Colts over Bengals 23 – 17

I grew up in Richmond, where I generally learned to like Cincinnati teams. But then a funny thing happened when I went a few miles across the border to Miami University in Oxford, Ohio. I met Cincinnati people. And, I fell in with a Cleveland crowd. Now, I actively root for Cincinnati to lose. Over the last 20 years, I have not often been disappointed.

Today’s Colts’ win over the Bengals was ugly, but gratifying nonetheless. The Colts are pretty much being held together by spit and baling wire at this point. So, the defense had to step up big and the Bengals had to gift wrap it for them. That’s pretty much what happened, with the Bengals committing 5 turnovers, including two picks run back for touchdowns. (The second of these was called back after a review, but I take issue with that – if there was “indisputable evidence” that Carson Palmer actually touched Tyjuan Hagler, let alone caused him to fall, the networks opted not to show that video.)

The Colts netted only 180 yards passing and 76 yards rushing. Manning has typically been throwing for 310 yards per game. But he doesn’t have a whole lot in the way of targets. Reggie Wayne is double teamed pretty consistently. Jacob Tamme has emerged as a solid option now that Dallas Clark is out, but he’s new and hurt himself. And Pierre Garcon is always a question mark in terms of whether he’s going to hold on to a ball.

At least we don’t have Terrell Owens who maybe talented, but looked like a no effort prima donna out there. He gave up on a pass he could have at least knocked down which resulted in the Hagler interception; then, as time was running out, he was jogging back to the line, costing his team the waning seconds of the game.

It’s going to be tough sledding the next couple of weeks if some players don’t get healthy pretty fast.