By now, fans have heard plenty about how the Cincinnati Bengals faced a near-similar 5-4 situation last year before going on that run to the Super Bowl.
That’s where they find themselves again coming out of the bye week and confronted with a bout against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Locker room leader Mike Hilton says that this chance at a run is quite a bit different than last year since they’ve already proven they can do it.
“This year’s 5-4, we’re a lot more confident,” Hilton said, according to Geoff Hobson of Bengals.com. “Some of those losses are by one play. Go back to Pittsburgh. There was a long-snap issue. Dallas we lost on a field goal. Baltimore we lost on a field goal. Last year we got blown out a couple of times. (Joe) Burrow had the three interceptions in the Chicago. The whole confidence and mindset of this team is lot different than last year.”
It’s not shocking to find players leaning on ideas such as these for motivation despite most teams battling with similar small-score outcomes (and injuries, for example).
Still, Hilton’s not entirely wrong either. A loss to the Steelers at the start of the season doesn’t happen if a long-snapper doesn’t suffer a season-ending issue. And the team has gradually found its footing offensively thanks to some smooth adjustments by coaches.
Cincinnati’s remaining schedule is anything but simple on paper. But as Hilton or most of the locker room will tell onlookers, they’re confident in the chances of another run.
