Bucking Trends: Quick starts and not playing from behind.

Another bucking the trend headline, which is inclusive of not allowing a touchdown in six straight quarters, is that the Bengals haven't played with a deficit since their 35-3 loss to the Indianapolis Colts two weeks ago.

Last week against the Washington Redskins, the Bengals exploded for a 14-point lead in the first quarter on the back of Cedric Benson recording 120 yards from scrimmage. The Redskins challenged with 10 points in the second quarter, but never sniffed the lead after that.

Against the Browns, Leon Hall returned an interception in the first quarter for a pick-six, giving the Bengals a seven-point Bengals lead (and evidently, all they'd need). The Browns were blanked, and obviously didn't challenge, thanks to Leon Hall and 118 yards rushing by Cedric Benson in the first half. That's 152 yards total, in both first halves combined for Benson.

The Bengals have taken a 28-10 lead in the past two first halves combined. The second half? Well, that's a different story. The Bengals have only scored three points, but have only allowed three points.

These past two games is as complete as this team has played; even against one team that had a winning record when we played them.