Why the 2009 Cincinnati Bengals Are Different

Fans that have continued to support the Cincinnati Bengals despite almost two decades of misery are feeling very cautious today. 

Why?  We have watched Mike Brown repeatedly make asinine personnel decisions, one failed draft pick after another, and some of the worst luck any football fan could possibly imagine.

After losing the season opener to Denver because of the immaculate deflection, Bengals fans were already having that "here we go again" feeling.  It is that gut-wrenching feeling in the pit of your stomach that most NFL fans have experienced at one time or another. 

However, for Bengals fans, it has been a chronic illness.

Resiliency is a word that does not normally apply to the Bengals.  If the opposition lands a few jabs in the first round, the knockout punch can usually be delivered soon after with no fear of retaliation.

Since the loss to Denver, the 2009 Bengals have proved themselves to be different.  This is not the same team that would have previously folded in the face of adversity.

In the last two weeks, they have been far from perfect.  The difference is how they have responded.

Yesterday, the Steelers defense held the Bengals in check during the first half.  Marvin Lewis needed his defense to make a play.  Jonathan Joseph intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown early in the second half.

A calm, cool, and collected Carson Palmer was able to orchestrate a 16-play, 71-yard drive that resulted in a four-yard touchdown pass to Andre Caldwell with 14 seconds left in the game.

That final drive consisted of two fourth-down conversions, including a reception and extra effort by Brian Leonard to set up the game-winning play.  Leonard also made the reception when the Bengals elected to go for the two-point conversion, making it 23-20.

In years past, Marvin Lewis and company lose yesterday's game.  Last second heroics by the Bengals have mostly been non-existent at Paul Brown Stadium.

The Bengals will be in Cleveland to take on the Browns next Sunday.  The Browns have been abysmal.  Will the Bengals suffer a letdown, or will they show why the 2009 Cincinnati Bengals are different?