Black Monday

Well, the Monday after Week 17 of the NFL season is always the day when Head Coaches get the AX.

Guys like Dick Lebeau (2002), Romeo Crennel (2008 and 2012), Andy Reid (2012), Lovie Smith (2012), Chan Gailey (2012)

The Buffalo Bills have not been the same franchise sense the Mid 1990's when they went to four super bowls

The Chiefs have not been the same since Dick Vermeil coached them in the mid 2000's.

The Browns have not been the same sense the 1994 season and they have only made one playoff appearance since 1999 (2002)

On this night in 2007

On this night in 2007...

The New England Patriots traveled to the Meadowlands in New Jersey to face a determined New York Giants team. The Patriots entered the game 15-0 and looked to become the first NFL team to finish the Regular Season 16-0.

This was one of the most highly anticipated week 17 games in NFL History. With the Giants already in the playoffs as a #5 seed and the Patriots already locked up the #1 seed. This was a classic.

The Patriots outlasted the Giants 38-35 as Tom Brady would break Peyton Manning's record for single season touchdown passes.

Also on this very night, The Dayton Flyers hosted the #6 ranked and undefeated Pitt Panthers. The Flyers would upset the Panther's 90-55 behind 31 points from Brian Roberts.

Bengals back in the playoffs baby. Yeah

How sweet it is that the Bengals are back in the playoffs for the 2nd straight year and doing it at the expense of there hated rival Pittsburgh. I bet the 2005 and 2006 Bengals know how the Steelers felt after yesterdays defensive struggle. That was the best defensive effort the Bengals had most likely since week 2 of the 2005 season against the Vikings.

On this day in Bengals history. A moment that will last a lifetime

On December 21, 1997, The Bengals hosted the Balitmore Ravens at Cinergy Field. With the Bengals trailing 14-9 in the 4th Quarter, Boomer Esaison performed on last great moment. He went deep and connected with Darnay Scott for 77 yards to give the Bengals a 16-14 lead. It was his last NFL pass. The Bengals finished 7-9

On this day in Bengals History

On December 14, 1997, The Bengals hosted the Dallas Cowboys. The Cowboys had Hall of Famer's Emmitt Smith, Michael Irvin and Troy Aikman on the team. The Cowboys jumped out to a 10-0 lead.

Early in the 2nd Quarter facing a 3rd and 1 from the Dallas 22 yard line, Bengals QB Boomer Esaison Called and audible, it was vintage Boomer, The Bengals offensive line went to the right, the Cowboys went to the left. Eric Beienmy scored on a 22 yard run to get the Bengals off and running.

Esaison would throw touchdown passes to David Dunn and Darney Scott in the 2nd Quarter as the Bengals turned a 10-0 deficit into a 24-10 lead.

Cory Dillion would add a touchdown in the 3rd Quarter as the Bengals would defeat the Cowboys 31-24. My Dad, Peter and Eli (my cousins) and I are in attendance that day.

I've been very fortunite to see some of the NFL's finest at their respective positions: Joe Montana, John Elway, Dan Marino, Brett Farve, Troy Aikman, Emmitt Smith, Terrel Davis, Terrel Owens, Chad Johnson, Michael Irvin, Jerry Rice, Drew Brees, Carson Palmer, Ben Roethlisberger, Jerome Bettis, Hines Ward, Ray Lewis.

On this day in Bengals History: Dillion breaks rookie rushing record

On this day in 1997, The Cincinnati Bengals hosted the Tennesee Oilers (Now the Titans) on ESPN Thursday Night Football. It was a night for the ages for Rookie running back Cory Dillion. He would run for a rookie record 246 yards on 39 carries in the Bengals 41-14 Victory. Dillion would break Walter Payton's single game rushing record in October of 2000 against the Denver Broncos