Gameday and Open Thread: Bengals @ Steelers (Game #12)

by Kirkendall on Dec 2, 2007 2:26 PM EST in Game Log

Game:Cincinnati Bengals (4-7) at Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)
Series Leader: Steelers, 44-30
Streak: Steelers, five of the past seven.
Coaches vs. Opponent: Lewis: 3-7. Tomlin: 1-0
Broadcast: NBC (8:15 PM ET): Al Michaels, John Madden & Andrea Kremer (Field reporter). Westwood One Radio: Dave Sims, Bob Trumpy. SIRIUS: 123 (Westwood); 122 (Cin.), 126 (Pit.).
SB Nation: Behind the Steel Curtain
NFL.com: Game Center
Weather: Showers (40%) with a high of 44 [Weather.com]
Uniform: White
Bengals at Steelers Primer
Today: With this being a national game, I won't be blogging. Comments are welcome.
Inactive/Out: T Willie Anderson (knee) and WR Santonio Holmes (ankle).

Other Status Reports
Bengals. Probable: WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (back), S Dexter Jackson (wrist), WR Chad Johnson (knee), LB Landon Johnson (back), S Nedu Ndukwe (Achilles), CB Deltha O'Neal (knee), DT John Thornton (knee), RB Kenny Watson (hip)
Steelers. Doubtful: S Troy Polamalu (knee) and T Marvel Smith (back). Probable: CB Bryant McFadden (ankle)

Starters: (not official)

(D, Doubtful... Q, Questionable)

POS.	Projected
QB	Palmer
RB	R.Johnson
FB	J.Johnson
WR	C. Johnson
WR	Houshmandzadeh
TE	Kelly
LT	Jones
LG	Whitworth
C	Ghiaciuc
RG	Williams
RT	Andrews

POS	D
LE	Geathers
DT	Thornton
DT	Peko
RE	Smith
WB	D.Jones
MB	L.Johnson
SB	R.Jeanty
SS	Jackson
FS	Williams
CB	Joseph
CB	Hall

0 recs | Comment 68 comments

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Comments

WTF?

Did Marvin lose his red flag on the Roethlisberger TD?

by Brian B on Dec 2, 2007 9:23 PM EST 0 recs

Yeah, I was surprised that he didn't challenge it.

by sledridge on Dec 2, 2007 10:05 PM EST up 0 recs

First Pittsburg Score

It's apparent that Cincy has questions with the coaching staff. Rothlisburger did not score and Cincy should have challenged the play but did not.

Cincy may have been able to stop Pittsburgh from scoring.

by davidincincinnati on Dec 2, 2007 9:25 PM EST 0 recs

challenge

I could be wrong, but wasn't that a 3rd down play? Pittsburgh may have kicked the field goal at least.

by Brian B on Dec 2, 2007 11:42 PM EST up 0 recs

Holt

Sucks! We need a better return man. Also, the D is doing a good job so far.

by Brasilian Bengal on Dec 2, 2007 9:30 PM EST 0 recs

D..

.. is back to normal. No way you let them convert on 3rd and long with 30 seconds to go on the half, INSIDE THE REDZONE. That was just bad.
By the way, where's our Offense?

by Brasilian Bengal on Dec 2, 2007 9:53 PM EST 0 recs

Giving up

The offense is in Operation Shutdown mode. This game is turning out to be just like the BC-Virginia Tech game yesterday. BC came out and looked like they were going to blow V Tech out of the water, and then they just disappeared. The Bengals aren't even trying the things that were so easy to do on the first drive.

by Brian B on Dec 2, 2007 9:58 PM EST 0 recs

Where's Kirk?

Hey, someone tell us why Cincy can't seem to play against Pittsburgh. We can all see the game but we can't understand why Cincy went into a funk.

by davidincincinnati on Dec 2, 2007 10:07 PM EST 0 recs

JJ

Ward has been able to get open. But, JJ has made some good tackles and now gets FR.

by sledridge on Dec 2, 2007 10:13 PM EST 0 recs

2nd half

What the hell are they doing? Two wasted plays, and it's 3rd and 14. Did they do anything at half time?

by Brian B on Dec 2, 2007 10:21 PM EST 0 recs

Carson took a knee

Then he ran on 2nd and 12 and then threw a grounder on 3rd down.

by davidincincinnati on Dec 2, 2007 10:24 PM EST 0 recs

Palmer

has been horrible since that first drive. He's missing by a lot. We need to get Henry involved and use Watson more

by Brasilian Bengal on Dec 2, 2007 10:27 PM EST 0 recs

Fumble Recovery

cincy recovered a fumble and I just noticed that Rudi Johnson is like 8-9 yards off the line of scrimmage. No wonder he has trouble rushing.

by davidincincinnati on Dec 2, 2007 10:27 PM EST 0 recs

masochism

This season is convincing me that it is time to break up the coaching staff. D-line stunts on running downs, refusing to run Watson, forgetting to cover Bengals-killer Hines Ward, and on and on. It's just the LeBeau era with some better talent.

And why is Justin Smith playing free safety?

I can't look away, because I'm amazed they can screw up so consistantly.

by Decker on Dec 2, 2007 10:36 PM EST 0 recs

Fire them all

The coaches make mistakes over and over that other coaches in the league never make once.

by Brian B on Dec 2, 2007 10:47 PM EST up 0 recs

Smith playing safety.

That one got me too. They've been doing crazy stuff like that all year. I guess it doesn't make any difference because thaey can't put a rush on either.

by davidincincinnati on Dec 2, 2007 10:49 PM EST up 0 recs

We can't cover the short passing game

to save our lives.

by Brasilian Bengal on Dec 2, 2007 10:38 PM EST 0 recs

true

Maybe if the Bengals wouldn't play with seven yard cushions.

by Decker on Dec 2, 2007 10:46 PM EST up 0 recs

Short passes.

It's just like Madden says. You have Hall playing back on Ward when Pittsburgh has the ball inside the 10 yard line. Madden says it's just giving Pittsburgh a TD.

Cincinnati has been playing like this forever. It's time to tell it like it is. The need to clean house and get some coaches in here.

by davidincincinnati on Dec 2, 2007 10:52 PM EST up 0 recs

Ward

is gonna finish the night with 100000 catches. And we are not gonna me surprised.

by Brasilian Bengal on Dec 2, 2007 10:45 PM EST 0 recs

Now hiring . . .

How can high school football in Cincinnati be so good, yet the Bengals are so bad?

by Brian B on Dec 2, 2007 10:45 PM EST 0 recs

Rudi

Rudi Johnson runs the ball like he is 300 pounds, but he gets hit like he is 120 pounds.

by Brian B on Dec 2, 2007 10:48 PM EST 0 recs

Palmer's passing.

I can't believe some of the passes I'm seeing Palmer throwing in this game.

by davidincincinnati on Dec 2, 2007 10:55 PM EST 0 recs

It sure seems like

Palmer took a step back this year. Im hoping he takes two steps foward next year.

by Brasilian Bengal on Dec 2, 2007 10:56 PM EST up 0 recs

Bench Carson?

I hate to put blame on him, but my goodness. he's throwing to imaginary receivers now.

by Brian B on Dec 2, 2007 10:56 PM EST 0 recs

referees

They better overrule this. They need to can the replay system if they rule Parker down this time.

by Brian B on Dec 2, 2007 10:59 PM EST 0 recs

and the runner was down.

BS I call.

by Brasilian Bengal on Dec 2, 2007 11:02 PM EST up 0 recs

Overruling.

Regardless of whether the overrule or not, Cincy should be in this predicament to start with.

Obviously the QB is stinking up the game and obviously if you can't get receviers open then you're not going to be able to complete passes.

Such is the liability of not having a QB that can run.

by davidincincinnati on Dec 2, 2007 11:05 PM EST up 0 recs

this is horeshit

That's a goddamn fumble.

by Brian B on Dec 2, 2007 11:02 PM EST 0 recs

Another review?

They're going to find another reason for this to not be a fumble.

by Brian B on Dec 2, 2007 11:04 PM EST 0 recs

garbage

just garbage.

by Brian B on Dec 2, 2007 11:10 PM EST 0 recs

Make sense

If you punt it, maybe the Parker will fumble and the D can return it for a TD. It's the only way the Bengals will score.

by Decker on Dec 2, 2007 11:11 PM EST 0 recs

Cincy needs an interception right now.

Maybe if the defense gets a score they can get back in the game.

by davidincincinnati on Dec 2, 2007 11:14 PM EST 0 recs

So much for our great Passing Offense

by Brasilian Bengal on Dec 2, 2007 11:15 PM EST 0 recs

you've got be F ing kidding me

A safety negated by defensive holding?

It's something new every play.

by Brian B on Dec 2, 2007 11:16 PM EST 0 recs

on replay

that's a pathetic call by the officials. If anything, Ward ran into Hall's hand.

by Brian B on Dec 2, 2007 11:17 PM EST up 0 recs

Picked!

Nice call David.

by Brian B on Dec 2, 2007 11:18 PM EST 0 recs

Sweet

INT!

by Brasilian Bengal on Dec 2, 2007 11:18 PM EST 0 recs

What's Rudi still doing out there?

Get Watson in please.

by Brasilian Bengal on Dec 2, 2007 11:19 PM EST 0 recs

Good god, Carson.

by Brian B on Dec 2, 2007 11:19 PM EST 0 recs

Of course

Ward saved the TD.

And Rudi up the middle for goose-egg.

Good thing the Brown family poured all the money into offense.

by Decker on Dec 2, 2007 11:20 PM EST 0 recs

The Bengals.

Man, I've seen everything. You intercept the ball at the 18 yard line, 2 scores down and you decide to run the ball.

If I the coach I would be warming up another QB.

by davidincincinnati on Dec 2, 2007 11:20 PM EST 0 recs

Get Watson in there

He's good for 4 on every carry.

by Brian B on Dec 2, 2007 11:20 PM EST 0 recs

Offense

Watching the Bengals try to punch it into the end zone is like watching the Bengals pull their own teeth out.

by Brian B on Dec 2, 2007 11:21 PM EST 0 recs

Comments from Madden

Madden said that Marvin should have challenged the call on Henry.

I've not seen a single pass to a TE all night.

by davidincincinnati on Dec 2, 2007 11:26 PM EST up 0 recs

Reggie Kelly

Had a catch on a short pass in the first half and made nice lunge for the first down.

by Brian B on Dec 3, 2007 12:00 AM EST up 0 recs

We should try

Rudy at QB. Can't be much worse than what we are seeing now.

by Brasilian Bengal on Dec 2, 2007 11:24 PM EST 0 recs

Yeah, actually.

That would be worse.

by Brian B on Dec 2, 2007 11:27 PM EST up 0 recs

Abominable

What else is there to say?

Tom Blogical

by Tom Blogical on Dec 2, 2007 11:24 PM EST 0 recs

I don't think they can ask

for any more opportunities. They've squandered more than their share.

by Brian B on Dec 2, 2007 11:26 PM EST 0 recs

Oh my god

Another Bengal penalty for first down. I cannot believe how many times the Bengals put the barrel of the gun to their mouths. Over and over. Seriously. No one else does this but us.

Just move the team to LA already. I'm sick of it.

by Brian B on Dec 2, 2007 11:28 PM EST 0 recs

Help me out here

Penalty negates a safety
Penalty gives first down on a Steelers punt from the end zone
Turn over on downs after four plays within the 5 yard line

I'm having a stroke here.

by Brian B on Dec 2, 2007 11:32 PM EST 0 recs

Add false start to the list

by Brian B on Dec 2, 2007 11:33 PM EST up 0 recs

Hall penalty

The call on Hall was really lame at best. I wonder if Rothlisburger was already sacked when the hold occurred.

by davidincincinnati on Dec 2, 2007 11:34 PM EST up 0 recs

Cincy would have won this game if.......

If they wouldn't have piddled around and squandered all of the games that they should have won they would have been incontention and wouldn't be desparate and trying to win out.

If they would have won those games they wouldn't be under pressure and they would probably be having fun and would probably win this game.

Now it's time to look to next year.

by davidincincinnati on Dec 2, 2007 11:33 PM EST 0 recs

That's a little too far

I would go with "the Bengals would have won this game if they didn't have their heads so far up their asses."

by Brian B on Dec 2, 2007 11:34 PM EST up 0 recs

Well......that too!

They and the coaches have their head up their ass.

Oh, they had another dropped pass.

by davidincincinnati on Dec 2, 2007 11:37 PM EST up 0 recs

The question is

can Palmer complete another pass before the game ends?

by Brasilian Bengal on Dec 2, 2007 11:34 PM EST 0 recs

Nice thinking Chad.

by Brian B on Dec 2, 2007 11:40 PM EST 0 recs

I think the fat lady just sang.

Cincinnati had only beat one team with a winning record this season and I think that they have only won one game on the road.

I think they have hit a new low with this performance.

by davidincincinnati on Dec 2, 2007 11:41 PM EST 0 recs

17/44

Good job Carson.

by Brasilian Bengal on Dec 2, 2007 11:41 PM EST 0 recs

Well, another winnable game thrown away

They could have at least tried a little. This was like a pre-season game where they started their regulars and then threw some undrafted scrubs out there for the rest of the game. The only difference is that those scrubs would have shown a little effort.

by Brian B on Dec 2, 2007 11:43 PM EST 0 recs

Palmer is...

...not a good QB anymore. Let's face it. What little mobility he had prior to his knee injury is gone now. He's a statue. If protection fails (and I think the news is out around the league--pressure him into oblivion), he's not going to be able to save the play.

His stats look OK, but there are simply too many INTs and lack of key conversions for me.

Of course the Bengals will stick with him until next year. However, I believe he'll have another year similar to this one.

They need to look for a QB in the draft after the season is over (or maybe now). Somebody who can actually run from pressure.

If you think I'm crazy--just compare him to Roethlisberger and you'll see what I mean.

Tom Blogical

by Tom Blogical on Dec 2, 2007 11:46 PM EST 0 recs

posted too soon sorry cont.

all that i wish we had stuck with kitna at least he can move a little and has alot better accuracy than palmer

"Men do not reject the Bible because it contradicts itself, but because it contradicts them" -E. Paul Harvey

by kitnafan on Dec 3, 2007 1:22 AM EST up 0 recs

disregaurd that last post this is what i ment

i agree i know my name says it all that i wish we had stuck with kitna at least he can move a little and has alot better accuracy than palmer

"Men do not reject the Bible because it contradicts itself, but because it contradicts them" -E. Paul Harvey

by kitnafan on Dec 3, 2007 1:24 AM EST up 0 recs

Kitna was definitely not the answer either...

Did you notice what happened to the Bengals offense right after Palmer went down with the knee injury? Kitna came in and the offense was a shell of it's former self. This was before the time defenses knew what to do with the receivers and tight ends.

Kitna is an average QB, but he's not a franchise player.

I have to question the Offensive Coordinator too, though. There are NO adjustments being made to what defenses are doing.

Tom Blogical

by Tom Blogical on Dec 3, 2007 8:59 AM EST up 0 recs

My last game

... for this year anyways. I can't take that kind of self-abuse. It's not even enjoyable football - just sloppy, half-assed execution and clueless decisions.

I can't wait for the NFL to move everything to their network, so I can not pay AND save myself a few hours of hoping for decent football.

by Decker on Dec 2, 2007 11:52 PM EST 0 recs