Sprint Game Ball Of The Week

Every other week we award a Game Ball of the Week, even if the Cincinnati Bengals are in the middle of one of their worst seasons, record-wise, in franchise history. Yet, Cincy Jungle has to pay the bills and doing so, we have to award digital hardware to someone for last week's 34-30 loss to the New Orleans Saints.

While we could be justified giving it to Carlos Dunlap for 1.5 quarterback sacks, both of which prevented the Saints from recording first downs, it would be irresponsible of us not to award it to Carson Palmer. I know what some of you are thinking. Carson? Why, oh, why, he who is viciously being debated among Bengals fans -- turned ferocious ideological political opponents -- as to whether he should leave Cincinnati after this year.

Completing 23 of 33 passes for 249 yards passing and a touchdown, Palmer literally showed his once elite pose late in the game. With the Bengals down 20-6 at half time, the Bengals offense charged with a 24-point second half led by Palmer completing 12 of 16 passes for 146 yards passing and a touchdown. Along with a third quarter touchdown to Terrell Owens that brought the Bengals to within a touchdown, Palmer engineered three straight touchdown possessions and an eight-play drive that resulted in a field goal that gave the Bengals a three-point lead.

Along with Dunlap, Cedric Benson would have been another good nomination with two rushing touchdowns.