Did the Bengals lay down just so they could face Jets again?
Former Patriots’ safety Rodney Harrison brought up an interesting point last night on “Football Night in America” when he said that the Bengals would lay down against the Jets so that they didn’t have to face the Texans next week in the first round.
At the time, I thought Harrison was reaching. No professional football team with professional players would just allow an opponent to walk all over them. Players and coaches have egos the size of California and would never concede anything before the game started. At the very least, I figured the Bengals would play most of their starters until the second quarter or even half time and then pull them for the second half.
But then the game started and watching the Bengals was like watching monkeys slap each other for three hours. Cincinnati was absolutely horrendous in every phase of the game, including things as simple as lining up to get the snap off. They had no interest in stopping Thomas Jones defensively and even less interest in trying to score offensively.
I still doubt that Marvin Lewis got his players together and said, “Go out there and trip over yourselves for 60 minutes.” But one has to wonder if the Bengals didn’t have ulterior motives last night. Think about it, had they beaten the Jets, they would have had to play a Houston team that had already smacked them in Cincinnati during the regular season. If they lost, they got to face that same Jets team with a rookie quarterback making his first postseason appearance on the road. Why would the Bengals go all out for a semi-meaningless game?
I feel bad for the Texans, because they clearly were hosed by the Bengals’ effort last night. I couldn’t imagine being a Houston player that didn’t turn the game on until the second half, hoping that when they tuned in that they would at least see a close game. Instead, they saw J.T. O’Sullivan run around the field like Brucie from the remake of “The Longest Yard.”
1988…49ers, Rams, Monday Night Football. 49ers already won their division, Rams win and they get the wildcard, Rams lose and the Giants are in. 49ers laid down like dogs and let the Rams walk to a playoff birth. This crap has been going on for years but I don’t see anything the NFL can do about it. The Bengals didn’t sit their players like the Colts did but it was pretty obvious they weren’t interested in playing or winning. The problem is, other teams (Houston) get screwed along the way but if those teams took care of business to begin with, they wouldn’t be in that situation. With that said, if a team is actually laying down because they don’t want to face another in the playoffs, they should be stripped of their title or playoff spot. No way the league can prove that though.
I doubt they layed down.. to this extent – esp with palmer staying in ..into the 3rd Q. The Bengals are not that dominant of a team… the Jets are riding in with confidence and they do have the #1 defense in the NFL… if a different bengals team shows up… well Houston may have a claim. My bet – the bengals will be sorry they let the Jets come in and play them again… it will be a jets victory on saturday.
As a Bengals fans, I TOO, hope the Jets come in and smack that a$$ around. That was pathetic and insulting to the Jets, imo. Add to that, that media slut Chad Ocho-stinko promised all the fans to “tune in” and see a great game…He ahd two drops and zero catches on the day. Then after, he explained it away like he injured himself in pre-game. Rrriiigghhht, blow-hard!…What a joke he has become. Tired old act, and fools still eat it up!
Here’s hoping that the Jets not only win this game, but clean Chad’s clock and shut him the Hail up!
Jets will not win, and there isn’t anything the NFL or crazed fans can do about it. Bengals worked within the rules.
Its kinda funny they “laid-down” to that extent, though. That was an Epic failure!
I do agree with the post concerning Chad Ocho Cinco, to a degree. If he would just STFU I’d sure like my team more, but hoping he gets his jaw broken or,….hhhmmm?,…wait a minute..OK, I can be on board with that!
My problem with the NFL is that the Jets have a tough schedule that was backend loaded and TWO teams laid down for them. What about all the teams that had to actually play and beat Indi and Cinci when they were trying?
The NFL is a bunch of crap.
All very astute comments. BUT, what if the Bengals did not let the Jets fly? What if they did try? Hmmm.
I don’t think the Bengal’s laided down like all the great pro’s seem to think. Yes the colt’s pulled there starters, but keep in mind the Jets got 2 scores off of turnovers. Number 1 defense has got to mean something. Last nights game just showed that the Bangal’s aren’t all they are cracked up to be!!
Being a Jets fan, I have to say they way they laid down worries me a bit, i know they didn’t want to play houston and all but…..WOW,i have seen the bengals put a stangle hold on some good teams this year, so with us bieng handed a playoff spot, i am worried !
Just wondering to all those crying about week 17 and whether or not teams should have to play, what is your solution? If you don’t have a better way or at least some sort of possible improvement then you have nothing to say. Extend the season? Same thing happens at the end. Require starters to play? Can’t be done. This argument happens every year and is as weak as the year before just older. Who cares? Why not complain about the NFL charging full price for preseason tickets? THAT is something that should and could be changed.
I pray that the Bengals get slapped around as much as they did this last Sunday. I don’t think the Jests should even be in the playoffs but a team that would roll over and play dead shouldn’t continue on in the playoffs. As a Chargers fan it was refreshing to see them rest starters after getting a lead and then watch the depth of the team fight to win a game that didn’t “matter”. At least my team showed honor at the end of the season and enter the post-season as winners.
The Jests? Seriously…1988 called…they want their stupid nicknames back.
The Chargers had a nice season. Now if you could just reel in that big mouthed redneck goober of a QB of yours and teach him a little sportsmanship and class, instead of acting like a jackass mouthing off on the sidelines every time the other team’s QB throws a pick.
Why don’t you sit down your baby QB and watch I true competitor work. Rivers is as much a part of the defense as he is of the offense… watch him on the sideline, he is a true competitor not just a cityboy pansy.
Well one of the problems with this is the insinuation that O’Sullivan coming into the game was planned — the reality was that you couldn’t have planned for that. The game was lost early on and instead of risking Palmer (think of Wes Welker folks!), they took him out. Now if you can show ‘causation’ that it was planned to take out Palmer at a given time and that O’Sullivan would go into the game in his place — then maybe your playing a little loose with the facts might be a bit plausible. However, without that (which IS the case) you’ve got bupkus!
Next up is the concept that Cincinnati has been tripping all over themselves all season long — it’s just that their opponents have been doing it worse — so what you saw on the field was a normal game for the Bengals.
Then there comes the illogical nonsense about the Bengals wanting to play the Jets again. Your theory was that the Texans dumped them early in the season and therefore the Bengals didn’t want to tangle with them again — two problems with that logic — you didn’t take into account that at best that win by Houston was a lark and if te Bengals play/played to their capabilities in terms of being a division winner, why would they give a frig about the Texans. The Bengals simply would have looked at this as an anomoly — not fear — they would have enjoyed the idea much better of playing the Texans as opposed to the Jets — and you can’t say anything definitive about Sanchez being a rookie etc. That isn’t a tangible thing but since you don’t want to use logic, let me give you a name involved in a similar circumstance — Roethlisberger! Secondly, didn’t the Jets just as well, dump them all the same? What makes you think that this was any different? The Bengals lost that game while their starters were in there — not O’Sullivan and Company! In fact, there’s no getting around it, going against the Texans would be a situation where they didn’t just show the latest iteration of the Bengal Gameplan. NYJ has some idea of the ‘guns’ that are available. It would make sense to want to play the Texans instead — CHECK MATE!
Then there was that idiot John Clayton (who looks amazingly like the Chick that Foghorn Leghorn tutors) who said something to the effect that the Bengals and the Jets wouldn’t have to spend much time on a game plan because they already had one (this after he was reporting the final destruction for the Bengals in that game)! Clayton, are you stoopid or redarded (mis-spelling intended)? Why would the Bengals use a game plan that didn’t work worth a crud?
Clayton, I know the Bengals make some pretty dumb decisions but in order to do what Clayton did — they should bomb PBS never to let the Bengals thought processes infect the NFL again! What a Duce! (yes, mis-spelling intended)
27-0 on the Bengals first team Isn’t backing into the playoffs. The Jets have the best run game and defense in the league so don’t start whining Texans’ “fans”, the better team is in and the Jets will smack the Bengals once again next week
the writer of this story is a complete idiot and i hope your wife leaves you!!
the bengals did not lay down they trid to play a team that came out with the right mentality, the last game of season and closing out stadium IN NEW YORK??!!! they played for pride and possibly for a job. Chad J. couldnt do anything but run his fat mouth(even though i love Chad)with that said DO NOT DIS-CREDIT THE JETS, houston should of have done better thru season and they should stop crying about their own flop!! same to stupid lamar woodley, CAUSE THEY ARE WHO WE THOUGHT THEY WERE, AND WE LET’EM OFF THE HOOK
Why leave Palmer in if your going to lay down.. This article is so full of it. The Jets have the best offensive line in football and they pushed the Bengals defense downhill all night long. On the defensive side.. Why are the Jets the #1 ranked defense? It was a dominating win, period. It will happen again Sat. although the Bengals might do better.. they can’t do worse.
JETS ….. JETS…..JETS….JETS….. ALL I GOT TO SAY….
o yea they laid down they would rather play the crappy jets offense than andre johnson and the explosive texans offense the bengals saw something they didnt like when the texans ass raped the patriots we lied down and i look forward to actually playing next week!
If you think the Bengals did not lay down your a fckin tool. Jets fans stop trying to make praise for that win, it was meaningless. The Bengals (Unfortunately) made the right move for there playoff run, Id face the half ass Jets over the Texans any day of the week. The Jets dont stand a chance in hell this weekend, so Id jump right off that high-horse fellas, its not happenin.
The colts did it to the Broncos a few years back. Knowing that they would have to play them their first playoff game they didn’t play their full potential. They ran the same basic plays all night and lost to Denver. They went on to beat them easily in their playoff game. I can’t remember if it relied on the Colts losing for them to play in the playoffs but it is a similar situation.
Football is a game of strategy. That applies off the field as well as on.
the writer of this story is a complete idiot and i hope your wife leaves you!!
Classy, Mike.
Why leave Palmer in if your going to lay down.. This article is so full of it.
You have to read the entire article, Arthur – not just the headline.
Some of you Jets fans need to stop being defensive. I’m sure there are plenty of articles out there that are saying the Jets got a free win, but this isn’t one of them. If you’re capable (some of you may not be judging by your grammar) of doing so, read the entire article and then form an opinion.
Rivers is part of the defense because he constantly runs his mouth? Wow…that’s a new one on me. I’m sure he sends chills down the quarterback’s spine with all the bullshit he spews out. Tell you what…have this guy win something before you annoint him QB of the century. Your team is the equivalent to a dome team. Get your asses into the cold weather and you fold.
Chad stated that he would change his name back to Johnson if he was shut down. he is a fool and I bet the jets win.
WCH,
It wasn’t “my logic” it was Rodney Harrison’s. I say so in the first paragraph. I just brought the debate out in the open.
You look as sensitive and defensive as all the Jet fans, because you failed to comprehend what you were reading. Unfortunately that’s where we are now-a-days: People are so juiced up to slam you with their opinions that they fail to comprehend what they were reading in the first place.
If the Bengals were truly game-planning to win against the Jets last Sunday night, then that was one of the worst performances I have ever seen. But something tells me that we’ll see a completely different team this week, which lends to the argument that they weren’t motivated to beat the Jets in Week 17.
they sure as he– didn’t want to get ran over by the texans again
It’s pretty obvious the bengals did not want to win that game. Leaving Palmer in was the gift wrapping for the Jets to cover the fact they were tanking it. If they took him out or didn’t start him, it would have been obvious they were not trying to win. And Jets fans relax…that’s not saying they wouldn’t have won. But even you have to admit, that was a cake walk of a game and your team isn’t THAT good. The best reaction to this would be to shove it up the Bengals’ asses this week.
well cinci will sorry becouse its all jets saturday
I don`t really care if they did or not, i`m still mad at the Steelers for beating us n the 70`s superbowls so i`m glad they are not in it, sorry that`s just how i feel.
All you people who say the Bungles LET the JETS win are a bunch of idiots!What team in their right mind would want to play THE #1 defense in the NFL? Not to mention the fact that the Colts only scored 15 points after almost three quarters of play! The JETS are peaking at just the right time and aside from SD there’s not much in the AFC that worries me. J-E-T-S:JETS!JETS!JETS!
I don’t know WHY the Bengals layed down for the Jets on Sunday night… but we sure know they DID.
Time for Shad Johnson to change his name back… OOchocinco wasn’t that funny in the first place, especially since he stole it from the NFL network ccommercial.
Bottom line: if you have to depend on some other team winning vs determining your own fate, shame on you. Had Houston won more games they wouldn’t have to worry about what Cincy did in this game.
Montreal Mike…you can’t be serious. The colts scored 15 points because Manning was out the game and their starters were taken out early. Think about the strength of the Bengals. They are an offensive team but their D is suspect. Who would you rather play…Matt Schaub and the best receiver in the game Andre Johnson, or Mark Sanchez and Jerico Cotchery? I’ll take the rookie QB and the mediocre receivers any day of the week instead of trying to shoot it out with an offense I can’t keep up with.
I believe the Bengals went into this game believing that they would pull Palmer and Ocho at some point. They rested Benson against the #1 run defense in the league. That tells me that the coaches were not overly concerned about the outcome of this game. Also, the Bengals have 60 minutes of wonderful film to review while preparing for Saturday’s rematch, and they gave the Jets a bunch of bloopers to laugh at while they try and figure out what Cincy will throw at them…
kazahani…excellent point. The Jets went all out to win this game and they had to. The Bengals sat back and did some recon for the game that really counts which is this week.
If they were laying down Marvin deserves an Oscar, dude was super pissed every time they showed him on camera. Chad WAS hurt before the game and shouldn’t have played at all. Benson will make a big difference on Saturday. The whole team will show up and WHO DEY BABY. Cincy 30 Jets 27 come Saturday.
Did the NY Giants lay down the last two weeks of the season? They played as poorly as the Bengals, yet I do not see any benefit on the part of the Giants.
Right Ralph…the Giants laid down the last two weeks of the season to help the Eagles and Cowboys get in the playoffs. What are you talking about??
Hey everybody here in Houston and the team as well knows they put themselves in the position they are in. If we had beat the Jets at the start of the season it would have been a mute point Sunday and Houston would be in.
Also if we would have finished the Colts off when we had them on the ropes and beat the Jags instead of fumbling, Houston might have had a bye week.
Our ground gaming and kicker were the killers.
That said “good luck” Jets. I hope you put it on the Bengals again.
Steve in Houston
I watch alot of football and heard the cincy trash talking, loved it… but I felt like the Jets were going to make coco eat his words. Cincy looked scared after that game, like they just got raped. Jets crush the Bengals again 44-3. Sorry cincy fans it does’nt look good for you.
Oh by the way Bengal fans. The Jets beat the Texans in regular season this year and they beat your team to. So its over for your season except for the beating you will once again endure on Saturday.
The Jets D gave up 100 less points than the Oilers did (and they beat them). Suprisingly to Bengals fans – The Jets O with that rookie QB scored 43 more points than Cincinnati did.
Yeah, that’s the match up Ohio wanted.
Jets 27 – 10 in the rematch. Jets should be a pick’em line wise here. If David Harris returns to practice tomorrow – Jets +3 are the lock of the playoffs.
Yes…we still refer to them as the Oilers too. Texans? Bad name…sounds more like an arena football team.
bengalbill61 …”when the texans ass raped the patriots”…
Yes, because needing a score in the final minutes to beat an average team (the Pats) after their biggest offensive threat (Welker) is out of the game makes all the other playff teams shake in fear.
If the Bengals laid down to gain a rematch with Jets instead of the Texans,itwill turn out to be a huge miscalculation.
I think the Bengals will get stuffed again, regardless of how few points the Jets may score, that will still be more than than the zero the Bengals may put up. Jets defense stifled a struggling Bengals offense, and I think they may be blanked again.
Rodney Harrison is a MORON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I’m just wondering when the Bengals became so good? I mean, when was the last time they won ANYTHING?
“Who Dey” with 1 playoff win since their superbowl appearance in 1989?
“Who Dey” with 2 double digit win seasons since their superbowl appearance in 1989?
“Who Dey” with only 3 seasons above .500 since their superbowl appearance in 1989?
“Who Dey” gonna lose their first round playoff game this year?
Das right…The curse of Icky Woods will remain upon DEM BENGALS!
My insight to the Bengal’s since arriving here a few short weeks ago is to back and support your team regardless. If not, there’s next year or the year after or the year after that, ect… What else do you do? Complain! Get back into your team and support them for all your worth.Good Luck Bengal’s.
Well first I would like to say my thoughts and prayers go out to Woody Johnson and his family… Sorry for your loss… I think the Jets are going to Spank that A** saturday!!! Chad Ocho-stinko got sucked into and spit out of Revis Island… J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!!!
I will borrow something from T-Bone, the Bengals did recon Sunday night, plain and simple. I am a bit ashamed they got beat as bad as they did, but don’t let that fool you in to believing the same team will show up this Saturday. I don’t see them coming out and crushing the Jets but I see them winning by a touchdown or less. Sanchez is the real deal and will have a great game but Palmer will do the same and Benson is going to run all over that defense.
Either way this game will involve the worst team to make the playoffs in the last 20 years… The Jets are awful and in way more deserving then the Texan of a playoff spot…If the Bengals did not lay down then it would to be them instead of the Jets as the worst Playoff team…My Hunch? They Tanked it on purpose