'Skins Week 15 Preview: @ Cincinnati
Desperate teams are supposed to be dangerous. So who’s more desperate, the 1-11-1 Bengals or the 7-6 Redskins clawing for a Wild Card spot? We think the 'Skins.
No Bailout For The Bengals: There’s no doubt to anyone who passed kindergarten that a team with seven wins should be able to beat a team with one. The question is whether the 'Skins can beat themselves. They turned the ball over three times Sunday and also had three consecutive penalties on one drive. And they’re missing Chris Samuels on the O-line.
There’s also the drama in the locker room. Portis and Zorn apparently had a heart to heart Wednesday about Portis’ public whining over his lack of playing time. If Portis wants respect on the field, he should make sure he gives it to his coach off the field. Regardless, all seems repaired in Redskins world, and we’re predicting we’ll see a little more of Portis this Sunday. That should help the 'Skins fly past the 62 rushing yards they scored last week.
Sunday’s game is the Redskins' either to win or lose. Washington’s defense, ranked 5th in the NFL, should dominate the worst offense in the league, which has scored only six points in the last two games. And there’s no sign the Bengals will make any miraculous turnaround before Sunday. Carson Palmer has been out since Week 6, and the Bengals’ T. J. Houshmandzadeh, who has more yards than Santana Moss this season, did not practice Wednesday because of a hand injury. And has anyone heard from Chad Ocho Cinco lately? Is he playing under a new alias, and we just missed the memo?
The One Where the Redskins Finally Scored A Lot of Points? We wish. The Bengals and the 'Skins are 31st and 29th respectively in points scored this season (even winless Detroit has more total points). Of course, the Bengals are missing Carson Palmer and the 'Skins offense isn’t structured to score Mike Martz-like numbers. The 'Skins haven’t won by more than one possession all season and are too green in the west coast scheme right now to exploit defenses. But since the 'Skins defense should be able to dominate this week, maybe their ability to shut down the Bengals will open the 'Skins up on offense.
No matter what, we at least hope someone briefs Jason Campbell on what a tie in the NFL means.
For the Chips N’ Dip Crowd (those of you there for the food, the beer, or because your boyfriend gave you no choice): Here's a nickname to file for future use. Bengals' wide receiver Chad Johnson changed his name to Chad Javon Ocho Cinco (his jersey number is 85). His coach, however, had his own version: he referred to the troublemaking wide receiver as Ocho Psycho.