Cincinnati Bengals @ Miami Dolphins - Week 17

It's always sad to see your team play it's final regular season game when they won't be making the playoffs. It doesn't matter if you are eliminated in the final week, a couple weeks before, or a couple months before, it is the final chance to see them put one in the 'W' column.

The Dolphins have caught a break, if you want to call it that. Because we were so atrocious for the first fifteen games, we are mathematically locked into the #1 draft spot and we (thankfully) do not have to debate the morals of should the team tank or not to improve our draft position.

I believe Miami has a lot going in their favor for this game. First, the Bengals are a mediocre team at best. They had high hopes this season but they forgot that their defense is still no good. They actually remind me a lot of the 2006 Dolphins, lofty expectations, bad start, a couple nice wins but overall a big disappointment.

Also, Cincinnati put all of their effort and emotion into last week's game. They were attempting to defend their home field against a big division rival and deal them a damaging blow to their playoff hopes. They did it, but let's be honest, the Bengals MVP of the game was Derek Anderson, and he plays for the Browns. Now they must try to bottle up that feeling and take it on the road for the final game. I just don't see them coming out and playing a great game.

Miami, on the other hand, does have a big motivating factor. All the players and coaches will be trying to impress the new boss. Joey Porter said when Parcells walked out to watch practice that players were running just a bit faster and coaches were talking just a bit louder. In the end I don't think this will matter for any body's job security because Bill will watch the film from the first fifteen games and see what really went on here. But for this week, they will be trying really hard and should execute.

So in short, I think the Bengals will give the 'Phins a good opportunity to win this one, and with Miami's effort they will actually accept the chance.

Dolphins 24, Bengals 21