SOMETIMES, being proved to be totally and utterly wrong can be a very beautiful thing.

When I last blogged, back at the end of September, the Bengals were 1-2 and just about to play the 3-0 Buffalo Bills.

Now let’s just say I made some statements which, looking back now, make me seem a bit of a pillock. Perhaps the best course of action would now be to delete the offending blog but I’m more than happy to admit I was shown up big time.

Far from being, as I might have said, “a team destined for a 4-12” finish, the Bengals have stunned everybody. After that blog was written, they reeled off five straight wins and with five weeks of the season to go sit 7-4 ahead of this Sunday’s trip to Pittsburgh.

It’s been unexpected, slightly bewildering but most of all thoroughly enjoyable.

Since the comeback win against Buffalo, the Bengals have been unlike any other Bengals team I can remember. For a start, their focus and discipline is worlds away from what we’ve come to expect in the past. No longer do we see drives destroyed by stupid penalties or conversely, the opposition given a helping hand by our own stupid mistakes.

A huge amount of credit must go to the defense and co-ordinator Mike Zimmer. Some of the free agents brought in over the summer, like linebackers Manny Lawson and Thomas Howard, have proved shrewd additions despite most fans bemoaning their arrival at the time.

Up front, the Bengals have for the first time in years a genuine pass rush which has made life difficult for opposing quarterbacks. Not only that, they have depth, so much so that the absence of Carlos Dunlap from the line over the past few games has not been so noticeable because of how Geno Atkins and Robert Geathers are playing. The ability to rotate means the Bengals defensive line remains fresh throughout the game and has been one of the key reasons we have been so dominant in the fourth quarter of games this season.

For the first time in a long time, the Bengals have brought in players to fit a system. Howard and Lawson are examples of this, ditto safety Kelly Jennings who has frankly been nothing short of a revelation.

But where they have really struck gold is on offense and their selections of quarterback Andy Dalton and receiver AJ Green in this year’s draft.

I’ve always been one of those who says you shouldn’t draft a receiver in the first round and suggested the Bengals should not pick Green.

Wrong again.

The guy is incredible, he catches everything thrown even vaguely near him. Quiet too – a nice change from our previous number one wideouts.

Green is the perfect safety blanket for Dalton, who has been the biggest surprise of a hugely surprising few weeks.

He is never flustered, he makes good decisions and he quickly learns from mistakes. Watching him improve from game to game and often during has been a pleasure.

Most of all he’s a winner. Carson Palmer may have had the better mechanics but more often than not he went missing in the close games. In complete contrast, Dalton appears to thrive when the game is on the line and is the main reason the Bengals have been much better on third down – for so long another recurring problem with our teams. It’s not often I agree with Ben Roethlisberger but if the Bengals make the play-offs, or even finish with a winning record, Dalton has to be a shoe-in for rookie of the year.

I suppose that’s the big question then, will we make the play-offs?

It goes without saying Sunday’s game is big. The Bengals currently sit a game behind the Ravens and Steelers, having lost to them both. Common consensus is that a 10-6 record will be good enough for a wildcard berth but if the Bengals go to the ‘Burgh and get the W, don’t write them off for the division. This is a young side and whereas in 2005 and 2009 we faltered down the stretch, this time around I’m more optimistic.

Most pundits are expecting us to lose to Pittsburgh and Baltimore (who we play on the final day) but pick up wins against Arizona, St Louis and Houston to make the postseason.

But it’s far too early to call the AFC North. Baltimore has already shown an ability to lose to teams they should beat, even going down in Seattle! They still have to play Cleveland twice and a San Diego team who need wins. One school of thought is that the Ravens will already be locked into their playoff berth when they visit Cincinnati on the final day and may rest starters, meaning a simple win for the Bengals if we need one at that stage. By contrast, I have the feeling there could be quite a lot riding on that game and should we take down the Steelers this week, it could be the division crown.

Then again, when am I right about anything?

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Readers who submit articles must agree to our terms of use. The content is the sole responsibility of the contributor and is unmoderated. But we will react if anything that breaks the rules comes to our attention. If you wish to complain about this article, contact us here