not counting the bye week on 11/24, four of them will be at home where they haven’t lost this season (4-0). But, big game this weekend eludes for this team, win you have a strangle hold in the division, lose and it will get nuts in the queen city. This team is too talented not to be the running of competing for a championship.