Post-Game Open Thread: Saints Beat Bengals 34-30 With Last Minute Touchdown

No one expected the Bengals to make much of a game against the New Orleans Saints, last year's Super Bowl Champion on a four-game winning streak, having beaten most of their opponents by at least two scores, save for Thanksgiving night. Yet, the Bengals never allowed New Orleans to take off. Cincinnati held the Saints to a 13-6 lead at half time and even held onto a three-point lead late in the game.

The Bengals offense came alive in force in the second half, scoring three straight touchdowns and a field goal in a 24-point half; Cincinnati's offense didn't record a turnover or kick a punt. In total, the Bengals offense reached the red zone six times against the New Orleans Saints, scoring only six points on three first half red zone appearances but scoring all touchdowns in the second half.

In the end, the thing that killed the Bengals on Sunday was defense. The Saints, having a very good offense that shouldn't be disregarded as anything less, recorded 436 total yards on offense. It was a game that the Bengals defense allowed Drew Brees 313 yards passing, Chris Ivory 117 yards rushing and Robert Meachem 106 yards receiving. The Bengals defense allowed the Saints to record five plays of 40 yards or more, two of which resulted in touchdowns. Six of New Orleans drives went 65 yards or more, all resulting in the Saints 34 points Sunday.

Notes:

• The Cincinnati Reds have won five games since the last time the Cincinnati Bengals won.
• Carlos Dunlap recorded his second multiple sack game of the year, giving him 4.5 on the year. Dunlap has recorded 3.5 quarterback sacks in the past two games.
• Pat Sims was the only other defensive lineman to knock Drew Brees down.
• Quan Cosby had two returns of over 10 yards; 11 yards and 19 yards. Cosby's previous long punt return was 12 yards.
• Rookie place kicker Clint Stitser recorded three field goals in his NFL debut, including a 47-yard conversion that gave the Bengals a lead late in the game.
• Carson Palmer didn't throw an interception -- first game without an interception since October 24 against the Atlanta Falcons.
• Bernard Scott rushed for a season high 43 yards rushing. It's also the third most yards rushing in his career.
• Jermaine Gresham, after breaking Tony McGee's record for most receptions by a rookie tight end, caught the two-point conversion to tie the score at 27 late in the game.
• Reggie Nelson recorded his first interception as a Cincinnati Bengals.
• Geno Atkins recorded a half-sack against the Saints, giving him 1.5 quarterback sacks on the season. Atkins has split every sack this year.
• Stitser may have converted every field goal, he was less than desirable on kickoffs. The starting field position for the Saints were beyond the 30-yard line on five of his seven kickoffs.
• What were the Bengals doing on the final possession? After Brian Leonard picked up 14 yards to the Saints 37-yard line, the Bengals tried to get to the line to spike the football. However, they wasted at least six seconds by not calling a timeout immediately. Instead of having at least 15 seconds left in the game, the Bengals were left with eight seconds. Not that it matters, Palmer was sacked on the final play of the game so it ended up being mute anyway.
• Chad Ochocinco had three of the Bengals five longest plays -- all of which were over 20 yards.

Cincinnati's loss extends their losing streak to nine games, which ties them for the second-longest losing streak in franchise history and most during Marvin Lewis' head coaching career. The Bengals will face the Pittsburgh Steelers next week.