Only Cincinnati Fans

Let me say first that I am pumped up about the Cincinnati Bengals game versus the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday.  It’s a win and in (the playoffs) scenario for the Bengals – a remarkable achievement, even if they fall short, considering that this team was predicted to win only 2-3 games this season.

But, as usual the Bengals fans – at least the ones that call the talk shows – can’t enjoy it.  They offer various reasons for why – easy schedule (note Pittsburgh and Baltimore have played almost an identical schedule) – they have a history of being bad – and of course, the owner Mike Brown.  Fans can’t enjoy it because of Mike Brown – why even be a fan of the team then?

Look, I’m not telling people how to spend their money.  I live too far away from Cincinnati to go to games consistently – I also have made a conscious decision that if it caused me to miss church services I would not go – but I still do not get all the negativity surrounding the team in what has been a surprisingly good year.

It’s typical of the Cincinnati sports fan.  Walt Jocketty makes two key trades to try to get the Reds over the top in 2012 and most fret about the future.  I can guarantee you, if Jocketty had not made those trades and still had the players that he traded away in the fold, those same fans would be clamoring for him to be fired – asking “why is he sitting on his hands?” or “the game has passed him by.”  It’s really an interesting case study.

At least they sold the Bengals game out on Sunday – and I think they have a great shot of winning the game and making the playoffs for the second time in three years.  Baltimore is a different team on the road, the Bengals have a winning record against the Ravens under Marvin Lewis and AJ Green, who missed the first game (a 31-24 loss at Baltimore), will be back.  Some will argue that Ray Lewis will be back for the Ravens, but the Bengals have beaten the Ravens before with Lewis playing – I know, I witnessed it in person two years ago.

Go Bengals and for the Cincinnati fans, seize the moment and enjoy yourselves for once.