Let's get greedy

Today, the Cincinnati Bengals are playing to go to the Super Bowl.

Let me write that one more time.

Today, the Cincinnati Bengals are playing to go to the Super Bowl.

While it's been a fun, exciting ride already, it's time to get a little greedy. I don't want this to be the end. I don't want this to be "well, it was cool to just be here." I mean, sure it is. But it's ok to be greedy and want the next win.

Today, the Bengals defense will have their hands full. The Kansas City Chiefs are in their fourth straight AFC title game, and have won the last two. Indeed, all roads go through KC.

It's won't be easy. A motived Patrick Mahomes wanting to avenge a Week 17 loss to the Bengals. A Mahomes who is at the height of his game and wants a second ring.

Leading the Bengals defense will be safety Jesse Bates. He started off the game last week with an interception on the very first pass of the game. He'll have his hands full today with Hill, Kelce, Pringle, and Hardman.

Then there's Logan Wilson, a second-year LB out of Wyoming. His interception late in the 4th last week set the Bengals up for their game winning FG.

What a tall task this will be today, but this guy is up for the challenge.

Let's get greedy, Joe.

January 6, 1991

January 6, 1991. The date the Cincinnati Bengals last won a Playoff game.

At the time I was seven years old and in first grade. Sadly, I have absolutely no memory of the game. I don't think I watched it or knew what was happening. I can confidently say that I have no conscious memories of the Bengals winning a NFL Playoff game.

Today at 4:30, they take on the Raiders with a chance to snap that 31 year drought. I won't be surprised with either outcome, sadly. The teams are evenly matched, although the Bengals are favored by 5.5 as of right now. I guess it's not that even, but still. I could see the Bengals dominating. I could see them laying a goose egg. I could see a tight battle that comes down to a late FG by one side.

The reason I feel different about this game versus the last seven Playoff games is because of Joe Burrow. He's an elite, franchise-altering QB. I like everything about him, frankly. Over the past few weeks, I've snagged a few RCs of his. Nothing big, just a few of the more common ones I wanted to have.

But a QB is only as good as his WRs, and his two best have made an impact as well. Ja'Marr Chase has been incredible, an exciting playmaker who proved to be the right draft pick, taken 5th overall. I pulled all of these from packs:

Not be overlooked, Tee Higgins is a high volume, dependable WR who has built up a great rapport with Burrow. Beau from One Million Cubs was selling a few of these on eBay, so I bought four RCs.

Will I see the Bengals win a Playoff game today? I hope.

And if they don't, well, the future is still bright.

Hope

It's really a stupid thing. I'm a Bengals fan.

I was born into it. I have no Cincinnati ties. Never even been there. I hear Skyline Chili is actually quite gross.

But my Dad knew someone whose son was drafted by the team, and that coincided with the team actually being good in the 1980s, twice going to and losing the Super Bowl. So fans were born.

By the time I was old enough to pay attention to the NFL, the Bengals were perennial losers and an overall joke of a franchise. So while my friends in update NY all latched onto the Giants and Jets (no one cared about the Bills despite 4 SB appearances), I was stuck rooting for a constant loser. Not only a loser, but often a joke of a franchise.

I've seen this before, but I hope this time is different. There's reason for hope. Because the Bengals just drafted perhaps the best QB prospect to come out of college in the last 10 years.

Joe Burrow is from Ohio. He was supposed to lead Ohio State, but ended up at LSU after transferring. The rest is history, as he put top the most prolific season a college QB has ever had.

He's now a Bengal, and the fanbase has high expectations that this time is different. That this time, we have someone who can lead the franchise into and beyond the first round of the Playoffs. While I don't college football, I did snag his Panini Instant draft night card.

Time will tell. And there will be some growing pains this season. But for once, I have hope.

Don't let me down, Joe.

Don't bungle this one

Tonight, my favorite football team, the Cincinnati Bengals, have the first selection in the NFL Draft.

Barring anything unforeseen, which is never a given with this dysfunctional franchise, they will be selecting Joe Burrow from LSU to lead the franchise for years to come.

It's the right pick. It's the smart pick. Burrow was the best QB in the nation, and while cases can be made for guys like Tua Tagovailoa and Justin Herbert, Burrow needs to be the pick.

I like that Peyton Manning has already been talking to him, telling him that the first year will be rough. And I agree. I don't expect him to come in right away and put up college numbers. Take your lumps (but not too many), learn, and be ready for years two and beyond.

The Bengals have a decent WR core as long as AJ Green is back, so that should help.

I don't collect football by any means, but I wanted a few of Burrow's cards. I won't keep chasing these, but I'l snag another once he's in a a Bengals uniforms.

You're on the clock, Bengals. Don't screw this one up.