Blogging with the Enemy: Bengals

Not that I need to remind anyone, but the Browns are 0-3. Who could possibly relate to our suffering as Browns fans? Perhaps the fans of this week's opponent, our rivals down-state in Cincinnati. The Bengals are also 0-3.

This week, I traded questions with Bengals blogger Adam Kiefaber from BengalStripes.com. The questions, and his answers, are below. Enjoy.

1). What is the worst thing about being 0-3?

The constant shame! As a life-long Bengals fan, I remember the days where the team wouldn't win its first game until November. Recently, it has hard for fans to accept that the team has just been mediocre. Now, 0-3 stings a little harder than the 0-10 start in 1993 after having Super Bowl aspirations in 2005.

So, to quote Bob Uecker, "let me hear you Cleveland!" The battle of Ohio, the battle for the smallest bit of respectably.

2). At what moment did you begin to lose hope?

For most Cincinnati fans, we all lost complete hope in the preseason. I know that sounds ridiculous, but it couldn't be more true. In Ohio, we take our preseason seriously. The majority of fans liked the team's chances this season even after all the Chad Ocho Cinco drama. However, after Jon "Baby Hands" Kitna lit the Bengals up in the team's second preseason game, all hope was gone. No one expected much, but we all expected to beat Baltimore the opening week.

3). At what moment did you regain hope just to have to crushed moments later?

Opening week, I started to buy all the talk about how the Bengals were not going to have any trouble with a rookie quarterback from Delaware. I threw out the fact that Carson Palmer hadn't thrown a single pass to T.J. or Chad in the preseason. I also forgot the fact that the defense couldn't stop (preseason) Delaware's current offense if their lives' depended on it. It was opening day, I had hope, but then Joe Flacco stumbled 38 yards for a touchdown to give the Ravens a 17-3 lead with 15 seconds left in the third quarter. Hope was lost. Then in a windstorm at Paul Brown Stadium, the Bengals were tied 7-7 and calling timeouts in order to get the ball back before halftime. In order to beat the halftime bathroom rush and to catch the Bengals with the ball to end the half, I went to the restroom at PBS. I come back to find out that Titans running back Chris Johnson took a draw play 55 yards on a obvious rushing play. Game over. Hope lost again. After the OT loss to the Giants, there is some hope left.

4). Who has been your most disappointing player?

Levi Jones has been the worst left tackle in the league. Honestly I don't know if I could make that claim since I haven't watched every team play in every game, but it is hard to imagine anyone playing worse. If I don't hear, "false start, number 76," at least five times a game, I am shocked. Also, I have to add that he can't block anyone. Carson Palmer struggled the first two weeks, but was back on track against New York despite being sacked six times. Chad Ocho Cinco has struggled, but he isn't bitching. Personally, I don't think he is 100 percent. For once in his career, he is acting like professional, too bad he is playing his worst football of his career.

5). How many wins do you think the Bengals can achieve? (Please include best- and worst-case scenarios)

The best the Bengals can do is obviously 13-3, but realistically the best this team can do is probably 7-9. The worst is 3-13.

Even if Cincinnati can beat the Brownies at home, their confidence will likely be crushed the following week when they travel to Dallas.

I do like the Bengals chances at Houston (Oct. 26), vs. Baltimore (Nov. 30) and vs. Kansas City (Dec. 28).

6). If the Bengals were to make the playoffs this season, how would you celebrate?

I remember once in college I had to jump into a frozen pond after I lost a bet to some Cleveland Browns fans. If the Bengals make the playoffs, I will travel to wherever that game is, use an early vacation day and party like a rockstar. Honestly, it might be better if the team doesn't make it that far because I might not be able to afford that journey.

7). What is your prediction for Sunday? What do Browns fans need to look out for that they might not already know about the Bengals?

Watch out for Antonio Chatman, last week no one expected a thing out of the UC product, but he had a great game against the Giants. I also believe that the Bengals will try to utilize running back DeDe Dorsey more often. Linebacker Rashad Jeanty is the most under rated player on this team.

Enough about that, I will take the Bengals in a shootout 42-38. Only reason being that Cincinnati is at home, but this one can go either way.

Hmm, another shootout ... not going to happen with the way our offense has been playing. Then again, maybe playing the Bengals is just what the Browns need — it worked last season.

To read my answers to these questions, visit BengalStripes.com.