BENGAL-MANIA

 Lumps, baby.  Joe Burrow and the team collectively are taking their lumps.  It was pitiful last Sunday in Baltimore.  The defense played pretty well, especially against the run (until big J.R. Reader went down for the season) and especially considering that the offense kept giving the Ravens the ball back so quickly.

This weekend the Bengals face the Colts in Indianapolis .  Oddsmakers have established the Colts as a 7-1/2 point favorite (down from 9-1/2 opening) and the game with a 46-1/2 point over/under mark for total points.

The Colts have a 3-2 record with wins over the Vikings, Jets and Bears and losses to the Jaguars and the Browns.  Most prognosticators picked the Colts to win their division (AFC South) but the Tennessee Titans have surprised almost everyone and lead them right now.

The Colts are led by veteran QB Phillip Rivers who moved to Indy after many years in San Diego.  He throws to all-pro T.Y. Hilton among others.  Main running back is rookie Jonathan Taylor.  The Colts defense is best in the league in points allowed.  Look for DE Justin Houston to be chasing down Joe Burrow all afternoon.

The Bengals have A.J. Green and Auden Tate banged up and questionable for this one.  There is a chance John Ross might be called on to dress for this one.  Rookie Tee Higgins is coming into his own and has been getting more passes directed his way each week.  RB Joe Mixon is banged up again but expected to play.  The offensive line is healthy but inept.  Joe Burrow is battered and bruised but still optimistic.  

We have five defensive starters out.  That unit is now being held together with bailing wire but doing a decent job so far.  Our young linebackers seem to be improving each week.  So many are hurt that the team has gone to the waiver wire to bring in additional help on the defensive line.  

You will again see the Bengals in their white jerseys.  Let's hope we can surprise some people.  

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