I have been a Bengals fan since 1981 when I was 9 years old

[Tobin S.]

There have been a few good Bengals teams since then, a couple even went to the Super Bowl in the 80s. But for the most part they've been mediocre at best, and usually just plain bad.

There is something good about that, though, at least for me. After being disappointed so many times, especially in those two Super Bowl losses, it has made me not take sports all that seriously. When the Bengals lose I think, "Oh, well, that's alright," instead becoming clinically depressed. :D

Don't look now, though. The Bengals are 4-1 and in first place in the AFC North. I might have to break down and actually watch a game or two this year.

[JonLP24]

1. 3rd place in the AFC

Jets still have a game to play to see if they can go 4-1 but strong start for the Bengals. I hope they can keep it up. :D

Edit If you didn't see the Bengals play this year you missed some REALLY good games.

[Tobin S.]

2. I haven't seen a game yet, but I've heard they've been good games

I listened to yesterday's game on the radio for a little bit. After that heartbreaker loss in the first game, I didn't really have high hopes for them this year. I guess I've just become accustomed to seeing them do badly. But I think that loss was to the Broncos and we can see how good they've turned out to be so far. So maybe we've got something going in Cincy this year.

[jobycom]

3. Saints fans!!

You say "couple" of Super Bowls like it's no big deal. The Saints didn't have a winning season for their first 20 years, have never been to a Super Bowl, and have rarely had back to back good seasons.

They are 5-0. And I'm not ready to hope yet. Next week they play the 5-0 Giants (QBed by the son of one of the very few Saints heroes). If they win that, I'll start to let my adrenaline creep up a bit.

[Tobin S.]

4. I feel you :)

It's pretty hard to be worse than the Bengals, but the Saints have accomplished that. If the Saints lose that Giants game I wouldn't give up on them. They will probably still do well this year.

[susanr516]

9. The Saints have the greatest fans

Even when they put paper bags over their heads, they showed up and cheered their team on.

[Bertha Venation]

5. The Cardiac Cats! being so called because

they've been in so many hotly-contested games with last-minute heroics.

[Tobin S.]

6. That just makes winning more gratifying

I'd take a blow out or two, though, to keep the hospitals in the area from getting too crowded. :D

[JonLP24]

7. Brings back memories of the Cardiac Cards

1998 Arizona Cardinals won 7 games by 3 points or less. They hit a last second field goal at home against San Diego in a must win to make the playoffs in only their second sell-out of the season.

The first sell-out was a home game against the Cowboys. Dallas was leading 28-0, then Jake Plummer led a furious comeback bringing them within 35-28 and on the last play of the game he threw it(I remember this vividly) a Dallas defender tackled Frank Sanders to the ground before the ball arrived but there was no flag for pass interference.

However the Cardinals got their revenge in the Wild Card round against the Dallas Cowboys. They were winning 19-0 but Dallas scored late to take away the shut out so Arizona won 19-7 that round but was blown out in the Divisional round by the '98 Vikings who were 2nd highest scoring and yardage gained offense in NFL history(the '07 Patriots is the highest).

[deucemagnet]

8. I've really been enjoying their games.

Having just moved to Bengals country and being without cable, I don't have a lot of choice but to watch Bengals games. Their good start has eased my NFC East withdrawal symptoms. (I'm still going to find some streaming sites or a local bar to catch the Giants' games, though! :) )

[TZ]

10. The first time I ever got drunk

Was at the Superbowl the Bengals lost to the Niners with Joe Montana's amazing end of game drive...And then I was driven back to my college dorm that night (where my roomie laughed at me all night). :)
As a native Cincinnatian I've followed the Bengals on and off for years. Nice to see them doing well again.

[driver8]

11. I am a Bills' fan but have been watching the Bengals every Sunday!

I watched the show "Hard Knocks" on HBO and it was great getting to know the Bengals' players and coaches, so I decided I would follow them this year.

They have not disappointed!!