Game: Cincinnati Bengals (6-9) at Miami Dolphins (1-14)
Series Leader: Miami, 12-4
Streak: Dolphins, nine of the past 10. Bengals won last meeting.
Coaches vs. Opponent: Lewis: 1-0. Cameron: 0-0
Broadcast: CBS (1:00 PM ET): Gus Johnson, Steve Tasker. SIRIUS: 143 (Cin.), 110 (Mia.).
SB Nation: The Phinsider
NFL.com: Game Center
Weather: Mostly Sunny with a high of 79 [Weather.com]
Uniform: White
Inactive/Out: RB De De Dorsey (ankle), C Eric Ghiaciuc (foot), RB Rudi Johnson (hamstring), S Madieu Williams (thigh)

PERSONNEL UPDATE: Andrews to start, Willie to play. Safety rookies start again.
Chinedum Ndukwe will get his second NFL start today against the Dolphins because starting strong safety Dexter Jackson is inactive because of a calf injury. Fellow rookie Marvin White will start at free safety because Madieu Williams was placed on injured reserve this past week with a thigh injury. Stacy Andrews will make his 11th start at right tackle, but Willie Anderson is expected to play in a rotation. Other Bengals inactive players: tailback Rudi Johnson (hamstring), lineabacker Anthony Schlegel, guard Nate Livings, tight end Nate Lawrie and defensive tackle Michael Myers. [Enquirer]

BENGALS

OUT: RB De De Dorsey (ankle), C Eric Ghiaciuc (foot), RB Rudi Johnson (hamstring), S Madieu Williams (thigh)
DOUBTFUL: S Dexter Jackson (calf)
QUESTIONABLE: T Willie Anderson (hamstring)
PROBABLE: WR Glenn Holt (back), WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh (ankle), LB Dhani Jones (shoulder)

DOLPHINS

OUT: DT Keith Traylor (ankle)
QUESTIONABLE: CB Travis Daniels (ankle), DE Jason Taylor (foot)
PROBABLE: DT Vonnie Holliday (knee), S Jereme Perry (ankle), LB Joey Porter (shoulder), T L.J. Shelton (ankle)

Starters: (not official)

(D, Doubtful... Q, Questionable)

Game: Cleveland Browns (9-5) at Cincinnati Bengals (5-9)
Series Leader: Series tied at 34.
Streak: Bengals, six of the past nine.
Coaches vs. Opponent: Lewis: 6-3. Crennel: 1-4.
Broadcast: CBS (1:00 PM ET): Greg Gumbel, Dan Dierdorf.  SIRIUS: 140 (Cle.), 119 (Cin.). Direct TV: 708. Direct TV HD: 721
SB Nation: Dawgs by Nature
NFL.com: Game Center
Weather: Few snow showers (30%). High 37. [Weather.com]
Uniform: Black
Inactive/Out: RB Rudi Johnson (hamstring)

It was said: Chris Mortensen said, on ESPN's Sunday Countdown while talking about coaches on the hot seat: "The Bengals' Marvin Lewis is under contract until 2010. But league and team sources say that Lewis wants a serious change in the front office and personnel departments. That could force a showdown with owner/President Mike Brown. He is safe for now."

PERSONNEL UPDATE: Madieu Williams and Dexter Jackson OUT! Marvin White and Chinedum Ndukwe will start.
The Bengals will play without their starting safeties, strong safety Dexter Jackson and free safety Madieu Williams, both of whom are inactive because of injuries. Rookies Marvin White and Chinedum Ndukwe will start. Tailback Rudi Johnson is out, as well, with a hamstring injury. Kenny Watson will start. Right tackle Willie Anderson is active for the first time since October but will not start. Backup linebacker Anthony Schlegel is inactive, along with offensive lineman Dan Santucci, tight end Nate Lawrie and defensive end Frostee Rucker.
[Curnutte's Blog]

Anderson active, but not starting
With winds expected to swirl in gusts of more than 40 miles per hour Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium, the Bengals saddled up for a smashmouth game against playoff hopeful Cleveland with four-time Pro Bowl right tackle Willie Anderson but without their two starting safeties. Anderson, who has missed the last eight games with a knee injury, wasn't listed as the starter.
[Bengals.com]

Bengals.

OUT: RB Rudi Johnson (hamstring)
DOUBTFUL: S Madieu Williams (quadricep)
QUESTIONABLE: T Willie Anderson (knee), S Dexter Jackson (calf)
PROBABLE: G Stacy Andrews (knee), WR Chris Henry (ankle), CB Deltha O'Neal (illness), DT Domata Peko (ankle)

Browns.

PROBABLE: CB Leigh Bodden (back), LB Antwan Peek (ankle), DE Orpheus Roye (knee), DE Robaire Smith (back), DE Shaun Smith (back)

Starters: (not official)

(D, Doubtful... Q, Questionable)

Game: Cincinnati Bengals (5-8) @ San Francisco 49ers (3-10)
Series Leader: 49ers lead, 7-3
Streak: Bengals, last two.
Coaches vs. Opponent: Lewis: 1-0. Nolan: 0-0.
Broadcast: NFL Network (5:00 PM PT): Bryant Gumbel, Deion Sanders, Marshall Faulk. SIRIUS: 126
(Cin.), 123 (SF). If you live in Cincinnati, the game will be on WLWT (Channel Five).
SB Nation: Niners Nation
NFL.com: Game Center
Weather: Mostly Sunny with a high of 58 and a low of 45 [Weather.com]
Uniform: White
Today: I'll be out this evening.
Inactive/Out: T Willie Anderson (knee)

Other Status Reports
Bengals. Probable: Rashad Jeanty
49ers. Out : QB Trent Dilfer (concussion), CB Shawntae Spencer (quad), CB Marcus Hudson (knee).

The 49ers have two cornerbacks out. How does that hurt their team, I asked David.

Starters: (not official)

(D, Doubtful... Q, Questionable)

Game: St. Louis Rams (3-9) at Cincinnati Bengals (4-8)
Series Leader: Series tied at 5-5
Streak: Rams, past three
Coaches vs. Opponent: Lewis: 0-1. Linehan: 0-0
Broadcast: FOX (1:00 PM ET): Pat Summerall, Brian Baldinger. SIRIUS: 114 (St.L.), 107 (Cin.). DirectTV: 705
SB Nation: Turf Show Times
NFL.com: Game Center
Weather: Showers (30%) with a high of 49 [Weather.com] (note: I live about 20 minutes North of Cincinnati and it's pouring)
Uniform: Black
Rams at Bengals Primer
Today: I won't be blogging today. But will be around.
Inactive/Out: T Willie Anderson (knee), QB Marc Bulger (concussion), CB Eric Bassey (knee) and Rob Petitti (concussion)

Bengals win 19-10.

Notes:

• Dexter Jackson was a man. He blitzed and dropped Steven Jackson several times for lost yards. He also picked off a pass and forced a fumble.
• Carson Palmer failed to throw a touchdown in back-to-back games. It's the first time he's done that since games #2 and #3 to start Palmer's career.
• Rudi Johnson, in two of the past three games, has performances of 88 and 92 yards rushing.
• Speaking of which, Rudi beat Steven Jackson by one yard rushing.
• More on Bengals defense. Take out the 54-yard run and Steven Jackson rushes 17 times for 37 yards.
• More on the Bengals defense II. In two of the past three games, the Bengals defense didn't allow a touchdown (Tennessee, St. Louis). They've kept the opposing offense from scoring double-digits in three of the past five games (Rams, Titans, Ravens).
• More on Bengals defense III. The Bengals have a streak going on right now. Since giving up 176 total rushing yards to the Bills, the Bengals defense haven't allowed the opposing team (not just the runner) to gain 100 yards on the ground in four of the past five games. Since Buffalo: Baltimore (66 yards rushing), Arizona (50 yards rushing), Tennessee (61 yards rushing), Pittsburgh (101 yards rushing), Rams (88 yards rushing).
• More on the Bengals defense IV: The Bengals forced the following results on drives: Punt, punt, punt, missed FG, fumble, punt, punt, punt, FG, interception.
• Kenny Watson touched the ball nine times for 58 total yards.
• DeDe Dorsey rushed four times for 81 yards.
• The Bengals offense had balance. They passed 29 times against 33 rush attempts. Add three if you want for Palmer kneel downs.
• More on balance. The Bengals rushed for 193 yards while Palmer passed for 189 yards.
• T.J. Houshmandzadeh's eight receptions gives him 96 for the season. Still on pace for 118.
• Palmer's distribution. Of Palmer's 21 completes, T.J. Houshmandzadeh (8) and Kenny Watson (6) combined for 14. Chad picked up 60 yards on two receptions while Chris Henry, Antonio Chatman, Jeremi Johnson, Reggie Kelly and Rudi Johnson had one each.
• Isaac Bruce: Shutout.
• Third downs. The Rams had 13 third-down plays. They only converted three (23%). The Bengals converted 50% of their third downs -- 7/14.
• Bengals dominated time of possession: 32:28-26:32.

Other Status Reports
Bengals. Questionable: S Madieu Williams (thigh)
Steelers. Doubtful: QB Gus Frerotte (shoulder). Questionable: WR Brandon Williams (ankle)

PERSONNEL UPDATE: Madieu Out, Chinedum Ndukwe STARTS! Rams start Brock Berlin at QB.
Two guys got their first NFL start Sunday and the Bengals hoped it work to their advantage when they gave rookie safety Chinedum Ndukwe the nod on a day the Rams opted to rest Marc Bulger and start Brock Berlin. The changes were announced as a dark downpour cascaded on Paul Brown Stadium, a weather pattern matching the bleak records of the 4-8 Bengals and 3-9 Rams. The FieldTurf, covered by a tarp until the officials ordered it off at 10 a.m., looked good with no puddles. [Bengals.com]

Bengals starting free safety Madieu Williams is inactive, and rookie Chinedum Ndukwe will get his first NFL start. Other Bengals inactives: wide receiver Marcus Maxwell, cornerback David Jones, linebacker Jim Maxwell, right tackle Willie Anderson, tight end Nate Lawrie and defensive end Frostee Rucker. [Enquirer]

Starters: (not official)

(D, Doubtful... Q, Questionable)

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)

GAME: Tennessee Titans (6-4) AT Cincinnati Bengals (3-7)
WHEN: Sunday, November 25, 2007 at 1:00pm
LOCATION: Cincinnati
BROADCAST: CBS (1:00 PM ET): Bill Macatee, Steve Beuerlein. SIRIUS: 144 (Cin.).
SB Nation: Music City Miracles

NFL.com Game Center

Storyline: Bengals come out with hard hats and shovels like 2003-2005.

Today: I'll be out today.

Personnel Update: Herana-Daze Jones OUT. Hall starts over O'Neal -- 3rd straight week.
Bengals special teams will be without leading tackler Herana-Daze Jones, who is inactive for the game today with Tennessee because of a knee injury. Other Bengals inactives are cornerback David Jones, center Dan Santucci, right tackle Willie Anderson, tight end Nate Lawrie, defensive end Frostee Rucker and linebacker Roy Manning. Jeff Rowe is the third quarterback. [Curnutte's blog]
The Bengals special teams, one their few strong suits in November, took a hit early Sunday when leading tackle Herana-Daze Jones was put on the inactive list. Jones, a safety whose 17 tackles double his closest pursuers, has been battling a knee problem for the past month. Also, rookie Leon Hall got his third start at cornerback. [Bengals.com]

UPDATE II: Albert Haynesworth, OUT. [NFL.com]

Inactive/Out: T Willie Anderson (knee)

Uniform: Orange.

Weather: Cloudy with a few showers. High around 50F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%. [Weather.com]

Who's watching? As per this NFL distribution map

Starters: (not official)

(D, Doubtful... Q, Questionable)

GAME: Cincinnati Bengals (3-6) vs. Arizona Cardinals (4-5)
WHEN: Sunday, November 18, 2007 at 1:00pm
LOCATION: Cincinnati
BROADCAST: FOX (1:00 PM ET): Sam Rosen, Tim Ryan. SIRIUS: 123 (Arz.), 129 (Cin.). Direct TV: 705 -- no HD.
SB NATION: Revenge of the Birds

NFL.com Game Center

Manually refresh this page to get the latest updates. I've been reconsidering doing the gamedays due to lack of traffic. But if there's generally good interest, then I have no problem continuing. Email me (joshkirkendall [at] gmail.com).

Bengals 27, Cardinals 35. Game Over.
Palmer throws 4 ints, three to Rolle.

Palmer was picked off four times -- three by Rolle -- while throwing the ball 52 times against only 18 rush attempts -- Watson 9 carries, 45 yards for a 5.0 yard-per-carry average. The Bengals defense showed up in the second half giving the Bengals offense plenty of chances to overcome a one-possession deficit. Take away the points off Palmer's turnovers and Cincinnati's fortunes are likely reversed.

Part of me thinks this team should rethink their offensive roster and better allocate to the defense to give the team a little more balance. Because this offense, with nearly every player during the tremendous 2005 season (except Perry and Willie hurt and Steinbach gone) is ineffective. And the salaries these guys make on offense are producing no results -- well, in today's game, the case is made that the Bengals offense LOST the team the game.

This week. We'll probably examine the offensive troubles -- which includes two dropped passes by Henry, a lack of inspiration by our quarterback, disastrous effort at blocking and struggling to rush the football. This team has serious issues right now and if this pace continues, there's no way anyone on this team should, with any conscience, accept a paycheck until they feel right about it.

We'll also praise the defense a little more this week. They've had little reason to be praised this season, but let's give credit when it's due. The defense is playing behind the eight-ball each week with lack of talent and injuries across the board. Of all the units on this team, the defense and special teams stepped up. The offense? Well, it won't be pretty.

Continue reading this post »

GAME: Cincinnati Bengals (2-6) vs. Baltimore Ravens (4-4)
WHEN: Sunday, November 11, 2007 at 4:05pm
LOCATION: Baltimore
BROADCAST: CBS (4:05 PM ET): Dick Enberg, Randy Cross. Sirius: 119 (Cin.), 130 (Bal.). DirectTV: 712. DirectTV HD: 722
SB NATION: Baltimore Beatdown

NFL.com Game Center

Manually refresh this page to get the latest updates.

Bengals 21, Ravens 7. Final
Bengals WIN

The Bengals offense struggled all day in the redzone scoring no points. Enter Shayne Graham. The Bengals place kicker set a franchise record kicking seven field goals on a day that the Bengals defense forced five turnovers shutting out the Ravens for the first 58 minutes of the game.

Chris Henry's return was big, yet expected, with 99 yards receiving on four receptions -- including a 50-yarder that set up the team's second field goal. Rudi Johnson struggled recording only 46 yards on the ground on 22 carries -- the longest going 15 yards. Many will complain, no doubt. I do like the fact that the Bengals ran the ball 32 times against 34 passes. The balance was there. And I do like that Bob Bratkowski kept calling runs -- not panicking to the pass -- even though rushing the ball was ineffective all game. That enabled the Bengals to dominate the time of clock 35:42-24:18.

In the second half, the Bengals, on the first five drives, ended with field goals. They had four drives that went 10 yards or more including five drives that lasted more than five minutes. That doesn't seem like a lot for typical NFL teams. For the Bengals, that's an eternity of clock control. The Ravens had a stretch of five drives with four ending in either interception or fumble -- mostly self-inflicted. The Bengals defense allowed only 272 yards to the Ravens -- 85 yards on the two Boller drives at the end of the game. Yardage that's also called garbage time.

But if you had to call for your key players of the game:

Offense: Chris Henry
Special Teams: Shayne Graham
Defense: Steve McNair

I will give Palmer a break because we won and the Ravens defense has always been good. But in seven redzone tries, Palmer's effectiveness suddenly becomes nonexistent.

All-in-all, this was a good game rivaling, what I think, the Bengals best all-around game of the year. Oddly enough, rivaling the first meeting between the two teams. The Bengals own the Ravens right now having won the last three meetings, six of the past seven meetings and three of the last four games in Baltimore. The Bengals have swept the season-series against the Ravens in two of the past three seasons (2007, 2005).

Continue reading this post »

GAME: Cincinnati Bengals (2-5) vs. Buffalo Bills (3-4)
WHEN: Sunday, November 4, 2007 at 1 p.m.
LOCATION: Buffalo
BROADCAST: Ian Eagle, Solomon Wilcots. SIRIUS: 119 (Cin.), 146 (Buf.). DirectTV: 709. No DirectTV HD.
SB NATION: Buffalo Rumblings

NFL.com Game Center

Manually refresh this page to get the latest updates.

Bengals 21, Bills 33. Final.

Continue reading this post »

GAME: Cincinnati Bengals (2-4) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (4-2)
WHEN: Sunday, October 28, 2007 at 1 p.m.
LOCATION: Cincinnati
BROADCAST: CBS (1:00 PM ET): Dick Enberg, Randy Cross. SIRIUS: 122 (Pit.), 126 (Cin.).
SB NATION:Behind the Steel Curtain

NFL.com Game Center

Manually refresh this page to get the latest updates.

PERSONNEL UPDATES: Rudi Johnson is out again along with Frostee "I never play" Rucker. You can see the starting lineup below.
[Curnutte Blog]
[Bengals.com]

Inactive/Out: T Willie Anderson (knee), LB Ahmad Brooks (groin), LB Caleb Miller (back)

Uniform: All Black Uniform

Weather: Sunny. High 58F. Winds, 5-10 mph from the NNE [Weather.com]

Who's watching? As per this NFL distribution map.

Not In: I'll be out today.

Starters:

(D, Doubtful... Q, Questionable)