I think there's a few teams that could be said to work like that, especially if you substitute post season loss for just
getting to the post season. Dolphins and Chargers especially come to mind.
Bengals play in a tough division, and have been making the post season for years now. Some credit should be due. I think the main problem is that no one's scared of them. They just need that 1 post season win or 1 convincing win against a percieved better team to make fans look at them differently.
Last year's Broncos game was close to a statement, but then the Broncos got humiliated on their own field by the Colts and the Bengals lost first round again, making their 1 statement win more a statement about the Broncos then it was about the Bengals.
The Bengals have played the Patriots close the past 2 years, winning at home and getting an unfairly motivated Patriots team away last year. Even then that win wasn't as lopsided as it seemed on the final score. Depending on hwo the schedule turns out I think they're going to be in the conversation again for division wins and post season appearances.
Speaking of:
SCHEDULE TOMORROW WOOOOHOOOO! 8 pm ET, be there or be square.
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I should add, there's been some talk about the NFL promoting the 50 year superbowl thing all year, and do it by commemorating match ups between superbowl teams in the process. If that's really the case the Patriots will open against the Eagles.
I think the more logical option though is that they pick the easiest to market match up for the season opener, in which case it will be the Steelers.
We'll see tomorrow though. Maybe they surprise us and start with a Buffalo-New England season opener. (though I'm praying they don't

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