So Why Is It...

[mcpapa]

,,,that the Bengals fall flat under the spotlight?

 

First, is it true (I think it is)?

 

If so, why? Self-fulfilling prophecy? Are they usually playing against a superior team? Underperformance at the QB position? Coaching?

 

Why???

[HammerTime]

I'd put coaching at the top of the list.

[UKMustangFan]

See my post in the game thread. In 10 prime-time games they've allowed over 150 rushing yards 6 times. That says it all. For all the warts the offense has, it's the defense that continuously lets them down when the lights are the brightest.

[Randy Parker]

Are they usually playing against a superior team?

 

I don't follow the Bengals as much as others, but this is my initial thought.

[UKMustangFan]

I don't follow the Bengals as much as others, but this is my initial thought.

 

Honestly, I feel they typically are matched against an inferior team in their prime-time matchups.

[mcpapa]

And to be clear, when I say "spotlight", I'm including playoffs.

[stickymitts]

Is it lack of experience?

 

How many Sunday/Monday night games do they have compared to the teams they are playing? What about playoff games?

[Blue Magic]

Primetime and playoff atmospheres are similar. Why have they repeatedly won in the regular season and gotten spanked in primetime and in the post season? COACHING. I'm not saying replacing Marvin is the answer to the Bengals winning a Super Bowl, or even a playoff game. But you have to start blaming the common denominator sooner or later.

[hrcarrier]

Coaching.

[75center]

The games usually seem to involve the breakdown of all aspects of the team. To me that's a reflection of the coaching. However, we shouldn't absolve the players who time after time "cinch up" under the bright lights. They are professionals after all.

[theguru]

To answer the question at large I think to an extent the Bengals are chokers.

 

Last night I believe the Bengals still choked some but it was really helped along by a team on a mission. Add to that, we are SOFT against the run and Dalton just doesn't have it in big games. I think the defense will come around if we stay healthy but I still have my doubts with Andy. Hope he proves me wrong.

[rjs4470]

Last night would have been a tough situation for any team to beat the Patriots. Going into Foxboro, prime time, a week after the Patriots were embarrassed in a prime time game, plus with all the drama surrounding them. They are too good not to get things right, and unfortunately, the Bengals drew the short straw and had to march into a buzzsaw. I agree they didn't play well, and looked out of sorts, but I don't know that even if they had played well, that they wouldn't have still lost.

[stickymitts]

So the Bengals coaches forget how to coach in primetime/playoff games? Makes sense.

[TheDeuce]

If you get blasted like that after a bye week, it's on the coaching staff IMO.

[Hellbird]

,,,that the Bengals fall flat under the spotlight?

 

First, is it true (I think it is)?

 

If so, why? Self-fulfilling prophecy? Are they usually playing against a superior team? Underperformance at the QB position? Coaching?

 

Why???

It's easy. Marvin Lewis can't prepare or game plan against good teams especially in the spot light. Never has never will as far as I can see.

 

 

Last 12 primetime games Marvin is 1-11

 

Not good.