I think it was more along the lines of "People who want us to tank aren't real fans". And, from a team perspective, I get it. You are paid on your performance. If you tanked it by week 6 or week 8, then half your season will look like crap which will directly affect your next contract. So, from a player perspective, I get it.
you have to be an alcoholic to keep going to the games. It gives people a socially acceptable reason to get drunk off their asses. People like that go for the atmosphere, the tailgating, the environment, the comradery, the experience, but mostly, none of them would still be paying much attention if they weren't drunk off their asses.
On the other hand, we did continue to go to FCC games long after they were eliminated from the playoffs, but I actually do enjoy the experience and the game. Watching Bengals games to me has become like watching the WWE, the refs aren't allowed to make mistakes in favor of the low market teams, so they make damn sure they don't. Some of the shadier players on the Bengals rosters of past have made some costly mistakes to effect the outcomes of important bengals games. the shit has become so predictable that it's best not to watch that intently.