minibronco
01-08-2006, 11:24 AM
GALLUP: Who Is The Better Team and Who Will Win
An Analysis to a Decision We Can't Make
Which Team is Better?
"I say Houshmendzedah"
"I say Houshmandzadah"
(Unbelieveably, both spellings are wrong)
You've heard it many times on NFL Primetime before. The Swami, Chris Berman, and his weekly acclaimations about what could arguably be the longest name in the National Football League, and his counterpart with the gold teeth.
Oh, you know it's Bengal season again, butthis time they're doing the hunting.
The Cincinatti Bengals, under the direction of Marvin Lewis, came off an alarmingly good start to finish slow (two poorly played losses) and end up with the same record (11-5) as the Pittsburg Steelers, who suffered and revealed their achilles during the absence of Big Ben Roethlisberger.
Statistically speaking, (within the past 5 weeks) the two teams have pretty much run head-to-head. Although their records are one game apart (Steelers have one loss while the Bengals have 2), Pittsburg has outscored the Bengals by 4 and gained 3 more first downs. But it is clear that Pittsburg has a much better running game right now (300+ more yards in the last 5 games) and Cincinatti has a much better passing game (<300 more yards in the last 5 games). This considered, we must analyze the weaknesses of the teams and see which weakness has more of a chance to pull through in clutch situations such as playoff games.
The Bengal's weakness, in comparison to the Steelers, is their running game. The Bengal running game is mainly comprised of R. Johnson, who has 490+ rushing yards in the last 5 games. This number can be cancelled out by the Steelers RB Parker, who has roughly the same amount. The difference here are the other running backs who can step up at the right time. Pittsburg's backs, namely Bettis (195 in last 5 weeks), Haynes (118), and Staley (148), have been able to bring back what the Steelers were known for and use it to create the 4-week winning streak they are riding into the playoffs right now. With the exception of Chris Perry (107), no other RB on the Bengals has rushed for more than 25 yards in the last 5 games combined.
On the other hand, a Ben Roethlisberger slash Hines Ward slash Quincy Morgan slash Antwaan Randle El combination can deliver. Roethlisberger has thrown less interceptions and has a higher completion percentage (over the last 5 weeks) than Carson Palmer. Ben Roethlisberger has proven in the past to his coach, his team, and his fans that he can lead his team when leadership is needed. Furthermore, Cincinatti’s defense is not as effective against the run as Pittsburg’s defense is against the passing game. The Bengals have been on a cold streak for the last 2 weeks, frustrating their coaches, players, and fans alike.
Bottom Line: The Bengals haven’t won a playoff game in more than 15 years. That streak won’t end now. Pittsburg Steelers over the Cincinatti Bengals, sending New England to Mile High to face the Denver Broncos.
An Analysis to a Decision We Can't Make
Which Team is Better?
"I say Houshmendzedah"
"I say Houshmandzadah"
(Unbelieveably, both spellings are wrong)
You've heard it many times on NFL Primetime before. The Swami, Chris Berman, and his weekly acclaimations about what could arguably be the longest name in the National Football League, and his counterpart with the gold teeth.
Oh, you know it's Bengal season again, butthis time they're doing the hunting.
The Cincinatti Bengals, under the direction of Marvin Lewis, came off an alarmingly good start to finish slow (two poorly played losses) and end up with the same record (11-5) as the Pittsburg Steelers, who suffered and revealed their achilles during the absence of Big Ben Roethlisberger.
Statistically speaking, (within the past 5 weeks) the two teams have pretty much run head-to-head. Although their records are one game apart (Steelers have one loss while the Bengals have 2), Pittsburg has outscored the Bengals by 4 and gained 3 more first downs. But it is clear that Pittsburg has a much better running game right now (300+ more yards in the last 5 games) and Cincinatti has a much better passing game (<300 more yards in the last 5 games). This considered, we must analyze the weaknesses of the teams and see which weakness has more of a chance to pull through in clutch situations such as playoff games.
The Bengal's weakness, in comparison to the Steelers, is their running game. The Bengal running game is mainly comprised of R. Johnson, who has 490+ rushing yards in the last 5 games. This number can be cancelled out by the Steelers RB Parker, who has roughly the same amount. The difference here are the other running backs who can step up at the right time. Pittsburg's backs, namely Bettis (195 in last 5 weeks), Haynes (118), and Staley (148), have been able to bring back what the Steelers were known for and use it to create the 4-week winning streak they are riding into the playoffs right now. With the exception of Chris Perry (107), no other RB on the Bengals has rushed for more than 25 yards in the last 5 games combined.
On the other hand, a Ben Roethlisberger slash Hines Ward slash Quincy Morgan slash Antwaan Randle El combination can deliver. Roethlisberger has thrown less interceptions and has a higher completion percentage (over the last 5 weeks) than Carson Palmer. Ben Roethlisberger has proven in the past to his coach, his team, and his fans that he can lead his team when leadership is needed. Furthermore, Cincinatti’s defense is not as effective against the run as Pittsburg’s defense is against the passing game. The Bengals have been on a cold streak for the last 2 weeks, frustrating their coaches, players, and fans alike.
Bottom Line: The Bengals haven’t won a playoff game in more than 15 years. That streak won’t end now. Pittsburg Steelers over the Cincinatti Bengals, sending New England to Mile High to face the Denver Broncos.