More photos » by Ben Margot - AP

18 days ago: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer (9) passes against the Oakland Raiders in the first quarter of an NFL football game, in Oakland, Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009.(AP Photo/Ben Margot)

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Should the Bengals attack the Vikings through the air this weekend? It's not exactly a state secret that the Cincinnati Bengals decided to follow the same model that two successful AFC North teams have used in their own respective successes. Effective rushing offense. Strong defense. So when the Bengals rush the football more than they ever have on a Marvin Lewis team, is the question about balance all that necessary? Then again, what do you mean by balance? Do you mean yardage? Do you mean play calling?

The Bengals offense has rushed the football 51.2% of the time, while passing 49.7% of their 793 offensive snaps. Though, I feel you while your argument starts simmering about predictability. This isn't a Bob Bratkowski bash-fest.

But my primary question is, what philosophy is working best this year? The combined winning percentage of the top ten teams that have passed the most through 12 games this year, is 0.675 (81-39). The combined winning percentage of the top ten teams that have rushed the football the most this year is 0.625 (75-45).

The next question. With Cincinnati heading to the comforts of a warm dome in Minnesota, should the Bengals go from a rush-heavy offense to a pass-happy offense? The Vikings have one of the best tackle combinations in the league, which limits opposing offenses to 84.2 yards rushing per game -- third in the NFL -- with only three touchdowns rushing allowed all season. On the other hand, the Vikings are middle of the pack against the pass. They're passing defense ranks 21st, allowing 18 touchdowns this season with an opposing quarterback rating of 91.2. But they also sport the league's best pass rush, sacking the quarterback 40 times this season.

So if you're the Cincinnati Bengals' offensive coordinator? Would you game plan a passing attack? Keep the status quo and pound the football until the Viking stop you? Or would you do your best to have a balanced attack?

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Welcome to this week's Six-Pack of Hu-Dey. Today Jay McDonnell joins us. I (Josh Kirkendall, the Alpha Male) discusses why the Bengals should give Marvin Lewis a contract extension, why Leon Hall should be grouped with the league's elite cornerbacks and I ask whether the team's three-tackle rotation at right tackle should be changed.

Jay says that it's time to cut Daniel Coats, that it's time for Bob Bratkowski to become less predictable and that fans of our divisional foes (ah hum, the Steelers) should give a little respect to the Bengals this season.

Let's get to it.

The Bengals give Marvin Lewis another contract extension after this season. I believe in two things. If the moon had never existed, the complex living organisms that exist today simply don't exist either. I also believe that Marvin Lewis has developed a talent rebuilding teams. Theoretically, it would be nice that rebuilding projects were spaced out more with the Bengals and that the train keeps rolling year, after year, after year. Realistically, even organizations that pump out winners like the Patriots or the St... St... St... Steelers need periods to rebuild themselves. Marvin Lewis is now in his seventh season, finishing his second rebuilding project. This, just perhaps, could be his masterpiece.

After going 1-11-1 in 2008, the Bengals have remarkably won 13 of their next 16 games. These changes include, but are far from being limited to, a deep understanding of the team's personnel. Most notably, Lewis revised the team's entire philosophy to a powerful rush offense and a tremendously performing defense. This will be his second rebuilding project after taking on a team that was 2-12 in 2002 and delivering four straight non-losing seasons and a playoff appearance in 2005.

I really believe that Lewis, like any NFL player, is getting better every season. I'm not just talking about his record either. Controversy is being handled with ease. Adversity is a distant thing of the bitter past with this team. Even his draft picks are improving. And when the team is down and out (ala, 2008), they unified and matured like we've never seen, into this group that we're damned proud of in 2009.

Lewis' existing contract expires after the 2010 season -- the same time the CBA expires, which may be a factor in NOT giving him an extension. The Bengals' biggest mistake would be letting two people leave Cincinnati, namely Mike Zimmer and Marvin Lewis. Lewis could arguably be the most important of the two. After all, he's the face of this franchise.

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The Bengals officially signed Defensive Tackle Shaun Smith on Wednesday, tweets Joe Reedy. After hearing rumors and reports that he was in town and could sign, that became less of a surprise.

The real surprise?

The Bengals put tight end Chase Coffman on season-ending Injury Reserve. Josh Katzowitz writes that Coffman was suffering from bone spurs in his ankle. Coffman's placement on IR is no real loss, considering he wasn't active for any regular season games this year. However, the prospect that the Bengals would cut Daniel Coats -- because, for the love god, you have to cut Daniel Coats -- suddenly dimmed.

More photos » by Matt York - AP

4 days ago: Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre leads his team onto the field to face the Arizona Cardinals prior to an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009 in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Paul Connors)

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Game: Cincinnati Bengals (9-3) at Minnesota Vikings (10-2)
Series Leader: Series tied, 5-5
Streak: Bengals have won two of the past three
Coaches vs. Opponent: Lewis: 1-0. Childress: 0-0
Broadcast: CBS (12:00 PM CT): Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf.  Westwood One Radio: Kevin Kugler, Mark Malone.  SIRIUS: 129 (Cin.), 122 (Min.).  XM: 107 (Min.).
SB Nation: Daily Norseman
NFL.com: Game Center
Weather: Dome
Uniform: White
Television Coverage: Many states. Check the map [506]

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Yesterday it was reported that the Bengals were interested in defensive tackle Shaun Smith. Smith later confirmed he came into Cincinnati for a visit. Domata Peko is reportedly out until the season finale, at least. So the Bengals, with a rotation of Tank Johnson, Pat Sims, Orien Harris at defensive tackle, with Jonathan Fanene and Frostee Rucker taking few snaps is good enough for that stretch run.

And honestly, I do approve of this team actively looking and finding solutions, even if they are temporary. Most of us made our opinion known that we're not in support of it -- not because he's another trouble-making player that Mike Brown is looking to "redeem". Rather he was here already at one point, mixed it up in the media about a fight that happened three years prior and has created several lockerroom issues with other teams.

All indications are that the Bengals will sign Smith on Wednesday.

Here's a trivia question for you guys. Since entering the league in 2007, Vikings running back Adrian Peterson has rushed for 4,204 yards on the ground. That's 705 yards rushing more than the running back that's rushed for the second-most yards since 2007. Name that running back.

This is a sponsored post by JC Penney/Van Heusen

In late October, we encouraged you to vote in the first ever Pro Football Hall of Fame Fan's Choice Poll. Over 225,000 voted. I hope you did all you could for Bengals players. Although the fan vote doesn't actually apply to the official Hall of Fame vote, the point in the Fan's Choice Poll is a way for you to get out and support the Bengals players you think should be selected. You know, like Ken Anderson, or Ken Riley among others.

In the end, that didn't work. However, of the fan's choice results, 11 of the semi-finalists selected by the Board of Selectors actually weren't chosen by the fans. They are: quarterbacks Randall Cunningham, Jim Plunkett, Phil Simms and Joe Theismann, defensive back Steve Atwater, tight end Todd Christensen, defensive lineman Ed “Too Tall” Jones, wide receiver Sterling Sharpe,  head coach Tom Flores, game official Jim Tunney, and athletic trainer Otho Davis.

It's amazing that the Board of Selectors picked 11 people that the fans didn't agree with. But that's the best part about the voting process. Making your voice heard.

You, as football fans, are back in the game. It's your turn to make your voice heard again. Choose among the 25 semi-finalists for the players you believe should be finalists for the 2010 class in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Go here and vote.

If there's one signing I'm dead set against, it's the Bengals bringing defensive tackle Shaun Smith back. The Enquirer's Joe Reedy writes that the "Bengals have an interest" bringing Smith back to Cincinnati. If I say it really nice, I say, "please, no". If I say it honestly, I say, "are you f***king crazy?!"

Smith was released by the Browns during training camp, signed with Detroit and then was released the last weekend of training camp. He has also been suspended for the first four games of the season for violating the league’s anabolic steroid policy.

Over the past two seasons, Smith started 20 games for the Browns. He played two games in the UFL with Las Vegas.

Back in March 7, 2008, Smith had broken the silence over the infamous fight between Chad Johnson (as he was called at the time) and Marvin Lewis during the 2005 Wild Card game that the Bengals lost to Pittsburgh. Smith said in 2008:

"He swung on Marvin. . . . [Johnson] shattered the training room glass. . . . He swung on Marvin [and] hit Marvin in the eye. . . . Then he tried to swing on wide receivers coach Hue Jackson, who's now in Baltimore."

The Bengals refused comment. Hue Jackson told his side of the story. Smith is also known for getting into a fight with Browns quarterback Brady Quinn. Per PFT, "After a verbal altercation, between the two, Smith punched Quinn in the face." Then earlier this year, per PFT:

According to WKNR radio (via the Akron-Beacon Journal), Smith gave Browns G.M. George Kokinis an "expletive-filled tongue lashing" in a stadium hallway after Saturday's preseason game in Cleveland.

So, really. Bengals. Are you f***king serious?!