Team Capsules

5.04.02

Cincinnati Bengals 5-6
The Bengals have been a team of streaks all year.  They started out the season winning their first two games only to lose their next five dropping them to a 2-5 record.  But right now its time for the Bengals to be hot again, they have been winners of 3 of their last 4 games which includes outscoring their last two opponents by a combined total of 65-3.  Their up and down play can be linked back to the leader of their offense, inconsistent Kerry Collins.  The Bengals have an excellent running back in Curtis Martin, but he has been unable to get it going this year averaging less than 4 yards a carry, which only puts more of a load on the play of Collins.  When Collins is hot though, the Bengals are a very tough team to beat, and he may just lead this team to an unexpected playoff birth after a terrible 2-5 start.  Coach Rod Carpenter has been known to show up on game day drunk, but its said thats when he coaches his best football, leave it to a Bengal's coach.  If the Bengals do make the playoffs they will be a team nobody wants to face in the first round as nobody knows what team will show up and a backfield with Martin and WR's like David Boston and Derrick Mason this team can really have an explosive game.  

5.01.02

NEW YORK JETS  (9-2)
The New York Jets, coached by Charles Mann, have realed off 5 straight victories and are a perfect 5-0 at home.  Their 9-2 record includes impressive wins, such as a road victory in Tampa Bay and handing the Tennessee Titans their first loss of the season.  Lamar Smith eclipsed the 1000 yard mark only 11 games (which includes a 159 yard 2 td game vs. the vikings) into the season and Jimmy Smith has snagged 50 catches, 6 for touchdowns.  But most impressive so far in the Jets season is 26 year old linebacker, Keith Mitchell.  He's racked up All Pro numbers which include...99 tackles, 7 qb hurries, 9 sacks and 16 run stuffs.  If you are looking for a dissapointment in the Jets, you have to look hard, but Kurt Warner hasnt lived up to Kurt Warner so far.  Although his numbers are far from bad he's thrown 10 interceptions to only 12 touchdowns so far this season and has completed less than 58% of his passes.  While most qbs would be happy with this, its still under Warner's capabilities.  Im sure its just a matter of time before Warner breaks out with a huge "warner" game.  The Jets are very well rounded, they have the 7th ranked offense and the 3rd ranked defense and put up over 26 points a game.  The Jets are battling for the #1 seed in the AFC playoff race and got a big boost in their victory over the #1 Titans which would give them the tiebreaker if the two teams were to tie for the top record in the AFC.