Even the comments on this site slowed down in the third quarter as it became evident that Bengals were done, having nothing to offer the Steelers defense (or fans for that matter). The Bengals ran 23 plays, picking up 33 total yards between the second and third quarter. Watching Ryan Fitzpatrick was painful -- blame him or other factors if you will, his production was dreadful.

Between the two quarters, the Bengals called 11 more passes than rushes, a formula that has worked with Carson Palmer. Neither rushing nor efficient passing showed up between the second and third quarters, where the offense recorded one first down; compared to the Steelers 261 yards total and 13 first downs.

Admittedly, Fitzpatrick received no help on the play-calling because the rush offense went to lunch and it didn't seem beneficial to run the football, forcing Fitzpatrick to lead the offense; which he's not talented enough to do on his own.

During this stretch, the Bengals recorded five three-and-outs and a four-play turnover on downs after the Bengals were given a gift from my newest buddy Limas Sweed.

The problem with the offense all season has been the inability to consistently sustain drives. Where they score a touchdown, the opposition responds and the Bengals offense goes into a three-and-out funk. There's several reasons, of which you can't fully blame Bob Bratkowski (though he deserves a large share of the blame). Ryan Fitzpatrick has been awfully disappointing, while some people keep talking up his improvements, he's still ineffective with an arm so weak that defenses are comfortable stacking the line of scrimmage neutralizing the rush offense. His reaction and release are very slow, allowing defenses to recover when our receivers have space, and his legs often prevents his eyes from looking downfield. Furthermore, the offense is so terrible that when they miss their opportunities (looking at you, Glenn Holt), they can't recover the impossible task of coming from behind.

Having quarters like the second and third against the Steelers Thursday night is exactly what kills the Bengals every week. Failure to convert third downs by not gaining yards on first and second are largely notable, considering that longer to-go situations on third down detail every problem facing this offense; ineffective quarterback, ineffective offensive line, ineffective play-calling. Injuries have hurt us, and it's very clear that the depth on this team, complicates the team's performance. Starters for every team get hurt and miss time. When the starters go down for the Bengals, the backups that come in are largely ineffective, accumulating to an embarrassing product that we continuously put on the field this season.

As expectations go, the Bengals both fulfilled and exceeded them, providing relative questions with typical answers; such as, "we're going to lose" and "how badly would we lose?" Losses are are an eventuality with the Cincinnati Bengals, ranging from 21-point leads obliterated by 42 points allowed in the second half, or simply ineffective offenses (actually severely incompetent and inept) that spend time on the bench deep in states of meditation, contemplation, mindlessly wondering how their next three-and-out will look.

Some called last night tough, a slow death, scrappy early, confusing. After the Bengals scored their touchdown in the first quarter on an 11-play, 62-yard drive that had this blogger cluelessly wondering if we'd pull it off saying things like "we came to play", the Bengals went:

There's things I don't understand, though my comprehension of basic football stuff is often challenged by coaches. Why did the Bengals rush Chris Perry on third down (or at all)? Why did the Bengals kick a Field Goal late in the fourth quarter, down by 13 points with seven minutes left in the game? "In hindsight after they take the ball and drive it down the field," Lewis said during his post-game opening comments to avoid the question, "it doesn't look very good taking the field goal there but I thought we had an opportunity kicking the ball off to have a play we had with that and get them stopped and get the ball back to the offense again and kind of hold their position there. But obviously when they drive and score it doesn't work out that way."

Right. As shown in the drive chart above, even if the Bengals had multiple possessions, guided by our tiring defense late in the game, there was absolutely no reason to believe the Bengals would drive on the Steelers two more times, like the 11-play 37-yard drive that scored a field goal. The team left four points on the field easing the scoring differential at the end of the game.

We're not tough, might as well punt on third-and-short. Blaming the game on a bad decision to kick a field goal that made all of us conclude that Lewis was giving up, reducing the deficit for better box score numbers, is short-sided. Third downs murdered this team, which is partly blamed on Ryan Fitzpatrick staring down his receiver, Glenn Holt dropping easy critical third down receptions and play calling that forced Chris Perry to convert on a dive, against guys like Casey Hampton with ineffective centers like Eric Ghiaciuc.

With 8:18 left in the second quarter on third-and-one at the Cincinnati 48-yard line, Chris Perry took the handoff and ran off Bobbie Williams. James Farrior and LaMarr Woodley stuffed Perry at the line of scrimmage forcing the Bengals to punt. On the two plays before, Cedric Benson rushed for nine yards behind Andrew Collins and Nate Livings; including a 7-yard pickup on second down. So after successive runs that gained more than the required yardage on third down by rushing Benson to the left, why do you rush Perry to the right?

Then again, Benson's number was called with 14:26 left in the fourth quarter on third-and-one, and was stuffed behind the line of scrimmage. Bengals punt. It's painfully obvious to opposing teams when the Bengals are stuck with third and short, their tendencies. Twice the Bengals needed only one yard on third down, and twice they were forced to punt afterwards. On the other hand, the Steelers had a third-and-one with 7:31 left in the second quarter, rushed up the middle and picked up six yards. Night and day depending on wins and losses, characterizes how far apart these teams perform.

It was the third downs that killed this team, converting an embarrassing 26% (4/15) that forced the defense to play nearly 11 more minutes than the offense.

Game: Cincinnati Bengals (1-8-1) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3)
Series Leader: Steelers, 46-30
Streak: Steelers won the past four.
Coaches vs. Opponent: Lewis: 3-9. Tomlin: 3-0
Broadcast: NFLN (8:00 PM ET): Bob Papa, Cris Collinsworth. Westwood One Radio: Ian Eagle, Boomer Esiason, Hub Arkush (Field reporter). SIRIUS: 124 (WW1), 126 (Cin.), 127 (Pit.). XM: 124 (WW1), 102 (Cin.), 103 (Pit.).
SB Nation: Behind the Steel Curtain
NFL.com: Game Center
Weather: Temperature 33, light winds and light snow showers [Weather.com]
Uniform: White
Television Coverage: NFL Network or inside the cities the game is played.
Site: We plan on being here.

In case you didn't know, Chad Johnson won't play tonight.

Moving on.

NFL Films (via NFL.com) reminds us that the Steelers 38-10 win over the Bengals, wasn't the beating that the score indicated; remembering seven points on a necessary 16-yard touchdown pass with two minutes left in the game for a 28-point lead (dude, Barbaro is dead... all right). They write after watching the coaches tape, that "it's clear that Thursday night's score won't be as gruesome as you might think."

In truth, the Bengals defense was spotty early in the season, got really bad against the Texans, but generally improved against the Jaguars and Eagles during their undefeated in November string, allowing less than four years per rush, and less than six yards per pass. Though not really impressive, it's not just the yards they're referencing; NFL Films documents two plays of a 17-10 Steelers lead heading into the fourth quarter that changed the complexion of the game.

After Lawrence Timmons sacked Ryan Fitzpatrick, forcing the Bengals to punt, Ben Roethlisberger completed a 50-yard touchdown pass that "broke the game open". They write:

1. Nickel cornerback Geoffrey Pope, the rookie that Washington ran by, is no longer on Cincinnati's active roster.
2. The Bengals did not blitz on the play and Roethlisberger had a clean pocket.
3. With plenty of time to throw, the Steelers were able to get multiple receivers deep, putting free safety Chinedum Ndukwe in a conflict.

They make an additional point, after watching the Eagles tape.

1. The Bengals are blitzing more and blitzing better.
2. Their nickel corner is no longer rookie Geoffrey Pope but rather veteran Jamar Fletcher.

I believe, for a chance to win, the Bengals will need to stop Willie Parker and create turnovers to give the offense good field position. We're not going to drive 10 plays, 80 yards on the Steelers defense; I'm as much a homer as anyone, but I'm also realistic. However, if we create turnovers, specifically on their side of the field, the Bengals can cash those gifts as field goals, if not touchdowns. OK, field goals.

NFL Films isn't taking other things into account, like injuries, rookies and three days rest after a gruesome 75-minute football game that ended in an Eagles-wrecking tie. So take it as it is. Will the Bengals play like they have nothing to lose, or will the sudden Chad Johnson distraction take center stage? Yes. If you looking for positives, well, that's a start.

UPDATING SLEEPY CHAD: It would seem that Schefter's version of getting into with someone in the organization and leaving a team meeting was slightly off. When someone gets into it, we don't think it's management applying team rules; we're thinking that civility is abandoned and total Mad Max anarchy explodes. The dude overslept and missed a team meeting. Brad Johansen writes:

Chad Johnson will be deactivated from the game tonight for being late to an 8:30 p.m. meeting last night after arriving from Pittsburgh. Chad told the coaches that he overslept and begged Marvin Lewis to play this evening but was told that he has to be abide by the same rules that everybody else on the team has to abide by and that when rules are broken there are consequences. Chad said no matter how hard he tried to convince the coach to play he understands the ruling. Johnson was dealing with a swollen right knee that he injured Tuesday in practice and was having difficulty running on Wednesday but was still planning to play Thursday night.

UPDATE II: Oil Slick Speaks! (for those of you new to the site, Oil Slick is in reference to Chad Johnson's agent, Drew Rosenhaus -- or as The Walrus calls him, RosenSATAN

“Certainly I’ve spoken with Chad and one thing I’m not going to do is get into the team’s policies. They’ve decided not to reveal what the team infraction is and I respect that. And on Chad’s behalf, we’re not going to release that information. The bottom line here, where I came on at ESPN’s request, is simply that Chad is sorry that he will not be playing. There is not a meltdown in Cincinnati. He met with Coach Lewis as have I. I also spoke with Troy Blackburn of the Cincinnati Bengals organization. Chad is going to be rooting for the team tonight. He’s disappointed that he’s not playing. There is no controversy. He will be back. He will finish the season strong. He’s going to do everything he can to help the Bengals win the next five games that he will be able to play in.”

Of course, one has to wonder why Chad overslept an 8:30 p.m. meeting and why his roommates or best buddy T.J. didn't account for him beforehand; not that Chad needs a babysitter, but typically friends look out for each other. Is this a cover? And for those of you media-types that keep referencing Chad as Ocho _____ (fill in the blanks), that stopped being funny, like five months ago.

ORIGINAL: We're really not sure what could prompt the team to bench Johnson for Thursday's game, effectively a one-game suspension. It's further odd that Hobson described the team announcement as "terse". Sorry if I don't care for it, but the Bengals said they won't comment until after the game, which historically means they'll blow it off, downgrade whatever incident took place.

But it was an incident.

Adam Schefter writes, "Got a call early this morning that Bengals wide receiver Chad Johnson got into it last night with someone in the Cincinnati organization and left a team function. Details were sparse and fluid and after reaching out to the Bengals, they released this statement:"

"Into it" could mean several things, ranging from arguments to full headlock maneuvers with the wide receivers coach. Either way, if the "into it" was physical, we may never see Chad Johnson in a Bengals uniform ever again. If it's just an argument, well, cooler heads could prevail. From the language used to announce this, and report it, I would vote for the former.

With Antonio Chatman ending his season on Injured Reserve, and Chris Henry playing so terribly since his Mike Brown early Christmas resurrection, what's left of the Bengals passing game beyond Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh? Glenn Holt and Andre Caldwell (who just recovered from his own injury); Jerome Simpson is still hurt, and unlikely to play Thursday. On the practice squad ranks are Mario Urrutia and Maurice Purify.

Three's a company? It's a freaking party. With Levi Jones and Andrew Whitworth declared "out", the Bengals will turn to Anthony Collins at left tackle and Scott Kooistra at left guard. Kooistra is out also. Seriously? Thursday night, the Bengals will have two guys starting on the left side of the offensive line that's never started. Inexperienced be damned, says Nate Livings, expected to start at left guard. "I've been playing this game all my life. It's what I do. Ever since I was nine, 10 years old. To me, it's no different than that," said Livings before Wednesday's practice. "I think that's where people go wrong. They put too much (emphasis on inexperience). Yes, it's the NFL. But it's my job. I come to work every day and that's how I look at it."

What's the tally on injury? Chris Crocker looks to get a start after Chinedum Ndukwe was declared out, one of nine players out. Three offensive linemen, three players on their way to IR (if you include Carson Palmer), and two defensive ends, Eric Henderson and Antwan Odom. Starting cornerback Johnathan Joseph also missed practices this week and is listed as questionable.

STATUS

TUESDAY: Not including Antonio Chatman and Carson Palmer, declared out already, the Bengals had eight players sit out practice for various elements on Tuesday; three linemen and two starting defensive backs, more notable. Levi Jones and Andrew Whitworth figure to be out, meaning Anthony Collins will make his first start alongside Scott Kooistra, if his presence on the injury report with a "knee" is only for rest.

Practices

DNP - Did Not Practice
LP - Limited Participation in Practice
FP - Full Participation in Practice

Game: Cincinnati Bengals (1-8-1) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3)
Series Leader: Steelers, 46-30
Streak: Steelers won the past four.
Coaches vs. Opponent: Lewis: 3-9. Tomlin: 3-0
Broadcast: NFLN (8:00 PM ET): Bob Papa, Cris Collinsworth. Westwood One Radio: Ian Eagle, Boomer Esiason, Hub Arkush (Field reporter). SIRIUS: 124 (WW1), 126 (Cin.), 127 (Pit.). XM: 124 (WW1), 102 (Cin.), 103 (Pit.).
SB Nation: Behind the Steel Curtain
NFL.com: Game Center
Weather: Temperature 33, light winds and light snow showers [Weather.com]
Uniform: White
Television Coverage: NFL Network or inside the cities the game is played.
Site: We plan on being here.

Bengals

• Team has won five of the past seven games against AFC teams in November.
• Ryan Fitzpatrick has recorded a 60% completion rate in each of his six starts.
• In Fitzpatrick's last two starts, he's thrown for three touchdowns and only one interception (88.9 passer rating). Has 103 yards rushing in his past three games.
• When he rushes twenty times or more in a game, Cedric Benson averages 76.6 yards rushing.
• With six receptions, T.J. Houshmandzadeh will have at least six receptions in nine straight games. Since 2007, Houshmandzadeh leads the NFL with 185 receptions.
• Chad Johnson has three touchdown receptions in his past four games.
• With a reception, Chad Johnson will have at least one reception in 103 straight games.
• The Bengals are 22-6-1 (any guesses on when the "one" happened?) when the defense picks off two pass or more.
• Dhani Jones leads the team with 96 tackles.
• Glenn Holt is still first in the AFC with 933 kickoff return yards.

Steelers

• With a win, the Steelers will have beaten the Bengals in five straight games -- first time since September 19, 1993.
• In 2008, the Steelers are 6-1 against AFC clubs.
• Ben Roethlisberger is 25-8 when playing at home with 6,998 yards passing, 47 touchdowns and 33 interceptions (90.7 passer rating). Including the playoffs, the Steelers are 29-2 when Roethlisberger has a passer rating of 100 or better.
• Willie Parker looks to have 100 yards rushing at home for the third straight game.
• As a starter against the Bengals, Parker averages 113.7 yards rushing.
• Hines Ward, averaging 118 yards receiving in his past two games, looks to have a 100-hundred receiving performance for the first time since 2002. He has five touchdowns in the past three games against the Bengals.
• Santonio Holmes is averaging 100 yards receiving in his past three games against the Bengals.
• Steelers lead the AFC with 36 sacks.
• LaMarr Woodley has 8.5 sacks in his past seven games and James Harrison has nine in his past seven and ranks 2nd in the NFL with 12.

Team Rankings

Carson Palmer (just FYI since he's not playing)

Ryan Fitzpatrick

Cedric Benson

Kenny Watson

Chris Perry

Chad Johnson

T.J. Houshmandzadeh