Some of you have wondered why we didn't include the Bengals' turnaround among the list of the ten biggest surprises of the first half of the 2009 season.
The answer is easy. We aren't surprised.
Though we put the Bengals at No. 20 on the preseason power rankings, go back and read the explanation. We believed in the Bengals.
Then there's the fact that we picked the Bengals (yeah, and the Redskins) to make the playoffs.
We also mentioned in some preseason live chats that the Bengals would be a team to watch in 2009.
So now they are 9-2 in their last 11 games. Their defense is strong. Carson Palmer is healthy. And Chad Ochocinco is back and motivated and happy.
Even if they lose this weekend at Heinz Field, the Bengals are on the right track. The real challenge will be to stay there into late December -- and then to find a way to win one or more games in January.
Bengals' success is no surprise
Posted by Mike Florio on November 11, 2009 1:00 PM ET
Permalink
42 Comments 
Latest stories in: Cincinnati Bengals, Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Rumors, Pittsburgh Steelers, Top Stories
Latest stories in: Cincinnati Bengals, Latest News and Rumors, NFL Mobile Exclusives - Rumors, Pittsburgh Steelers, Top Stories
They've drafted incredibly well over the past 4 or 5 seasons.
The Bengals success should be absolutely no surprise with a healthy Carson Palmer. Yeah, it's been a few years since he's been 100% but when you have a top 10 QB in this league you WILL win more games than you lose.
When all is said and done I think Palmer moves into the top 5 joining Manning, Brady, Brees, and Rivers. The dude is just that good.
Since you're such awesome prognosticators..... why don't you pat yourself on the back for that sweet Superbowl pick while you're at it! You know the one where everyone laughed and laughed and laughed....
you know the Redskins?
That was pure awesomeness
no no no.... you didn't pick the Redskins to go to the playoffs you picked them to be in the Superbowl!!! Seriously though what the hell were you thinking?!
Even a blind squirrel finds a nut once every 10 years or so.
Thanks for the recognition, didn't remember the predictions but you're absolutely right. My bad.
"So now they are 9-2 in their last 11 games"
This stat has NOTHING to do with anything related to the success the team is having now. This type of nugget is gaining popularity in a hurry to make a team on the rise or decline appear hotter/colder than they actually are. How many times have we heard "the Orioles have won 150 of their last 250 games"? Right. Never.
Cincy is playing well in 2009 and that's it. They were 1-11-1 last year before beating (ready for this?) the Redskins, Browns and Chiefs in their last 3 games of '08 (teams that went 14-34 last season). Not exactly juggernauts, but hey, 9-2 sounds a lot better than 6-2.
Thanks Florio,
I needed that.
Sunday the whole world is watching.
Bengals over Steelers.
What a great game this will be!
congrats to the bengals. i'm pulling for them.
bengals/saints would be a ridiculously awesome and improbably superbowl.
XXINYG,
I'll take 6-2 as well.
Sincerely,
The Bengals Faithful
I think Palmer is pretty good (among the best), but I'll take his Pittsburgh counterpart over him, DonQuipenis.
I mean, was anyone really surprised on Monday night when he rolled out of the pocket and immediately found his receiver for the td?
This matchup is going to be a good one because both teams are playing better.
"Cincy is playing well in 2009 and that's it. They were 1-11-1 last year before beating (ready for this?) the Redskins, Browns and Chiefs in their last 3 games of '08 (teams that went 14-34 last season). Not exactly juggernauts, but hey, 9-2 sounds a lot better than 6-2. "
Those games are mentioned because thats when we started making changes with our Oline and the run game was better do to those changes...The defense pLAYED HARD last year but do to Fitzpatrick going 3 and out more times then any other team in the league the defense played 40 minutes a game.....Since you needed the time to hate the REASON we were 1-11-1 was 25 players on IR including several key starters including Carson Palmer...Either way it goes the "squirrel finds a nutt comment" well we have a young defense a new focused RB a healthy QB and good special teams...BArring injury we will compete for a while so it is what it is...and yes Florio was right on his picks but we had to school him too on what we were changing and doing...LOL
Florio, Giants fans seem bitter with that 4 in row loss record right now....LOL
Bengals are one of the 4 best teams in AFC - with Pitt, NE & Indy. I'm a Ravens fan. They absolutely dominated the Ravens 2x this year...much more than the scoreboard reflects. No one has done that to Bmore in years. They are a very good team, probably playing better than they actually are right now...and with a top QB like Palmer, and with how they're running the ball, the sky is the limit. Match-up with Pitt will b real interesting, but home team and Big Ben (hate the guy, but maybe the biggest "winner" I've ever seen) I think take the W.
For the Bengals, the question is whether Mike Brown will pay Ced Benson, B. Williams, J. Joseph, and D. Peko...and others...in the next couple years, or continue to operate like they did with Andre Smith, you know, same old Bungles??? Sorry Bengals fans, but you know that tight wad is lurking out there waiting to rain on your parade.
I'm pulling for Cincy. Hope they make that Super Bowl run before Mike Brown lets it all fall back to pieces.
Don Quipenis says:
November 11, 2009 1:10 PM
The Bengals success should be absolutely no surprise with a healthy Carson Palmer. Yeah, it's been a few years since he's been 100% but when you have a top 10 QB in this league you WILL win more games than you lose.
When all is said and done I think Palmer moves into the top 5 joining Manning, Brady, Brees, and Rivers. The dude is just that good.
----------------------------------
Child, please.
The Bengals have a top running back again and all of a sudden Palmer is "back"? Uh huh.
Palmer is "back" for the same reason he looked good in '04 -- the Bengals are getting it done big time on the ground. Carson's along for the ride.
As for your top 5, you left out the true top-5 QB, who happens to also play in the North, and has more Super Bowl rings than Rivers, Brees and Manning COMBINED.
"bengals/saints would be a ridiculously awesome and improbably superbowl."
I'm calling it "Who Dey vs. Who Dat"!
I want T-shirt concessions.
#20 in your preseason predictions, but you called their success. come on, seriously?
redskins in the superbowl? wtf?
you need to stick to the gossip girl stuff...
Frank Burns,
Now before we go and trash Palmer for having a good running game, and in the same comment talk about Ben and his super bowl rings.. I will admit that Ben is now a damn good quarterback and should be in the top 5 discussion, let us not forget who threw the only touchdown pass in his first SB win.... Antwan Randle El.... So which is it? Does a running game make the quarterback or is it possible to be a good quarterback and have a running game too??
palmer and benson are having success this year because of the offensive line. eric ghiaciuc might be the worst center in the history of the nfl... thank goodness he's gone. its not a good sign when you're starting quarterback gets a bloody nose in a preseason game.
improved o-line play, and one more year of experience for a good young defense is the reason for their success.
So, either way you would be right about the Bengals. You picked them at #20. So, if they were garbage, you would be right. You left them enough wiggle room to say, "see, we told you so."
The Bengals are a tough team that plays smash mouth football that also has very talented players like Chad Johnson and Carson Palmer. Yeah, who would have figured that Benson wasn't a bust.
Frank Burns says:"Child, please.
The Bengals have a top running back again and all of a sudden Palmer is "back"? Uh huh.
Palmer is "back" for the same reason he looked good in '04 -- the Bengals are getting it done big time on the ground. Carson's along for the ride."
...and Ben is winning for the same reason he's always won: his team is a top 5 DEFENSE. Talk about being along for the ride!
FightBack09 says:
November 11, 2009 3:09 PM
Frank Burns,
Now before we go and trash Palmer for having a good running game, and in the same comment talk about Ben and his super bowl rings.. I will admit that Ben is now a damn good quarterback and should be in the top 5 discussion, let us not forget who threw the only touchdown pass in his first SB win.... Antwan Randle El.... So which is it? Does a running game make the quarterback or is it possible to be a good quarterback and have a running game too??
-------------------------------------
Neither -- the answer in the Steelers' case is, c) a truly elite QB can get it done with no run support at all.
Go back a little further, to the Steelers' playoff run of '05. Here's a recap for you:
**************************************
Quarterback: Roethlisberger (2385 passing yards, 17 TD, 9 INT) had an outstanding regular season, posting a 98.6 passer rating and generally displaying the presence that led him to be named 2004 NFL Rookie of the Year, but reserved his best play for the postseason. "Big Ben" is 49-of-72 passing (68.1 percent) for 680 yards with seven touchdowns and just one interception through three 2005 playoff games, for a lusty passer rating of 124.8.
Running Backs: The Steelers running game has struggled somewhat during the playoffs, with both Willie Parker (1202 rushing yards, 18 receptions, 5 TD), and Jerome Bettis (368 rushing yards, 9 TD) averaging well under four yards per carry. Parker has just 132 yards on 47 carries (2.8 avg.) on the ground...
*************************************
So you see, Ben has taken a team all the way with ZERO run support. And by the way, go look at the Steelers' run totals during last season's championship run. Except for the divisional vs. San Diego, it was non-existent.
Ben's gotten it done with no run support before. He's carried an offense.
The Bengals, on the other hand, are driven by Benson, as they were by Rudi Johnson in '04-'05.
THERE'S your "return of Palmer from injury."
Again -- child, please.
FightBack with the sick (frank)BURN(s)
I think Bengals fans who have followed the draft and the offseason work aren't all that surprised. That being said, I am still cautiously optimistic. and I agree that last years finish has little to do with the success of this season. We played three trashy teams in the final month of the season. If Jim Zorn didn't hate Portis on those two goal line carries, maybe they only go 3-12-1.
The bengals have finally copied the ravens' and steelers' formula- excellent running game, stopping the run on D, special teams, and ball control. meanwhile, the steelers and ravens seem to be patterning their current offenses on the 2005 bengals. that doesn't mean anything. i'm just saying.
# MSWRavens says: November 11, 2009 2:24 PM
For the Bengals, the question is whether Mike Brown will pay Ced Benson, B. Williams, J. Joseph, and D. Peko...and others...in the next couple years, or continue to operate like they did with Andre Smith, you know, same old Bungles??? Sorry Bengals fans, but you know that tight wad is lurking out there waiting to rain on your parade.
----------------------------------------------------
Peko got a new deal last year. Benson is signed until next year. Joseph's deal is probably good until the end of next year too. Both of them need resigned, I think Joseph would already be resigned but he's had injury trouble the past 2 years, here's hoping he stays healthy the rest of this year atleast!
This is comical. Only a delusional Bungle fan would say that Rosey Palmer is better than Big Ben. It's not even close. Outside of P. Manning and Brady, there is no better QB alive than Ben. Spare me the Brees, Rivers, McNabb and Palmer crap. When the chips are on the table and it's crunch time, there is no QB in the league better than Ben.
Queue the last two minutes of SB 43 and Ben's record in comeback wins since he took over as starter in '04, PLEASE.
As for the Bungles having a good year, it's about freakin time. All those years of drafting Top 5, they should have the talent. But it's more than talent. It also takes a little heart and toughness. The Steelers will punch the Bungles in the mouth this weekend, and they'll fold. They're having a nice season....I'll give them that. But this game is too big for the Bungles.
Go back and look at Palmer's record on any given year vs. opponents who made the playoffs that year, and you'll see a guy who folds in those games. Chokes. Gags. Coughs. Wheezes.
We'll see if he can break the trend on Sunday. He certainly has the run support for it this year. Defense that capitalizes on turnovers too.
@Outstyder more like 4 years ;) 2004 & 2005 were very bad drafts haha...I think biggest help though has been no name free agents who been coached up though.
@Katmanduu Carson is the better Pocket passer / QB but Ben is the most unique and special QB when it comes to keeping a play alive..
@everyone I think key part of this season has been our cornerbacks...because of our pass ranking (24th) they look like a weakness but really their not outside of houston game they have been money...maybe give up a big catch now and then but wouldn't allow them to score after it.
@KatmanDUI
Hey buddy maybe you could remove yourself from the land of the drunk & delusional in realizing the last time the Bengals drafted top 5 was 2003 when Palmer went #1 overall with Marvin Lewis's first draft. Only FB Jeremi Johnson at #118 and backup OT Scott Kooistra still remain from that 2003 draft. Ochocinco (#36 in 2001) is also the single player picked before 2003 still on the roster today. Over the next 4 years they selected 17th, 17th, 24th & 18th.
And this forum is too big for the likes of someone who lacks any perspective like you dude. Put Palmer on any team that has had success over the past few years and he makes them better, speculation of course, but so is your take. Ben has been the beneficiary of a defense that is perennially among the best in the league. Yea, he can avoid pressure when his pocket collapses and make throws to WR's who've had six plus seconds to get open, but is he really better? Think not. I DO however think he's a HELL of a football player, as much as it pains me to say that. But better QB? No sir.
Well, Mike, that's true. The sports media has been hyping the Bengals for years. Guess I'm surprised because this year they're actually living up to the hype.
But I wouldn't be throwing all the credit at Palmer and #85. It's not like the Bengals just drafted them. They've been there all along and it hasn't helped much before. Oh, yeah, #85 is HAPPY this year. All those other years, he wasn't happy. And Palmer's healthy. Maybe he's had other injuries--I don't follow his health that closely. But the big leg injury happened in the 2005 playoffs. It's 2009. Rod Woodson tore his ACL on opening day in '95 and was playing in that year's Super Bowl. Tom Brady tore up his knee last year and is back in form now.
I'm not saying Palmer isn't a good QB and #85 isn't a good receiver. I'm just saying there's got to be more going on in Cincy than those two.
@Don Quipenis ... Wouldn't expect a Bengal to include Roethlisberger. But it's rich knowing Brees, Rivers, and Palmer would glady trade their place on your lil list for his two rings. LOL
Frank Burns says: "Go back and look at Palmer's record on any given year vs. opponents who made the playoffs that year, and you'll see a guy who folds in those games. Chokes. Gags. Coughs. Wheezes."
Hmmmm. Dec 2005. 8-3 Bengals play 7-4 Steelers for the divison lead. Palmer throws 3 TDs, no picks. Ben throws 3 TDs but also 3 INTs. Bengals win 38-31.
Sorry dude. Only time Palmer has folded in a big game is when another player hit him in the knees and ended his season. I won' t say who.
The only difference between Carson and Ben is Ben has had a defense which has ranked top 10 every year he's been a starter, including #1 three times, and Palmer has had a defense ranked in the bottom 5 of the league three times, and never higher than 12th. This year the Bengals D is OK, not great, but OK, and finally Palmer's clutchness can be seen with 3 fourth quarter comebacks (would be 4, but, yep you guessed it, the DEFENSE blew the win against Denver with an absurd 87-yard TD with less than 30 seconds in the game.)
It's all about the defenses people. There's no major difference in talent or ability between Palmer and Ben. If they'd swapped teams five years ago Carson would have two rings and Ben would have none. That simple.
@ryanmc ...
That's the point I was trying to make. For the Bengals to be where they are, more has to be in place than Palmer and #85, though they're talented players. But as for whether Palmer and Ben are interchangeable, we'll know that when Palmer leads a last-second Super Bowl comeback.
About that knee injury. I didn't see a dirty hit and neither did Palmer, so I don't know what you fans saw. One guy posted that Palmer has to say it was a clean hit. Why? I haven't noticed NFL players hesitating to say when they've been victims of dirty hits. If he thought it was dirty, I think he'd say so. But either way, we'd have won that game. I felt it going in that night. Call it women's intuition, but it's usually right. (Sorry, I like our chances but no strong intuitive feeling on this week's game :-)
The Bengals are good for a variety of reasons.
1. A healthy and mobile Carson Palmer. Yes, the elbow knocked him out last year, but his knee also wasn't 100 percent. Now it is, and now he's able to scramble again. How many times has he found a receiver rolling to his right? check
2. Cedric Benson. Out of shape last year, in shape this year. Looks like the #1 pick he was supposed to be. check (oh.. and Bernard Scott is just salivating for his chance.. that dude is good too. You will hear his name in the coming few seasons, guaranteed.. and not on the police blotter.. in the stat sheet)
3. Mike Zimmer. One of the best D Coord in the game. check
4. The genius drafting of Keith Rivers followed by Rey Rey the following year, and surrounding them with veterans on D such as Crocker, Tank, and Odom (before injury). check
5. The best starting corner tandem in the NFL. Yeah that's right, I said it. The 2 guys everyone ragged on earlier before the year started are both headed to Honolulu. double check
And, don't forget a healthy and motivated Chad Ochocinco.
also... one last person not to forget is Paul Alexander and the work he's done with 5 guys that everyone said would struggle on the O-Line. Great protection and Andre Smith hasn't even dressed yet. Yeah that's right, the Bengals are 6-2 and don't even need to dress the #1 pick. This team has depth for years to come. Marvin Lewis has set this team up brilliantly for the next 3-4 seasons.
I'm with Florio on this one. The writing on the wall was there after the NFL draft and after Fa was over. It was not hard to see this coming, only people who love to associate the Bengals with the Bungles refused to see it because they simply didn't care to do research and open their eyes.
The Bengals are good for a variety of reasons.
1. A healthy and mobile Carson Palmer. Yes, the elbow knocked him out last year, but his knee also wasn't 100 percent. Now it is, and now he's able to scramble again. How many times has he found a receiver rolling to his right? check
2. Cedric Benson. Out of shape last year, in shape this year. Looks like the #1 pick he was supposed to be. check (oh.. and Bernard Scott is just salivating for his chance.. that dude is good too. You will hear his name in the coming few seasons, guaranteed.. and not on the police blotter.. in the stat sheet)
3. Mike Zimmer. One of the best D Coord in the game. check
4. The genius drafting of Keith Rivers followed by Rey Rey the following year, and surrounding them with veterans on D such as Crocker, Tank, and Odom (before injury). check
5. The best starting corner tandem in the NFL. Yeah that's right, I said it. The 2 guys everyone ragged on earlier before the year started are both headed to Honolulu. double check
And, don't forget a healthy and motivated Chad Ochocinco.
also... one last person not to forget is Paul Alexander and the work he's done with 5 guys that everyone said would struggle on the O-Line. Great protection and Andre Smith hasn't even dressed yet. Yeah that's right, the Bengals are 6-2 and don't even need to dress the #1 pick. This team has depth for years to come. Marvin Lewis has set this team up brilliantly for the next 3-4 seasons.
I'm with Florio on this one. The writing on the wall was there after the NFL draft and after Fa was over. It was not hard to see this coming, only people who love to associate the Bengals with the Bungles refused to see it because they simply didn't care to do research and open their eyes.
ryanmc says:
November 11, 2009 8:39 PM
Frank Burns says: "Go back and look at Palmer's record on any given year vs. opponents who made the playoffs that year, and you'll see a guy who folds in those games. Chokes. Gags. Coughs. Wheezes."
Hmmmm. Dec 2005. 8-3 Bengals play 7-4 Steelers for the divison lead. Palmer throws 3 TDs, no picks. Ben throws 3 TDs but also 3 INTs. Bengals win 38-31.
Sorry dude. Only time Palmer has folded in a big game is when another player hit him in the knees and ended his season. I won' t say who.
The only difference between Carson and Ben is Ben has had a defense which has ranked top 10 every year he's been a starter, including #1 three times, and Palmer has had a defense ranked in the bottom 5 of the league three times, and never higher than 12th. This year the Bengals D is OK, not great, but OK, and finally Palmer's clutchness can be seen with 3 fourth quarter comebacks (would be 4, but, yep you guessed it, the DEFENSE blew the win against Denver with an absurd 87-yard TD with less than 30 seconds in the game.)
It's all about the defenses people. There's no major difference in talent or ability between Palmer and Ben. If they'd swapped teams five years ago Carson would have two rings and Ben would have none. That simple.
---------------------------------------
Child, please.
Go back and check ALL Palmer's games against playoff teams in any given year -- the Indys, New Englands, San Diegos, Pittsburghs -- you'll see how he folded against the better competition like a cheap pup tent.
As for that one game in '05, the only thing that saved him was a cheesy TD that went through Colclough's hands and into the undeserving paws of the Cincinnati receiver. There was more rabbit's foot luck in that one than a magic show.
And don't give me the defense crap -- you mean that Steeler D that collapsed in the 4th quarter of last year's Super Bowl, that had to be bailed out by Ben? What, you weren't watching?
No, the difference between Ben and Carson is Ben is clutch in pressure situations in the big games -- Palmer folds. Like I said, go back and see how he's done against the big boys and you'll see.
The Steelers have two rings with Ben thanks to his clutchness -- I doubt they have any with the choker, Palmer at the helm.
Check Palmers record against playoff teams? let's see. Well, he didn't really play last year so that doesn't count.
Outside of that, isn't he 8-3 v.s the Ravens? Didn't he go to GB and beat the Packers? Didn't he destroy the Bears? (all predicted to make the playoffs).
Didn't he beat Pitt this year, as in other years? 07 was the only year Palmer lost to just about all the playoff teams.
He beat the Steelers and Saints in 06, as well as the 13-3 Ravens. And that was with one leg.
2005 he beat the 11-5 Bears, the 12-4 Jags, the Steelers.... you are talking with an illiterate tongue my friend. One with no clue.
What the H are u talking about that he folds in big games. Seriously, get a clue. You are talking out your A$$ with no data to back your S up.
I seriously doubt Ben is undefeated against playoff teams. Just because Carson has lost to NE and others doesn't make him a choker.
Using your logic, every QB chokes.
Yeah hitdog, that'll be the day when you tell ME about football.
Here's a list of Palmer's contests vs. playoff teams in a given year -- keep in mind the Bengals normally play a 3rd or last place schedule so he's had it easy for the most part.
2004-2005
----------
NE Lost 28-35
PIT Lost 17-28
PIT Lost 14-19
2005-2006
------------
IND Lost 37-45
PIT Lost 13-27
PIT Won 38-31
2006-2007
-----------
SD Lost 41-49
IND Lost 23-24
DEN Lost 23-24
NE Lost 13-38
2007-2008
--------------
NE Lost 13-34
PIT Lost 13-24
PIT Lost 1-24
LIKE I SAID BEFORE AND WAS RIGHT, Palmer shrinks like a flower in a rainstorm against the big boys, the SDs, the NEs, the PITs -- he's fine against the Clevelands of the league. He split with the Steelers in '06 when they didn't make the playoffs btw.
Now then -- you may admit I was right when ready.
Frank Burns -
You conveniently omitted a few wins on Palmer's QB record. You have no business analyzing statistics if you can't include ALL of the information.
04-05
-------
Beat Denver 23-10
05-06
-------
Beat Chicago 24-7
06-07
-------
Beat Kansas City 23-10
Beat New Orleans 31-16
Beat Baltimore 13-7
07-08
-------
Beat Tennessee 35-6
Also, whatever strength of schedule the Bengals had that year doesn't really apply when discussing records against playoff teams.
Also, speaking of clutch, I believe it was Big Ben who posted the all-time low for QB rating in a Superbowl with 22.6 in the 2005 SB. Talk about clutch.
So far in 2009, Palmer has how many come-from-behind victories? Including one against the blow-hard Steelers.
CALLED YOUR BLUFF. Next time, do better research.
Frank Burns,
what you seem to not get is that TEAM's win games, not the QB individually.
How, for example, can you blame Palmer for a loss to San Diego in 2006 when he threw for 400 yards, 3 TDs and put up 41 points on a team that went 14-2 that season, when clearly the reason the Bengals lost was a D which allowed 42 second half points (that's six TD drives by the Chargers offense, no pick-sixes or fumble returns for TDs)?
Or, for a 2006 loss to Pitt, when the Bengals offense twice drove down the field in the last 10 miniutes: scoring the go-ahead TD with +-3 minutes to play, then (after the Bengals D quickly gave up a tying FG) driving into FG range with seconds remaining in the game (37-yard attempt was missed, Bengals D allows 60-yard TD to Holmes on first possession of OT)?
Palmer has played well plenty times in pressure games or situations, only to be let down by a lousy D and/or special teams.
Deb,
you said " But as for whether Palmer and Ben are interchangeable, we'll know that when Palmer leads a last-second Super Bowl comeback. " Or when Ben some day has to play with the #30 defense in the league. Luckily for him that'll probably never happen, but if it ever does you can be sure that the wins and 4th quarter comebacks will be very hard to come by. Yes, Ben led a great TD drive in the Superbowl against a team that was statistically the worst defensive team ever to play in a Superbowl, but Pitt doesn't even go 12-4 and make the playoffs if the D is bad last year.
@ryanmc ... no argument from me on the defense. I'm a defensive kind of girl. The only offensive jersey in my collection is a retro Bradshaw. Ben was blessed to walk into a team that was missing only one component: him.
Even so, I feel Ben is underrated. The Steelers had superior defenses in many seasons after their 70s domination. Their 95 defense was one of the best ever. But no rings--because no QB who had the right combination of leadership and skill. We wouldn't have won the SB last year without the 14-point swing created by Harrison's interception and the phenomenal all-hands runback. But the defense let us down in the second half. In the end, with everything on the line, it all fell on Ben. And he delivered. Regardless of the Cardinals' stats, it was a remarkable clutch performance under intense pressure.
So far, we haven't seen Palmer produce at that level. Does he have the talent to do it? Probably. Most QBs at this level do. But it's not about talent. It's about something intangible. So we won't know until the time comes, if it comes. Until then, I still say--win or lose Sunday--that Ben is the better QB for the same reason I'd rank Brady ahead of a record-setter like Marino.
No offense intended. Your team is playing great and it should be an interesting game.
Deb, thanks for the well-reasoned comments. I just still disagree about Palmer's production, I've seen him come through plenty times in big games or situations. Unfortunately, the team has often still ended up losing despite his heroics. I mean Palmer once threw 6 TD passes in a game...and the Bengals lost!
Put it this way: yes Pitt won the Superbowl this year because of a great game-winning TD drive led by Ben, but also because AFTER that drive his defense did NOT give up a ridiculous 87-yard TD on a deflected pass!! Now, the crazy thing is if they had and the Steelers had lost then nobody would be talking about how clutch Ben is, and that's just wrong. I just think generally we do a bad job of isolating the QB's impact from the rest of the team.
ryanmc, that's the double-edged sword of being a QB--you usually get the credit when it goes right but you always get the blame when it goes wrong, even if it's not your fault. Palmer's had some bad breaks. And I do think he's a talented QB who seems to be a good guy. I'd wish him luck this year, but ... well ... you understand :-)
I'm in Florida and just discovered I'm stuck with Jacksonville/Jets! We get a lot of Steeler games, and for some reason I thought we'd have this big one. So I'm not a happy camper. But at least I can follow the scoring drives on NFL RedZone!
Hope it's a good injury-free game!
Frank Burns is an idiot. The day I tell HIM about football?
I already proved more worthy than him, and he proved himself a very poor fact checker.
Hey Frank: don't tell ME about football. Donkey.