17 Dec 10 Cincinnati Bengals Continue Downward Spiral Against Buffalo

Andy Lyons/Getty ImagesThe Cincinnati Bengals are taking their losing ways to entirely new levels after their epic collapse Sunday against the Buffalo Bills, one of the NFL's worst teams heading into the weekend.The Bengals, who have now dropped seven consecutive games, have fallen so far below expectations this season that calling them a disappointment would be an understatement.Quite frankly it'd be an injustice to the word "disappointment".Cincinnati started off on fire, jumping out to a 28-7 lead in the first half. However, the Reebok Washington Redskins #98 ORAKPO Realtree camo Jersey
Bengals were absolutely and completely embarrassed in the second half by an apparently more talented and complete team.The Bills, who entered the weekend 1-8 and coming off their first victory of the season last weekend, dropped 35 unanswered points in the second half en route to their massacring of the Bengals.To make matters even worse for Cincinnati, the embarrassing collapse occurred at home and at the first game the team failed to sellout since 2003.There are plenty of areas on the team where you can toss your blame, as virtually no one has lived up to expectations this season for a team that dominated the NFC North last season by going 6-0 in divisional play.Terrell Owens is the only player on the offensive side of the ball having a standout year, and that is only because he is clearly and obviously the number one target since joining the team. While he has been apparently great off the field by not causing any distractions, he could be hurting the team overall on the field.What do you think the Bengals should do with their roster to improve in the offseason?What do you think the Bengals should do with their roster to improve in the offseason?Massive Overhaul78.3%New coach, same key players17.4%Same coach, new key players0.0%Minor changes2.2%No real changes2.2%Total votes: 46While it was Chad Ochocinco who helped land T.O. a job with the Bengals, it came at the expense of one of his worst statistical starts to a season in his career. He has also visibly shown his frustrations on the field several times this season when the ball isn't coming his way for long periods and in key moments.Their defense is also atrocious this season, as almost every opponent they have faced has dropped 20 or more points on them, with the only exceptions being in their two victories.While obviously every player in the NFL is extremely talented at what they do as a whole when it comes to playing their sport, clearly some of the Bengals are forgetting how to play football, or care so Reebok Pittsburgh Steelers 43 Troy Polamalu Realtree camo Jersey
little about their jobs that they have just quit caring entirely.While I have always supported Carson Palmer and liked him during his time in the NFL, despite a personal dislike for almost every player to ever come out of USC, I can no longer make a real argument as to why he is a starter for a franchise that should compete for the postseason annually, yet always falls tragically short of expectations.He can be good at times, and has shown on occasions that he has the potential to be an elite QB in the NFL, but as a whole his career in Cincinnati has to be considered a massive disappointment.Marvin Lewis will likely be gone as head coach after this season, and while the teams collapse is nowhere near being completely his fault, it has become apparent that he can no longer lead this group of players and be successful on a regular basis.I would expect major changes to come in Cincinnati during the offseason, and wouldn't be surprised if some of their top players (C. Palmer, Ochocinco, Owens) are removed from the team.Palmer is clearly showing he can't be "that guy" to take Cincinnati to the next level where they are considered legitimate threats in the postseason each year, and I would hope and think the front office will consider drafting a quarterback early in the 2011 Draft.Ochocinco is one of those players that has been solid for the same team during his entire career, but also one that is in obvious need of a change of scenery. Whether it is the coaching, the offensive scheme or the obviously inept and erratic quarterback play within the Bengals organization, I think it would be best for both parties if there was a change in scenery in the offseason moving forward.T.O. could potentially retire after this season considering his age and the Reebok Green Bay Packers 21 Charles Woodson Realtree camo Jersey
fact that he barely found a job this season, but he could also easily be back in Cincinnati for another year or two or playing for another team. He clearly isn't to the point where he is only on the field to "be on the field" (i.e. he isn't embarrassing himself despite older age just to continue to get paid), and could go at least one more season, if not longer.Regardless of what changes are made in the offseason, it is clear that there needs to be a massive overhaul for the franchise on both sides of the football and also on the sidelines. There are plenty of talented players in Cincinnati, however, until some of the key pieces on the team are changed, the Bengals will never be able to capitalize on all of their talent.