My name Is Kevin Snyder. I am from Dayton, Ohio and I am 23 yaers old. As a youth I have played football, baseball, basketball, hockey, and am currently involved in auto racing. I do not have a degree in writing, but I can assure you that my passion for writing and sports are not limited by my achievements. I have grown to love all aspects of everything athletic growing up playing sports. My hobbies include writing and sports, hence my passion to become a sports writer. Marvin Lewis has won over the fans of Cincinnati since stepping in the door in 2003. Taking over a 2-14 team from Dick Lebeau, he has yet to have a losing season. But does Lewis and the Cincinnati Bengals have what it takes to make the playoffs?
The Cincinnati Bengals, with 389 total net yards/game (ranked third overall), are turning heads in the football world.
Having their first 3-0 start since going 9-7 in 1990, Cincinnati has finally earned the respect of top NFL analyst's such as ESPN's Merril Hoge who says, "quarterback Carson Palmer gives the Bengals the edge on the Steelers to win the AFC North," and Len Pasquarelli who says, "their defense is the wild card that has shoved them into season-long contention with the Pittsburgh Steelers," Pittsburgh being Cincinnati's division foes who went 15-1 in 2004.
After seeing Cincinnati's defense deny all opposition less than 14 points per game, while being second overall in points scored with an average of 29 through three games, one can only wonder what this Bengals team is really made of. With a road schedule in favor of the Bengals this year, with the exception of Pittsburgh, I have to agree.
Cincinnati not only has a shot to make the playoffs, but has a legitimate chance of capturing the AFC North title as well. With 88 points scored and a 3-0 record, the Bengals are number one in the NFL, as well as being number one in turnovers through three weeks, as they become the first team since the 1972 Cleveland Browns to have five interceptions in two consecutive games. As long as the Bengals continue to put up those numbers, I think it's safe to say that coach Marvin Lewis will have a long and healthy relationship with the owners and fans of Cincinnati.
Lewis, whose last job was the defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens in 2002, has made a lot of changes to this year's 2005 team, which only has 13 of 52 players remaining from the 2-14 team he took over from Dick Lebeau in 2002. The changes include the firing of defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier and the hiring of Chuck Bresnahan prior to the 2005 season.
It's definitely apparent that Lewis is trying to take the Cincinnati Bengals to the next level, after going 8-8 for his first two full seasons as the Bengals' head coach.
"The way for us to make progress is to get ourselves in the playoffs and go win a world championship," said Lewis prior to entering the 2005 season. "If we can’t get to step one, that’s to get to the playoffs, you can never accomplish the ultimate."
While many skeptics may have not taken him seriously, I'm willing to bet they are looking toward Paul Brown Stadium now.
With Carson Palmer having a QB rating of 114.0, 786 yards passing and a league leading 71.1% completion rate through week three, championship dreams are not too far from reach. Not to mention, Rudi Johnson breaking the Bengals' all time rushing record for yards rushed in a season with 1,454 in 2004, and Chad Johnson being one of the top receivers in the game today.
Look for the "Carson Show" to merge with "Johnson & Johnson" for one dynamite franchise.