2007 REGULAR SEASON

Week 1: W 27-20 vs BAL
Week 2: L 45-51 @ Cle
Week 3: L 21-24 @ Sea
Week 4: L 13-34 vs NE
Week 5: BYE
Week 6: L 20-27 @ KC
Week 7: W 38-31 vs. NYJ
Week 8: L 13-24 vs. PITT
Week 9: L 21-33 @ Buffalo
Week 10: W 21-7 @ Bal
Week 11: L 27-35 vs. ARI
Week 12: W 35-6 vs. TENN
Week 13: L 10-24 @ Pitt (SNF)
Week 14: W 19-10 vs. STL
Week 15: L 13-20 @ SF (Sat. night)
Week 16: W 19-14 vs. CLE
Week 17: W 35-23 @ Miami

Analysis

FINAL 2007 STANDINGS

2006

The Bengals head into the offseason with a certain level of momentum. It proves that this team can perform when they want to. The domination against Tennessee proved that. I understand that the win was against a team that finished 1-15. The Bengals offense did, mostly, what they wanted. The defense made some good plays. There was positives from Sunday even though the defense looked finished early giving the Dolphins their final eight points in the 38-25 win, rather easily.

What's that mean?

The Bengals will head into the offseason either planning to completely rebuild or filter out what Marvin Lewis perceives as detrimental to the team's success. Selfishness, mostly.

Will the team try to re-sign Justin Smith? Will Madieu Williams ask for more money the Bengals deem too much -- or will he take a hometown discount? Will Deltha O'Neal and Dexter Jackson be gone? Will Rudi Johnson be the odd-man out in an overloaded running back competition? Can the team re-sign Landon Johnson? Or land a free agent? Will the team re-sign Stacy Andrews? Or will they move Andrew Whitworth back to tackle and draft a guard? Will that mean that Willie Anderson is the odd-man out? Will the Bengals try to unload highly talented receivers for draft picks if there's truth to the reports that they are a "distraction" or trying to run the team?

There's also the issue that Marvin Lewis says nothing "earth-shattering" will happen, though he follows that up with comments like "blow this whole thing up" or "start from scratch".

There's a lot to go through. A lot of potential moves.

I really believe that this offseason will be the most emotional from fans since Lewis took over. If they make a ton of changes, then we'll get fired up and pumped that the team is avoiding status quo. If they don't make moves, then we'll be upset, and bored, reminding ourselves that Lewis pumped us with hot air.

I appreciated the season here. You guys were rock solid. And I hope that we'll find new friends and new people to make this even better. I hope I provided a point of view that was thoughtful and better game day access for those outside the viewing area -- especially guys like Vols far away in the military.

Bring me everything. Your thoughts for the off-season. Write up a diary and if they're good, I'll promote it as the main story. But we'll be chugging into the off-season and I can't wait for your guys' opinion on the offseason and an include of hope that makes this team a playoff team in 2008.

They were who we thought they were. No, not the San Francisco 49ers. David gave us a description of the 49ers projecting a score (34-13) implying the Bengals offense would, I don't know, score. Either he hustled us into a lull, or he's still waking up on the West Coast surprised his team played as complete a game they could. Or understanding our point that the Bengals offense isn't only over-rated, but it's the most disappointing aspect of this team. Like it matters. It's the Bengals that played like the junior varsity club starting from Carson Palmer all the way to John Busing.

The Bengals were who we thought they were. I know I'm ripping off coach Green, but it fits. The Bengals are a notoriously disappointing team with sideline expressions that most people thought, "they're done". We knew that the defense would pop their mile high balloon and slowly descend back to Mt. Helen's unstable steam bursting surface. We knew that if the Bengals gave up 100 yards rushing on the ground, they'd lose. Frank Gore rushed for 138 yards and now the Bengals are 0-7 when the feature back hits the century mark. I know, I'm a gullible sucker. We knew Dexter Jackson is dreadful in pass coverage. We knew that Landon Johnson was a tackling machine -- 5-10 yards down the field. We knew that Johnathan Joseph, while injured early, is proving me wrong. We knew that Corey Mays has no business being on the field. We knew that the Bengals defense would allow the 49ers offense to convert 60% of their third downs (9/15). We knew this. That if the Bengals defense couldn't force a turnover, the Bengals would have no chance.

We knew that the defense's inability to get off the field would limit the Bengals offense to only seven possessions -- not including the knee to end the first half. We knew that the Bengals offense would completely suck on those seven possessions. We knew that Marvin Lewis would lose a challenge before it was thrown -- though, I supported the challenge (why below)

Am I disappointed? Honestly. No. In the back of my mind, just behind the portion of the brain where I claim the Bengals have serviceable talent to win games, I knew the Bengals would fold, whine on the sidelines and completely fail to appear as a team -- much less act or play like a team. It's not just this game. It's been a long time that this thought has been seared into my mind.

I'm starting to think that the Bengals really aren't that talented. Individually? Sure. They're a bunch of paper champions where you can go through each player and find their respective talents. As a team, they're disgusting. They couldn't even tie their velcro shoes to get out on the field.

Why I supported the challenge.

The Bengals were losing, 20-13, with over two minutes left in the game. The 49ers, on non-punting drives, had the ball for over five minutes in four of six possessions. The other two non-punting possessions ended in a touchdown and the final drive to end the game. Knee, knee, knee. Even if the Bengals held that first time out that went to the lost challenge, there was no reason, NONE, to believe that the Bengals defense would force the 49ers to go three-and-out. Then you watched Frank Gore pick up 10 yards on third-and-nine. Good job.

If the play is reviewed, and reversed, then Chad Johnson's touchdown changes the game's complexion. It's not like the 49ers wouldn't drive down the field in two minutes and score the game winning field goal. What? You think they would? Yea. Me too.

Watching the replay, in my heart, I knew it was incomplete. But I've seen calls all year, in college and the NFL, go opposite of what I expected. This was a challenge attempted through divinity. A prayer. What have you got to lose? A timeout? A timeout to stop the clock to make the final ticks of the game agonizing longer? No, the Bengals defense wouldn't show up. That would go against knowing what we knew of them. This was the last chance the Bengals had. A challenge. A prayer that the referee would see something to give us one bounce, just one bounce, during this "god-please-end" season.

It wasn't to be. It hasn't been all season. Not that I expected the Bengals to get the call. Not that I expected the defense to shut down the 49ers offense. The Bengals are who we thought they were.

A quick observation -- difference between Manning and Palmer.

Want to know the difference between Peyton Manning and Carson Palmer? Not that it really matters -- but an observation I made Saturday night . Down by a touchdown, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chad Johnson sat under the comfort of 20-pound jackets while Carson Palmer was no where to be seen. Manning -- if losing a close game -- is typically seen looking through the pictures of the previous plays, figuring out how to get it done -- while explaining what he's seeing with his receivers. Palmer? I didn't see him on the sidelines at all while Houshmandzadeh and Johnson sat alone jawing about Nolan's fourth down decision.

This is just another example of my season-long point. No one on this team is rising above everyone else. Especially not Palmer, the guy with "Captain" on his shoulder who's unarguably, the best player on this team.

But he has reasoning for the poor play. Palmer said after the game, "It is the same thing every week. We aren't executing on offense and you don't have 11 guys doing each of their jobs. If you have miscues and breakdowns on offense you are not going to be successful."

Manning corrects those mistakes during the game. We have no one on this team, player or coach, that make in-game adjustments. To take what's happened and adjust. I don't blame just Marvin Lewis. I blame everyone involved. There's no one on this team that helps this team win. But everyone is great at excusing why they're not winning. Bungles? Sure sounds like it to me.

You're shocked?

"Yeah, I was shocked - I really thought we were going to win the game and I was going to talk trash to the players I know on (the 49ers)," T.J. Houshmandzadeh said. "I was shocked. They had a chance to go up 10, make it a two-possession game. I actually was shocked.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh says after each loss, "This was a game we definitely should have won." Yet, once again, you and your teammates assure that winning a game you should have won doesn't, in reality, happen. You're 14 games into the season. At what point do you just realize that would've, could've, should've doesn't really matter. Nor does it even apply. Perhaps, we're just not that good. It's about that time to admit some truths. But hey, at least you have a chance to go to the Pro Bowl. Just don't be shocked if you don't go. Wait, he already said he would be. Nevermind.

Monster Park = Buried

Chick Ludwig had the best opening line.

Paul Daugherty said:

A tangent item that I can't stand. Anyone that promotes on the World Wide Web as a follower or commentator of the Cincinatti Bengals. If you can't spell the city's name right, then get out of here. And I find no benefit with blogs that just report what happened like continuous AP reports with zero commentary or opinion like some rival sites. Hey, look, I'm fit to be tied today. You understand.

Do I really need to say anything?

About Bryant Gumbel. Seriously. Do I need to say anything? Do I need to mention that the San Francisco 49ers running back, Al Gore, had a good night? Do I need to mention that the entire booth would spend 15 minutes in complete shock why a team choose a play while the game was already moving on?

The only thing more embarrassing Saturday Night than the Bengals, was Bryant Gumbel. It was to the point that I had hoped he wouldn't speak anymore because I felt bad. I felt bad like some young kid singing the national anthem in front of a national audience and noticeably screwing it up. Thank god, I don't have the NFL Network.

Not much else to say.

I'm not going through the loss. I'm not going to watch the game again like I used to do earlier in the season. I think we all know that this team is horrible. I think we all know why they're horrible -- talent, attitude and preparation. Going through a game promoting the great play of some (Domata Peko) while demoting the play of others (everyone else), doesn't do anything for anyone. And I would rather leave the game in purgatory rather than analyze it. Why? Would you even read it? Would you ask me to watch that again?

Would you really find the benefits of examination when the team doesn't? They just tell you that everyone isn't doing their jobs, or that we "have to get better" or "shocked" when losing to an inferior team? Hell, the 49ers weren't just inferior. They kicked royal Bengals ass. So why in the world should we care to examine our short-comings when the Bengals thrive on them. They excuse them. They play the same card each week. What's the point?

I'm fit to be tied. Why? Because it's the same thing. They take you, rise you up a little when they play well, then play like they did Saturday night -- the truth behind the twist. I'm sucker enough to think that trends are being established that will carry over. I guess inconsistency is a trend. Right? I guess suckage is a trend. I guess over-rating yourselves is a trend. I guess playing the role of paper champions is a trend. I guess being individual without any regard for the team's success is a trend. What do I know? I'm the idiot that cheers them on and then writes about it all season when I could be doing something else. Like reading a romance novel. At least something good happens to the characters involved.

Hell, come to think of it, we are a team of trends.

So, what did you do Sunday night? While it was pouring down rain in Pittsburgh, Cincinnati was dealing with its own monsoon. It meant a slow night at the bars. I had expected a good turnout at the local bar, but typically bad weather impedes people from their plans. Not to mention, the Bengals have played disastrously all season making me think everyone has given up on them. I still held the playoffs are possible argument. It could happen. We still needed Tennessee to lose -- they didn't -- and the Browns did lose. So with.......

Dude, they're not going to the playoffs.

Yea, I know. It was the one argument I held that would, of all things, feel a bit more comforting cheering this team. The big picture still hung tall on the wall. Don't get me wrong, I will cheer them on until the season's conclusion -- you'll see that here. I've never stalled in my resolve. Though, like so many years before this one, we have to start generating artificial reasons for taking our "rest" day Sunday that typically becomes our most emotional day of the week -- with the exception of a wife-induced argument.

Yet, for no apparent reason other than pride, I'm watching the Dolphins and praying to the football gods that they enter week 17 with at least one win. You cringe at the possibility knowing our history of being the "other guy" in posters and ESPN highlights. I know you do. I haven't stopped cringing for three weeks now.

So with a team that's proudly sporting a 4-8 record, where do we go? As fans, I suspect the stadium will see less fans. I suspect less discussions in Cincinnati that include the Bengals.

The draft? Considering that we now know that Tennessee was an aberration -- rather than momentum -- does it seem likely that the Bengals will win themselves out of a top-ten pick? Does Lewis give you confidence in drafting a tremendous defensive player? Or an offensive player that will motivate the boring talent-rich unit that tremendously disappoints us nearly every week? Hell, I don't know. And personally, right now, I don't care. I'm still recovering from the exhaustion of watching this team flail around without a clue of what's going on during the game (see Chad Johnson). Additionally, the exhaustion of always projecting the Bengals off-season, during another horrible season with a full month of games left, is pointless... and exhausting. And reminiscent.

The quarterback play is pressing. The running backs are ineffective. The receivers are either tired of getting hit, or just pretend to be contenders. The defense, of all things, actually played well Sunday night. Still, our one hope that all units show up was used up -- punched and discarded -- against Tennessee. So the hope that the entire team shows up for one game has been exercised. The team, constantly playing like they're unprepared, lacking any sense of adjustments with a head coach that plays dumb every time a question is pressed into his fragile environment, is close to making big decisions for next season. Then again, are they? If preparations is truly lacking with this team, I doubt they'll look to build quality in 2008 until their well into training camp. Admit it, you wouldn't be surprised.

Do the coaches stay? Does the team trade Chad Johnson? Does the team sign Landon Johnson, Justin Smith, Madieu Williams and/or Dhani Jones? What is the course of this team? Will they keep trying to plug holes in an already flawed team that doesn't seem to have any idea which path to take towards success? Or do they wipe clean the table and start over? At this point, do you really care? Is this the point that you take your annual vacation from the Bengals -- the time needed to refresh available emotions? Or do you keep hope that this team can show shades of quality heading into the off-season?

This is a horrifically disappointing season. Sunday's loss ensures the team will not have a winning record -- I think six people in America believed it possible anyway. Realistically, this team could be a 5-6 win team.

And here I am, begging, BEGGING, that the Dolphins win one game before week 17 to avoid another item in the 252-page book detailing moments of other team's biggest accomplishments against the Bengals. Something is desperately wrong with that. Sadly, it's not inherently wrong. It's inherently expected.

So, the bar was nearly empty as we sat on uncomfortable, barely padded, bar stools. The type that makes you shift your weight every five minutes. But it still wasn't as uncomfortable as the entire nation watched a Bengals team that demands their "bungles" title. Several wore Bengals jerseys among a small crowd that didn't include a Steelers fan in the house. I drank ice cold drafts of Budweiser. I sat with friends equally disappointed as we shifted discussion about a fire at the apartment complex I live in. We even talked about video games. Talking about the Bengals was something that we purposefully avoided the rest of the night. It was too depressing with revived and familiar memories invading our serene minds that haven't surfaced for over five years now.

So if you continue to read on, you're a solider. I commend you. I tried to come up with topics that would interest everyone -- a difficult project. A reminder of last night isn't exactly how you'd want to spend your Monday. But as a Bengals fan, it's inherently accepted. Please, Miami, please. Win one.

Quickly: I wanted to point this out now, since the rest of this post is mainly negative, that I thought our general quarterback protection, was fantastic. There were few hits on the quarterback, but generally, Palmer had his time to make his reads. And generally, they were good reads. His accuracy was just awful.

The Bengals first offensive possession. With the Steelers defense playing a deeper zone on the game's initial snap, T.J. Houshmandzadeh found plenty of room underneath on his eight-yard reception. Good start. On Rudi Johnson's first carry of the game, the dictation of our rush offense with Rudi in the backfield, was foreshadowed early. Whether it's a bull-rush or delayed reaction against the swim, spin or a variety of stunts, the Bengals center Eric Ghiaciuc was pretty average. Furthermore, I've been less and less impressed with Andrew Whitworth at guard. The drive's biggest note was the offense's ability to convert on 3rd-and-3 (ten-yard reception by T.J.), 3rd-and-11 (18-yard reception by Chris Henry) and 3rd-and-2 (11-yard reception by Antonio Chatman). The Bengals converted five of the next 15 third down conversions.

With eight minutes to go in the first quarter, the Bengals lined up second-and-goal at the Pittsburgh one-yard line. Scott Kooistra came in at right tackle. Stacy Andrews moved to left tight end next to Levi Jones with Reggie Kelly on Andrews' outside hip. Eric Ghiaciuc sunk his body under Pittsburgh defenders closing any cut-back lanes that Steelers defenders could penetrate. Andrew Whitworth and all his body mass glory, dictated his defender burying him into the ground. Once Whitworth sealed the inside gap with Levi and Andrews taking their guys outside -- James Harrison felt the effects of Andrews' body-mass-glory -- the point of attack emerged. Jeremi Johnson went to the right forcing Larry Foote to take a false first step. Bobbie Williams assured the touchdown pulling from right guard into the left "B" gap -- between Whitworth and Jones. Williams' blocked turned Farrior inside giving Rudi a lane for the score.

The Bengals best drive of the night went 12 plays for 71 yards.

So I'm pumped. Ready to go. Fired up. Little did I know that this was the highlight of the Bengals offense.

Where's your mind? Chad Johnson, on fourth-and-17, caught the football for a 13-yard gain and trickled out of bounds. Standing in the middle of the field, Chad was SHOCKED that he just caught a fourth down pass and made no effort to pick up the first down. Chad, it's things like this that stirs the anger of pissed off Bengals fans directly at you.

Johnathan Joseph has been hammered by fans and the press this year. Who can blame them? He's been scorched as much as the legendary Tory James -- who had been given the nickname, "toast". Like many, I suspect that he's still not 100%. He isn't breaking on the pass quickly. He plays softer coverage than I remember last season. He was the biggest reason why the Pittsburgh offense converted seven of 14 third downs.

On Pittsburgh's first drive, the Steelers offense lined up trips to the right on 3rd-and-9 at the Pittsburgh 26-yard line. Ward motioned in-ward hiding himself as the slot receiver behind Cedric Wilson and Nate Washington. Ward's lazy break off the line of scrimmage must have lulled Joseph to sleep. About ten yards up, Ward broke out several feet after Big Ben released the pass with Joseph a few steps behind. The completed pass went for 19 yards and the first down. Third-and-two with 1:58 left in the half at the Cincinnati 33-yard line, Ward ran a simple out route -- timing pattern. Joseph was covering on the six-yard completion. First down. Third-and-two, with 5:37 left in the third quarter, Cedric Wilson ran a simple skinny post with Joseph covering. The Steelers picked up 14 yards. First down. Third-and-nine, with 2:11 left in the third quarter, the Steelers lined up at the Cincinnati 18-yard line. Ward ran up and slightly ran in. Joseph was covering with about a 10-yard cushion on the 10-yard completion.

"I think that we were going to run our offense, and I can't sit here and explain to you right now, because I don't know what you're referring to."
- Marvin Lewis on staying with the ineffective pass.

Note to Marvin. Pay considerable attention on the second-half play selection.

Here's more for you, Marvin. On the first drive, our superstar quarterback completed six of seven passes for 57 yards. Palmer completed 12 of the game's next 37 pass attempts for 126 yards passing -- including a 9/28, 100-yard performance in the second half. When I've talked about Palmer not rising to the occasion, this is yet another piece of that evidence. You say: The conditions. The supporting cast. The play calling. The fact is when you have to make excuses for why a guy isn't rising to the occasion, then he's clearly not rising to the occasion. Excuse or not.

You can see the Bengals ineffective passing with Aaron Smith's admission to an adjusted defense. "We just started dropping more into coverage, and not rushing anything."

Another note to Marvin. You should really start working on your challenges. You challenge plays that you shouldn't and you don't challenge plays that you should. Such as the Ben Roethlisberger touchdown run. Such as the Chris Henry touchdown towards he end of the game. These are challenges that involve scores. Not fumbles that could go either way. I understand it's easy to sit back and criticize whereas Lewis is tied to the pace of the game. But, still. Damn.

Note: Marvin Lewis has won seven of 28 challenges.

Carson Palmer's ineffectiveness. Let's put the first drive aside.

The second drive. After Palmer connected with Chad Johnson for an 18-yard gain on the second possession of the game, the Bengals offense went three and out. Third-and-two at the Pittsburgh 47-yard line: Palmer, in shotgun with Reggie Kelly flanking to his right. Kenny Watson, flanked to Palmer's left, run to the first down marker and turned around. The high pass never had a chance. Punt.

The third drive. The situation is third-and-three at the Pittsburgh 46-yard line. Palmer drops back, searches and unleashes a pass to Chad Johnson on the right. The high pass never had a chance. Punt. That's two straight drives in which the Bengals had short yardage on third down, close to mid-field, only to see Kyle Larson after Palmer floated a high pass to his receiver.

The fourth drive. After Rudi Johnson picked up eight yards on two rushes, Stacy Andrews was called for a false start. This was when we saw Chad Johnson and Chris Henry on the sidelines on third-and-two with Scott Kooistra and Alex Stepanovich coming in. The false start created a third-and-seven situation at the Pittsburgh 25-yard line with Henry and Chad trotting back into the huddle. Palmer, in shotgun with four receivers -- two on each side -- looked over the middle and then to the right. Chad Johnson, his obvious target, found a hole in the zone near the right sidelines with #24-Taylor underneath and #23-Carter playing the safety spot in the two-man zone. It was there. Palmer's high pass never had a chance. Missed field goal.

With 4:37 left in the second quarter, Palmer completed an eight-yard pass to Reggie Kelly on third-and-seven. Why is this significant (other than converting on third down)? Because this was the first first down by the offense since Johnson's 18-yard yard reception with 6:45 left in the first quarter -- the Bengals second possession. Then James Farrior sacked Palmer forcing him to fumble -- Palmer recovered. On second down, Houshmandzadeh found a case of alligator arms that could have picked up a first down. Likely, he would have been whacked. Then Palmer, on third-and-18, threw way out in front of Chad Johnson's out route. Bengals punt.

First drive, second half. After kneeling down because Townsend was believed to be off-sides, and after Kenny Watson was stuffed for a three-yard loss, the Bengals lined up with third-and-14 at the Pittsburgh 46-yard line. Palmer throws the ball into the mud near a falling down T.J. Houshmandzadeh. Bengals punt.

Second drive, second half. After recovering a Willie Parker fumble, the Bengals offense runs Rudi up the middle for no-gain. Typical. On second down, Palmer went deep to T.J. Houshmandzadeh about two yards short of the goal-line. Overthrown. After a 15-yard completion to Chris Henry for first down, Palmer went incomplete, quick six-yard pass to T.J. then incomplete on third down while he was falling down. The offense stalled at the Steelers six-yard line. Shayne Graham's 24-yard field goal brought the Bengals back to within seven points. Of course, that only matters when you don't give up a touchdown to the Steelers on their next possession.

With 13:39 left in the fourth. The Bengals had third-and-six at the Pittsburgh 34-yard line. Palmer, with pressure, threw a mile over a wide open Chris Henry running towards sidelines on the right. Then the Bengals go for it on fourth. After holding onto the ball for several reads, he finally threw a mile high pass over T.J. Houshmandzadeh's head. Funny thing. T.J. stopped a good yard or two short of the first down marker. Even if the pass was completed, unlikely he gets the first. That's the best they can do with six yards to go on fourth down? Sad. Just pathetically sad.

With 11:43 in the fourth. The Bengals have third-and-eight at the Cincinnati 49-yard line after recovering a Willie Parker fumble. Palmer drops back and throws a skipping-rock-over-the-lake pass over the middle. Bengals punt.

After calling their first time out in the first quarter, the Steelers ran play-action. The Bengals edge rushers reached the outside forcing Big Ben to step up and throw. The high, and slightly behind, pass was tipped off Hines Wards' fingers giving Madieu Williams his second interception of the season. I just find myself giggling when teams call a timeout to discuss whatever they discuss and turn the ball over anyway. Usually it's that insane giggle knowing the disaster of our home town team at times.

I have my reasons why I don't think Justin Smith will on this team next year -- and based on the unknown negotiations, I'm not sure if she should be. But on Sunday Night, everyone got to see what Smith does best. When he gets one hand on you and grabs the jersey, you're going down. You might pick up three yards, but he's not letting go. This applies to 240-pound quarterbacks, too.

You know this isn't the Bengals season when...

...Willie Parker, with 14:50 left in the third quarter, fumbles the football and Johnathan Joseph returns it for a touchdown. Bengals cut deficit to three points. It was overturned by a Pittsburgh challenge. Ten-point deficit remains.

...Carson Palmer thinks #26-Townsend is off-sides and Eric Ghiaciuc snaps the ball and Palmer kneels. No off-sides penalty. On the next play, Kenny Watson lost three yards setting up a third-and-14 on a drive that started out promising to start the second half.

...with 13:30 left in the fourth quarter, Parker takes the handoff and runs left. Leon Hall quickly jumped on Parker's back and worked out the football. Hall recovers the fumble. The referees called Parker down. Marvin Lewis challenged -- and lost... typical. In the weird portion of the universe called the "fate" cluster, Parker fumbled anyway on the next play. Pittsburgh challenged it and lost. Ha! Bengals ball... for another three-and-out. Sigh.

...with ten minutes left in the game and Pittsburgh lined up with a third-and-ten at their own six-yard line. The Bengals called blitz. Robert Geathers sacked Big Ben in the end-zone for a safety. Flag. Leon Hall, defensive holding. Let me say this. This was probably one of the worst calls of the game. While Hall's hand is clearly on Hines Ward, he didn't impede the route, at all. This was so ticky-tact, that it made you think: "These are the type of plays that are just not going the Bengals way this year." It removed two points off the board and a possession. Ben would go on to complete a beautiful pass to Johnathan Joseph in which... (segue)

...with six minutes left in the game, down by two touchdowns, the Bengals line up with third-and-goal at the Pittsburgh three-yard line. Palmer floated a pass towards the back right pylon. Henry hauled down the pass, but out-of-bounds, per the official. This is the situation when you beg Lewis to challenge it. I don't know if it would have been overturned or not -- it was one of those plays that really could have gone either way. At least take the chance. Challenge the scores. Instead, on fourth down, Palmer throws a pass to T.J. in the endzone for an incomplete pass. Way to step up, fellas. All of you.

...with four minutes left in the game, the Steelers punt. Dexter Jackson jumped off-sides before the snap. The five-yard penalty gave the Steelers a first down and more kill-the-clock time.

The moment momentum changed. The Steelers first three drives went interception, three-and-out and three-and-out. Then Shayne Graham missed a field goal and the Steelers scored a touchdown. Glenn Holt fumbled the ensuing kickoff at the Cincinnati 20-yard line. Jeff Reed kicked a field goal. The Bengals never saw the lead again.

2.4 - Rudi Johnson's average yardage-per-rush.
+3 - Bengals turnover advantage -- still lost by 14.
4 - Rudi Johnson's longest rush of the night.
39% - Palmer's completion rate.

Telling stat. The top three tacklers for the Bengals Sunday night were Johnathan Joseph, Leon Hall and Dexter Jackson. You're top-three tacklers should never be in the secondary.

Boomer Esiason said after Chad Johnson's touchdown that cost the Bengals 15 yards with an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty during half-time: "...completely unwarranted" and it "makes Marvin Lewis and everything look bad in Cincinnati."

Note to Boomer. Please, pull out notes from this city's reaction last week. Or most of the year for that matter. The entire Bengals fanbase is so down on the Bengals, including the ridiculously embarrassing team that's told widespread among the national media (you), that any pulse from this team is welcome. This doesn't look bad. The team showed a bit of life that we've desperately needed all season long. I'll give up the 15 yards and three points if it means this team shows life again. In the post-game, James Brown and Boomer even used the word "professionalism". The funny thing is that they harped and harped on it AFTER the Bengals won. A very odd reaction considering the known circumstances this team has dealt with all season.

How about talking about the Bengals defense shutting out the style of quarterback that's always given the Bengals fits? How about the Bengals defense that allowed only 61 yards rushing? How about Carson Palmer attempting 38 passes and completing 84% of them? How about the Bengals rush offense rejoining the ranks of the effective? How about the good special teams coverage?

It's almost like the Cincinnati-pride that Boomer illuminates betrayed his sense of complete Bengals criticism. You must complain about something. That's the typical Cincinnati reaction with the Bengals no matter what they do.

Boomer even went on to say, that this will be all that's going to be talked about this week. I guess he figured he'd get a good start using nearly two full minutes explaining why other networks will be showing the celebration. But in Cincinnati, we're celebrating. Dan Marino, of all people, was the voice of reason. It didn't hurt them and Cincinnati's offense was as flawless as flawless gets. Even so, Boomer attacked Chad's celebration without mentioning a single positive with the win.

I love Boomer. I really do. But, shut up. I actually found myself laughing at Boomer while he was gripping -- dare I say, whining -- about Chad's celebration. It was these antics that gave life to the Bengals in the first place back in 2003 that you, yourself, loved. Bill Cowher agreed with Boomer's assessment saying to Chad, "You just don't get it, kid." Not that it matters what they "assess" on CBS during this rosy glass filled Sunny day. And it speaks measures when Marvin Lewis smiled and congratulated Chad coming off the field. It was like the weight of Cincinnati floated off their shoulders. At least for this week.

All I have to say is: Welcome back Chad. But it begs the question if either Boomer or Cowher "get it". Well, no one has really "gotten" it when it comes to Cincinnati and the Bengals. We're in our own world and this invasion of privacy telling us how the world conforms is a bit annoying.

531: Speaking of Chad Johnson. With 6:36 left in the second quarter, Chad Johnson caught his 531st pass of his career to become the all-time franchise receptions leader. Congrats Chad. I'm honored to actually say that I've seen every single one of those receptions. But that's just reference of time passing with knees cracking louder than Boomer's whining about Chad's celebration. God, I can't get over that for some reason.

Speaking of Chad II: The situation was first-and-10 at the Cincinnati 47-yard line. Palmer dropped back and completed a 21-yard pass to Chad Johnson with 2:37 left in the third quarter. But here's the best part. Titans' DB #22-Fuller had a beat on the comeback route finding himself in prime position to pick the pass. Instead Chad says, "that's mine." He comes back towards the football and snags the potential Fuller interception for a 21-yard gain giving Chad 11 receptions and 100 yards receiving. First down. It's the effort that had me beating my chest on what would become a routine first down pass Sunday. Yet, Boomer... forget it.

Speaking of Chad III: Boomer and Cowher, take note. While the unsportsmanlike conduct penalty hurt the team with 15 yards putting the Titans' in decent field position for their final field goal -- and final points of the day -- the Bengals receiver caught 12 passes for 103 yards and three touchdowns. Boomer and Cowher, I'll take that tradeoff anytime.

Note: On Chad's second touchdown, he bumped the chest of his offensive linemen. Does he get it now, Bill?

Jeanty/D.Jones: I really don't have examples for you on this one. But it just felt like Dhani Jones and Rashad Jeanty were everywhere.

The Offensive Line. Willie Anderson called them out this week. The line responded Sunday. Carson Palmer's jersey was relatively clean after being sacked once -- even so, the sack was the result of good coverage. Palmer took a three step drop and found all his reads covered. He drifted right and started to sprint upfield when #93-Bosch worked off Levi Jones recording the sack. In reality, the sack happened only after all options were exhausted by Palmer.

But pass protection wasn't the problem that Willie Anderson was speaking on. It was the rush offense. Rudi Johnson, Kenny Watson and DeDe Dorsey combined for 34 rush attempts for 147 yards rushing (4.3 average).

The Balance: In all, the Bengals offense ran 75 total plays -- 36 rushes, 38 passes. I'm not sure where that one play went in the mysterious underworld of NFL.com's Game Day.

First downs -- does this tell the story?

10 - First downs recorded by the Titans offense (2 rushing, 8 passing)
30 - First downs recorded by the Bengals offense (9 rushing, 19 passing, 2 penalty).

Time of Possession -- or does this tell the story?

38:30 - Bengals
21:30 - Titans

Third Downs -- or does this tell the story?

The Bengals converted 14 of 18 (77%) third downs.
The Titans converted two of 10 (20%) third downs.

We're driving. For a long, long time. One thing that's hurt the Bengals defense more times than not, is how quickly the offense gets off the field. Three-and-out is largely problematic -- for anyone. But so were drives that went 6-7 plays, but only consumed a minute off the clock giving the defense very minimal breathing time. This offense finished drives and took tons of time and plays to do it. We like that. Check out the drive charts and note the time of possession per drive.

Alternatively, look at the results of each Titans' possession: Punt, Interception, Fumble, Field Goal, Field Goal, Punt, Downs, Downs, Punt, End of Game.

Let's point towards Rudi Johnson. He looked good. The blocks were there and his reads were spot-on. While there's plenty of two-three yard gains that some will claim isn't good enough, Rudi did what he's always done best. Pound the ball. With 25 carries, Rudi picked up 88 yards and his first rushing touchdown of the season. It's good to have Rudi again.

My favorite Rudi Johnson play of the game: The situation was third-and-three at the Tennessee 36-yard line. The Bengals have limited success on 2-3 yards to go third down plays. Rudi took the handoff up the middle and powered his way for a 10-yard gain. The Titans had no chance. Boomer still grips about Chad.

The All-Around Kenny Watson. Kenny Watson touched the ball nine times for 49 yards -- including five receptions for 32 yards. Might not seem like much. But it's exactly what he does best. On Sunday, Watson was a great hot-read for Palmer in the flats. His change-of-pace rushing picked up his fifth rushing touchdown of the season. Thanks to the offensive line.

DeDe Dorsey: Four rushes for 41 yards including a 21-yard gain on a pitch to the right breaking at least three tackles. #53-Bulluck was called for a personal foul facemask (honestly, I didn't see it) giving the Bengals 36 yards on one play. Dorsey also recorded a tackle on special teams (kickoff).

Another. You know, when I saw the play, I didn't expect a fair catch interference penalty. After Chatman called for a fair catch, #57-Scanlon wrapped his arms around Chatman and padded him on the back. The refs called interference. It's cool that we got the call -- we never get calls like that -- but I would understand a Titans fan's frustration.

Did He Just Say That? Coming back from commercial, after Marvin Lewis called a timeout to ice the Titans kicker right before the half, we hear Steve Beuerlein say "USC thugs". He could have said something else, but I'm pretty sure he said thugs. Beuerlein obviously holds no love for the Trojans playing quarterback for Notre Dame. Just because the internet is great, here's "The Sack".

I'm not sure if LenDale White came back after his "thug" like reaction right before half-time kicking Marvin White after White hit White out of bounds. Got it? Ha!

You Know Things Are Going Well... when Marvin Lewis wins a challenge. The play in question was a three-yard Chris Brown touchdown with 8:31 left in the game. Brown took the handoff up the middle when his knee hit the ground at the half-yard mark. Then...

You Know Things Are Going Well... when the Bengals defense stuffs Chris Brown on 3rd-and-goal at the half-yard mark.

You Know Things Are Going Well... when the Bengals defense forces an incomplete on 4th-and-goal at the half-yard mark.

You Know Things Are Going Well... when the Titans get to the Red-Zone five times and do not score a touchdown. Sticking to the same theme, the Bengals offense scored five touchdowns in six red-zone appearances. Shayne Graham missed a 26-yard field goal breaking a streak of 21-straight made.

It was scary for a moment. After Graham missed the short field goal, Vince Young connected with #12-Gage for a 73-yard completion on the very next play. Touchdown? I suppose it could have been if Gage didn't tip-toe out of bounds at the Cincinnati seven-yard line. After Brown picked up four yards, Dhani Jones comes off the edge on a pass rush, unblocked, knocking the football out of Young's hands. Rashad Jeanty picked up the fumble. No points. The play happened because the Bengals secondary closed Young's initial reads on a quick three-step drop.

Palmer's near perfect day. Even the interception wasn't truly his fault. The pass was a bit high intended for Chris Henry on third-and-seven with 10:43 left in the second quarter. Henry tipped the pass and #37-Lowry came away with the football. It's the same thing in professional football with most tipped passes. There's usually always a defender sitting back specifically for the tipped pass.

For the day, Palmer completed 32 of 38 passes for 283 yards and three scores giving him a 113 passer rating. I think we can finally put to rest the Palmer talk we've had the past few weeks. He's proven, with the quality of a supporting cast, that he can lead and win football games for the Bengals.

Palmer completed 10 of his first 11 passes for 83 yards. On the first four touchdown drives, Palmer completed 19 of 20 passes for 177 yards and two scores.

Hiya Kyle. We didn't see or hear of Kyle Larson until there was 6:10 left in the game. Larson, inside his own end-zone, netted a 58-yard punt after a hold was called on the Titans. It was a 48-yard punt and 10-yard penalty.

Ol' Reggie: Great game by our tight end. The evil unknowns of quality blocking isn't something that jumps out at you -- his blocks were as crisp as always. He tied a season-high three receptions for 35 yards including a season-high 26 yard reception down the middle of the field. Kelly and Daniel Coats combined for four receptions for 41 yards.

Examining the receivers: The Bengals Big-Three (Chad Johnson, T.J. Houshmandzadeh and Chris Henry) combined for 22 of Palmer's 32 completions for 210 yards receiving.

The Rest: Reggie Kelly, Kenny Watson, Daniel Coats and DeDe Dorsey combined for 10 receptions and 73 yards receiving. It's the "rest" that's unusual. The Bengals offense rarely goes outside the three receivers. The fact they did, I'm sure, has a big bearing on the Bengals efficient as hell offense.

166: With 6:44 left in the third quarter, the Titans offense recorded 166 total yards. Why note this? Because the Bengals were up 28-6 and this starts what's called "garbage time". The period in the game that the defense looks to defend big plays rather than all plays.

The JJ Pick: Early in the game, Vince Young lined the Titans up third-and-six. #80-Scaife lined up slot to the left. At the snap, the tight end sprinted up then out towards the left sidelines. The receiver flanked left simply ran a seam route. Johnathan Joseph played the route as if he were playing man when he jumped Scaife's out route -- it was a zone defense. Young never saw him. Joseph was in direct path of the ball appearing as if he were the intended receiver. A few tips, Joseph came away with the pick.

Charting Trends: With seven receptions for 66 yards receiving, Houshmandzadeh is on pace for 121 receptions for the season -- third best in NFL history.

Players of the Game - I'm giving this to our offensive line. The Bengals rushed the ball with big gaps giving our backs over four yards a pop. Palmer had time with the offensive line picking up the Titans blitzes all day.

Next -- Cincinnati heads to Pittsburgh for Sunday Night Football next week. I have to say, this game should give Cincinnati a lot of momentum after playing their best, all-around game of the season in every aspect and position of the game.

Peter King doesn't think highly of Chris Henry:
b. Why is Chris Henry on the Bengals? What more does this idiot have to do to get a one-way ticket out of town? The Bengals are enabling him.

I could go on a 20-page rant about this argument. I won't because the servers couldn't handle the awesome traffic from millions of people looking to dig into King like shooting a romp-rat on Tatooine. And for a guy that spends his days and nights talking football, it's shocking to me that his constant ramblings are allowed to mock the very thing he writes about. Then again, you sit back and think. Does he really know much and is he supposed to know much?

Think about it. What's his primary thing? He provides inside news from team's front offices and maybe a few bits of the Chancellor's thoughts on a certain issue. Does he really know football beyond the frightening obsession with the Patriots and Colts? He interviews well placed people, talks about himself more than Paris Hilton and throws softball questions half the velocity of Jennie Finch.

Here's another thing about King's latest MMQ. I understand that Josh Cribbs had an outstanding performance against the Steelers. King thought so much of Cribbs, that he made him the Special Teams Player of the Week -- FOR A LOSING TEAM. How can anyone be awarded anything if you lose the game. Shayne Graham, not only single-handedly (err, single-footedly) beat the Baltimore Ravens, but he had the second best performance by a place kicker this season in the league. And if it wasn't for Titans kicker, Rob Bironas, converting eight field goals in late October, then Graham would be tied with four other players in NFL history for most field goals in a game.

Perhaps the Bengals rub King the wrong way. Perhaps. In fact, he responded to a fan in 2005:

Nice dance. We're not talking about the city. We're talking about the team. And while I'm not going go point out every King article that spends more time complaining about the Bengals -- mostly because they are no longer the go-to joke -- most fans that monitor his work in the past few years know I'm right.

But back to that Henry mention. Here's the thing. The Bengals won't, nor shouldn't, cut Chris Henry. I have been as vocal about his conduct as anyone, but it makes more sense keeping him than cutting him. Why?

There's an argument I've been making on this blog since it's inception. It's that talent supercedes class. Teams must win now; ironically, dodging the dogging of national and local media. If you don't have talent, you don't win. Simple. The modern NFL, perhaps to some degree, the history, employs a talent first, class second mentality. They have to. They can't dig through the haystack for guys with incredible talent and better class. Most teams have to risk that troubled wide receiver, in the third round, with top-ten talent to build and maintain now. You have to win now and that means taking character risks. I've never slammed Lewis for that. Because if this team doesn't win, then we're bitching and complaining about losing and King muses incompetence while Hamilton County uses the Bengals as a political advantage during campaign season.

If you cut a player because of a history of off-the-field problems, you have to deal with dead money against the cap, worry about retribution from a players' union complaint -- though that's unlikely because we're seeing the Players' Union become more disconnected with current and veteran players -- and of course, this all depends on a player's visibility and productivity.

It's all screwed up if you ask me. It's the NFL's ultimate catch-22. So much money is tied into the sport that they need their superstars. They have to sell product.

But no, the Bengals are NOT enabling Henry. It's the NFL. It always has been. That's why Tank Johnson found a new address and that's why Henry will not be unemployed at this point in his career.

As Henry goes... Chris Henry has 28 career games under his belt. When he catches at least one pass, the Bengals are 15-8. Chris Henry fell one yard short of having his first back-to-back 100 yard-receiving games dating back to December 31, against the Steelers.

Red Zone Stat #1: Carson Palmer in the endzone: 4/10, 18 yards passing.

Red Zone Stat #2: The redzone found no exceptions in the balanced offense by the Bengals Sunday. Rudi Johnson and Kenny Watson combined for 10 rush attempts for 14 yards. Carson Palmer had 10 attempts on 11 passing plays called -- one was a fumble recovered by Whitworth.

Is this a Maddenism by Marvin Lewis?
"Shayne [Graham] had a good game."
- Lewis post-game press conference.

In the past few weeks, we've seen discussion about Marvin Lewis' game management decisions. But that's nothing compared to the revolt that's shaping in Baltimore. Rick Maese uses these strong words about Ravens' head coach, Brian Billick.

Rick concludes:

Mike Preston from the same paper says:

The Bengals might be 3-6, but they are 2-2 in the division.

The combination of the Bengals defense and Ravens offense led to a great day for Cincinnati. The Ravens offense recorded 10 drives with six ending in turnovers -- 2 picks, three fumbles and a turnover on downs. (Note: the fourth fumble was on kickoff return) But here's the noteworthy stat. Six Ravens' turnovers led to 18 of the Bengals 21 points.

1. Turnover on downs -- 3 points.
2. Interception -- End of Half
3. Fumble -- 3 points.
4. Fumble -- 3 points.
5. Muffed Kickoff -- 3 points.
6. Fumble -- 3 points.
7. Interception -- Punt.

Updating opposing feature back numbers
Willis McGahee's 60 yards rushing on 17 attempts was the best performance against the run by our tough and powerful defense. McGahee's 3.53 yards-per-rush ties a season best -- Thomas Jones also had 3.53 yards-per-carry. In nine games, the Bengals have allowed the feature back to rush for 100 yards or more six times. Of the three that missed the 100-yard mark, McGahee accounts for two of them.

For the season... McNair.
Steve McNair's season-series numbers against the Bengals defense: 37/60, 331 yards, 0 TDs, 2 INTs. He accounts for the Bengals two best performances this season.

Points off turnovers... or lack of.
This is the third straight game in which the Bengals did not allow any points after turning the ball over. In fact, this is the fourth straight game the Bengals turned the ball over only one time in a game. That is if you believe turnover on downs should count; apparently NFL.com does not count those -- note the phrase, turnover on downs.

The fourth quarter rules all...
The Bengals consumed 11:14 in the fourth quarter, 20:44 in the second half and 35:42 for the game. By far, the best of any quarter, half and game to this point in the season.

Twenty, twenty, twenty... not 32.
Rudi Johnson's 22 rush attempts Sunday is only the second game this season with 20 carries or more. Worse: Sunday's performance (46 yards) is the worst in Rudi's career in which he rushed 20 times or more. The shutout over Cleveland on 11/26/06 held that distinction -- 25 rushes, 64 yards, TD.

I think the biggest disappointment in Rudi are his rushing touchdowns. He has none. For comparison, look when Rudi scored his first touchdown of that season and how many he had through week 10.

One encouragement: Rudi Johnson can score touchdowns in bunches. Between week 11 (Indy) and week 15 (Detroit) in 2005, Rudi Johnson scored nine touchdowns -- four of that stretch of five games with two.
Another encouragement: it appears that he's nearly recovered from his early season injury with the pounding of 22 rushes. Then again, after that performance, is that encouraging at all?

Oh, Kenny, where art thou.
Between the Jets and Steelers, Kenny Watson rushed 50 times for 218 yards and three touchdowns (all against the Jets). Since then, 13 carries for 35 yards and no scores. I'm wondering if the concussion suffered against Pittsburgh is reasoning for his reduced participation and production.

Sticking with the rushing theme.
As a team, the Bengals rushed for 177 yards against the Jets. Since then against the Steelers, Bills and Ravens, the Bengals have 189 yards rushing combined.

T.J. Houshmandzadeh the past two weeks: ten receptions, 90 yards, TD. Think defenses are worrying about him lately?

First game without a touchdown.
Sunday was the first game this season Houshmandzadeh didn't score a touchdown. It was also the first game that Carson Palmer didn't pass for a touchdown since December 18, 2006 against the Colts. It was the first time the Bengals offense didn't score a touchdown since week 17 in 2005 -- if you count that considering that game was played with mostly backups. You have to go all the way back to September 26, 2004 (week #3) when the starters played the entire game and didn't score a touchdown. That was against the Ravens in a 23-9 loss -- Palmer threw 52 times.

Defense against the Ravens
I have to say, the Bengals defense simply dominated the Ravens this season. We can't say that about many teams, can we? The 272 total offensive yards, by the Ravens Sunday, is the best defensive performance by the Bengals this season. By a long shot. Of the 21 turnovers forced this season by the defense, 12 were against the Ravens.

Coming up.
The Bengals will host the Arizona Cardinals next Sunday at 1 p.m. Thank goodness. Because the Bengals have NEVER beaten the Cardinals on the road.

I have no other word to use describing the performance, effort and motivation to win other than awful. The performance of this offense and defense were awful. The effort, was awful. I wonder if "awful" should be used describing winning motivation -- or even desire. No, I won't use awful. The effort just isn't there. At least awful would describe some sort of effort. When there is no effort, there is no description. The Bengals talk like they want to win, and I'm sure they mean it.

But what's the one prevailing theme this season -- other than awful? It's talk. We here it. We read it. But the team that so many call talented, continue to talk like they think they deserve a thing. We hear and read that the Bengals offense is one of the best. It isn't. It's far from it.

When you're one of the best, you're dynamic. You offset whatever defensive adjustments are made. The rushing game is embarrassing -- mostly because the offensive coordinator abandons it so quickly. The passing game is bland, boring and, more times than not, ineffective. We can demand Chris Henry all we want. But if you take our money makers, Carson Palmer, Chad Johnson and Rudi Johnson, they are essentially contained by many defenses with few recognizable names. Johnson isn't beating his man on any other routes than high percentage comeback routes and deep in routes. Houshmandzadeh, the team's best offensive player this season, is perhaps the one player stepping up beating his man. But he's not taking games over, is he?

It's clear to me now that Kenny Watson is better than Rudi Johnson. The noticeable difference between the two is that Rudi doesn't explode through the hole anymore allowing, no inviting, tacklers to drop him on their first attempt. Watson at least squares his shoulders and bulls through the defense for some positive yards. Even though he's performed, in my mind, Watson is not a good feature back. We're just happy that he's one of the few players with results. You always overrate players when the supporting cast are dreadful performers.

The Bengals drop to 2-6. They are one of the worst football teams in the NFL. The offense has played pretty, but without substance. The blocking has been subpar, the coverage teams have played middle-school caliber and our coaches are out-matched, out-classed and ridiculously out-coached.

We're back to looking towards next season. We're back to earning our dreaded Bungles description. We're back to scouting draft picks we'll likely screw up. We're back. Then again, did we really go anywhere? Having only one winning season during the Marvin Lewis era doesn't mean we transitioned into anything. In fact, 2005, to me, seems more like an aberration rather than transitioning from Bungle-ism. We were promising paper champions that failed to comply to the argument that if you're talented, you'll win. We were. We don't. Even though Chris Henry is due to return next week, it doesn't matter. The Bengals are out of chances to hold the first half of the season prepping for a second-half run.

Mike Brown and Marvin Lewis can fluff the crap we've seen the past two seasons all they want. No one believes a word they say -- especially Lewis. Arguments that Brown ripped off fans to purchasing costly season tickets, will justifiably be made. People questioning Lewis' game management (if not, overall coaching) will, unquestionably, be debated. This team has no winners, just sideline winners and pretty boy fantasy players.

This team is crap. And awful. Anyway... let's move on.

Things start off the way they normally start off. After an incompletion -- more like skipping rocks over a lake -- on the first play of the game, J.P. Losman completed passes of 38 yards and 19 yards to Lee Evans. The first: Johnathan Joseph fell one step behind Evans who ran through the cornerback -- playing tight -- and streaked. Evans made an over-the-shoulder 38-yard reception. The 19-yard pass was a well-caught pass by Evans on the left sidelines dragging his second foot inbounds. Joseph covering. After three consecutive runs by Lynch for 10 rushing yards, Losman completed an 8-yard touchdown pass to Evans for the game's first score.

The Bengals responded -- Palmer trying to prove me wrong. I've been a bit rough on Carson Palmer over the past week. My reasons, I believe, are sound. Would he lead us to victory or would we have to excuse him because of the shoty performance by his supporting cast? Either way, he started like a champion. On the team's first play from the line of scrimmage, Palmer dropped back and unleashed a missile to Chad Johnson. The linebacker underneath was slow to cut of the in-route and the cornerback was one step slow on the break. I tell you what, Chad loves the in-route. After a Reggie Kelly illegal formation the Bengals setup first-and-fifteen at the Cincinnati 40-yard line.

Bengals lineup off-set I with Jeremi Johnson "off-set" to the right -- Reggie Kelly also on the right. Chad was flanked left with T.J. right. Snap. Andrew Whitworth, Bobbie Williams and Eric Ghiaciuc hit their guys and release. Palmer pump-faked to T.J. -- the strong side -- and flipped the ball left to Kenny Watson. Bobbie Williams came back to take out a pursuing #95-Williams. Eric Ghiaciuc and Andrew Whitworth took out three defenders down the left sidelines freeing up Watson's 43-yard screen.

After another minimal rush by Rudi Johnson, Bengals line up in standard I-formation with T.J. flanked left. Houshmandzadeh ran up then in from the 15-yard line running parallel -- a yard short -- to the line of scrimmage. Palmer, with #33-Greer leading T.J., knew if he led the receiver, the pass would be picked. Instead, he threw the pass behind the receiver into the endzone for the score. The Bengals answered the Bills opening drive touchdown with their own opening drive touchdown. Game on. Palmer leads.

Driving. The Bengals had two drives with 12 plays or more. They resulted in punt and interception. The Bengals had three second-half three-and-out possessions -- five possessions of four plays or less resulting in punt; four of which went three-and-out for the game.

When the Bills go three-and-out on their second possession, the Bengals offense went three-and-out on their second possession.

I'm confused if running by committee was exercised Sunday. Rudi Johnson and Kenny Watson combined for 13 total rush attempts for 22 rushing yards. The longest rush, not by Rudi or Kenny, was a scramble by Carson Palmer for seven yards. Since his 118 yards against Cleveland, Rudi Johnson has rushed 30 times for 28 rushing yards over the span of three games. Six of Rudi's nine rush attempts went no more than one yard -- three for negative yards.

While Watson's rushing numbers were nothing compared to what they should be -- for whatever reason Bob Bratkowski decided to leave Watson out of the rushing offense for entirely too long -- Watson, with seven receptions for 90 yards receiving, was again, a bright spot in the Bengals offense.

Note to offensive coordinator: When a player is the bright spot on rushing offense, then becomes the bright spot on passing offense, use him. Especially on the rush after we were feed all week with crap about our running the ball more.

For a short time, the Bengals defense appeared, competent. After forcing a three-and-out on the Bills second offensive possession, the Bengals integrated a bend but don't break attitude -- don't worry, they broke badly later. This could be renamed the Leon Hall drive. On first-and-10 at the Cincinnati 39-yard line, the Bills lined up for their fifth play of the drive. Losman, thus far, was 3/3 for 46 yards on the drive.

The call: a wide receiver screen to Parrish on the left. Leon Hall, giving a 3-4 yard cushion, saw Parrish break back and tracked him. No, he attacked him. Josh Reed, in motion from right to left, was one step slow getting to Hall for the block on the two-yard loss. On the next play, Losman looked right and stepped forward in the pocket. The pass, intended for Lee Evans, was short allowing Hall to stop, turn around and pick the pass. These two plays were flashes of what we expected of Hall. Perhaps he's not so bad for a first round rookie cornerback. However, the other first-round cornerback...

Do you wonder: If Johnathan Joseph has temporarily lost a step because of his foot injury earlier in the season? It's a reasonable explanation. He seems slow on nearly every receiver he's defending. A foot injury for a cornerback is a big deal. Hopefully he returns to '06 form in '08.

The situation, with twelve minutes left in the third quarter, was third-and-four at the Buffalo 49-yard line. Joseph lined up against Evans on the left. Evans ran up 10 yards then broke out. With his hips turned and body facing the quarterback at Evan's break to the outside, Joseph was in position to, not just break up the pass, but likely intercept it. However, once he got his hips turned, it was like his feet were glued to the ground. He couldn't break on the pass allowing Evans to catch and convert the first down.

I honestly believe that if Joseph were healthy, this pass is picked off and returned for a score.

J.P. Losman had 111 yards passing at the three minute mark in the first quarter.

What are you defending? The Bengals defense in a nutshell. The situation was third-and-ten at the Buffalo 44-yard line with 8:20 left in the first half. The Bengals call blitz and bring Nedu Ndukwe and Dhani Jones -- no effect. In fact, Losman had five to six seconds to look down-field, set his feet and pass. This was all day. The Bengals defense, with a great opportunity to get off the field, played a long third down about the worst possible way you could. Losman drops back from shotgun, with the blitz easily picked up, stepped up and found a wide-open Lee Evans for 30 yards.

This was either a busted coverage or players doing whatever they felt like. Evans was flanked wide left with #17-Jenkins in the slot. Johnathan Joseph, covering Evans, let the receiver go to defend the left sidelines about five yards past the first down marker. Leon Hall stayed with the slot receiver -- running a seam route. Landon Johnson was monitoring the first down marker. Anything in front of him would be stopped -- well, unlikely since today's theme will change into missing tackles.

With Hall chasing down #17-Jenkins, it made me wonder why Joseph let Evans go freely to defend an area that required no defenders. No Bills in the vicinity with no crossing patterns from the right. Joseph played zone whereas Hall played man coverage opening a mile-wide hole in the defense. By this time, Evans was a good five to six yards from any Bengals defender and picked up 10 yards after the catch.

That's the Bengals defense for you in a nutshell. Two more...

The next play, Losman dropped back and pump faked right. Robert Geathers leaped about nine miles towards heaven. Losman brought down the pass and scrambled for three yards. The play after that, Losman completed an 11-yard pass to #86-Gaines with eight seconds of unabated protection in the pocket. Watch every defensive line player and how ridiculously amateurish they look.

The Bengals defense allowed 479 total yards against the Bills. That's the third game this season the defense allowed 400 yards or more -- all losses. On the other hand, the Bengals recorded 299 total yards. That's the fourth game the Bengals were under 300 total yards (1-3).

Let's not miss this one. The Bengals committed three penalties on one play. On the 36-yard punt with ten minutes left in the game, Dexter Jackson ran out of bounds (flag #1), Corey Mays was ineligible down field (flag #2) and Blue Adams held (flag #3). Adams' penalty was the one accepted. Hello Bungles, it's been a few years

Bend but don't break? Today that was true in the first half. Between the 20s, the Bengals defense was awful. Boys among men. But once the Bills threatened, the Bengals defense stiffened -- but one has to wonder about the Bills play-calling.

The situation was first-and-goal at the Bengals one-yard line. The play was a misdirection to the left. Misdirections, pitches and sweeps on the goalline, to me, make little sense -- then I remember, I'm a blogger, not offensive coordinator. You're taking the longest road towards the goalline from the one-yard line. Run it up the gut. The Bengals defense has shown no reason to make you think you need to go outside. They're averaging about one missed tackle per rush.

Either way, Bryan Robinson broke through the line and dropped Lynch for a four-yard loss essentially breaking momentum. The Bills kicked a field goal after two ineffective plays.

Bengals play of the game. With 1:56 left in the first half, Glenn Holt took a #9-Lindell kickoff 100 yards for the touchdown. The wedge was so massive, that only one Bills player had any chance of touching -- not tackling -- Holt. He missed and Holt brought the Bengals life after the offense routinely failed to do so following their opening touchdown.

Last times: The last time the Bengals returned a kickoff for a touchdown was Brandon Bennett on November 10, 2002 against the Baltimore Ravens. Bennett took the kickoff 94 yards -- the Bengals lost that game, 27-38, falling to 1-8 at that point in the 2002 season. Eric Bieniemy holds the record for longest kickoff return in franchise history -- 102 yards against the New York Giants on October 25, 1997. Guess what. The Bengals lost that game 31-14 to start 1997, 1-4. That was the season Boomer Esiason returned and started the last five games to give the Bengals a 4-1 run to close the season (7-9) with a 106.9 passer rating (13 TD-2 INTs).

With a return, means more time. The kickoff return allowed the Bills 1:44 to close the first half. That's eternity against our defense. Losman completed passes of 16 yards (#82-Reed), 11 yards (#28-T.Jones), 23 yards (#83-Evans), 13 yards (#82-Reed), 5 yards (#82-Reed) setting up Lindell's 21-yard field goal to close the half and bring the deficit to one point -- 14-13. With a spike and incomplete included, Losman completed six of eight passes for 68 yards.

The Bengals offense went three-and-out to start the second half.

Time of possession: The Bengals were dominated in time of possession. For the game, the Bills had the ball for 35:42. That's the third game of the past five that the opposing team has had the ball for 35 minutes or more.

Quarters: So far this season, the Bengals have allowed 88 points (11 per-game) in the second quarter and 75 points (9.3 average) in the fourth quarter. Opposing teams have dominated scoring in the first half 142-87 while the Bengals even out in the second half, 111-102. Sunday was the first game the Bengals didn't score in the fourth quarter while the Bills scored 17 points.

Bengals drive of the day -- 10-play, 70-yard touchdown drive late in the third quarter. Palmer went 6/6 for 59 yards finishing with a one-yard touchdown pass to Jeremi Johnson. His first of the season and sixth career receiving touchdown.

The Bengals are leading 21-19. With 10 minutes left in the fourth quarter, the Bills take possession at the Cincinnati 32-yard line. Marshawn Lynch ran six times for 24 yards finishing with an eight-yard HB touchdown pass to #84-Royal to take the lead and win.

On the Bills next drive, with four minutes left in the game, Marshawn Lynch ran the ball three times, on the drive's four total plays, for 59 yards rushing that ended with a 56-yard touchdown run enabled by... (segue)

Tackle HIM. Oh that's right, you're the worst defense in the world. It's not like the Bengals defense weren't there. They were in the backfield multiple times. Now, there were a lot of mistackles. More than I can review. Of the Bills' 35 rushing plays, I counted 10 mistackles in the backfield that went for positive yards. Myers, Schlegel (twice), Jeanty (twice), Smith, Williams, Geathers, Rucker and Robinson were a few of the guilty culprits.

Of the 10 plays I counted with mistackles in the backfield, if those tackles are made, the Bills lose 25 yards and only rush for 84 yards in the game -- even negating the 56-yard Lynch touchdown.

It seemed that the Bengals, rather than attacking, waited and accepted the running back's hit. More times than not, Lynch fell forward. Dare I say that our defense was afraid to attack the ball carrier? Yes, no. They didn't prove otherwise, that's for sure.

Take the Lynch 56-yard rushing touchdown to seal Buffalo's victory. Rashad Jeanty coming from the right, tried to arm tackle Lynch. Justin Smith fell flat on his face before trying to bring Lynch down with his right hand. Jeanty, sitting on his can, watched Lynch do a partial spin and break down the right sidelines. Deltha O'Neal, moved two yards into the backfield, and stutter-stepped backwards until, like Jeanty, was sitting on his can watching. In O'Neal's defense, that was the play he hurt his leg.

First downs: The Bengals only picked up two first downs on the ground. That equals a season low against the Chiefs.

Another instance when the offense flounders at the time when they must perform. The Bengals are leading 21-19 with nearly a full quarter left in the game. The Bengals go three-and-out -- capped by a dropped Chad Johnson pass on third down. Then go three-and-out again. Then pick up 12 yards on a screen, then go three-and-out. By this time, the Bills are leading 33-21 and the game is over. In three fourth quarter drives, the offense ran 10 plays for 22 total yards. Nice. Way to step up, money makers.

You can blame the defense until you're blue in the face. But as long as they are forced to come back on the field after the offense consistently goes to the sidelines after ineffective 3-5 play drives, then the defense will be worn out. And that showed in the fourth quarter.

Play calling? The Bengals ran 56 total plays -- 17 rushes. In the second half, while the Bengals had the lead for a majority of the half, the offense ran 35 plays and only rushed 9 times (25%). In the first half, of 21 total offensive plays, the Bengals ran eight times (38%). The Bills offense ran 35 passing plays and 35 rushing plays. The Bengals ran 39 passing plays and 17 rushing plays -- two were Palmer scrambles and one was a QB sneak.

Watson's first rush attempt came with seven minutes left in the third quarter.

The typical remains typical #1. After Lynch's 153 yards Sunday, the opposing team's feature back has now rushed for 974 yards (190 carries) this season averaging 5.1 yards per rush. Of the eight feature backs we've faced, only two have fallen short of the 100-yard mark (Willis McGahee, Thomas Jones). Opposing feature backs are averaging 121 yards per game.

The typical remains typical #2. Josh Reed and Lee Evans combined for 15 receptions for 220 yards receiving. That's the second largest combination between the two leading receivers against the Bengals defense. Braylon Edwards and Kellen Winslow hold that distinction with 246 yards.

The typical, no so typical, remains typical #3. J.P Losman finished with a 94.6 passer rating breaking a string of four straight opposing quarterbacks recording a passer rating of 100 or better. However, four of the past five quarterbacks have a completion rate of 70% or better. For the season, opposing quarterbacks have a 67.6% completion rate, 19 touchdowns against eight interceptions for a 102.7 passer rating.

Third downs. Opponents have converted 16 of 25 third downs (64%) in the past two games. The Bengals, not bad themselves, converted 12 of 23 (52%) in the past two games.

God, we're awful.

Let me set the scene. Sitting with my cousin Jarrod, the Bengals made me look godly. I figure they make most offenses look godly, why not me? I told him before each series in the first half exactly how each drive would end up. I predicted that the Bengals would score first. That the Steelers would answer with a touchdown. That the Bengals would punt. That the Steelers would score a touchdown. That the Bengals would score (touchdown or field goal). That the Steelers would score a touchdown. I was like that guy in the NFL commercials that predicts exactly what John Lynch was going to say. My cousin was the Giants fan that believes cell phones can also make toast. I kid. I kid.

While my cousin is a fan of collegiate football, specifically that saturating wardrobe of scarlet, I understood why. He follows the Bengals like most normal people -- not the variety that spends countless hours researching and examining small points that did little in the big picture of any game. He was born and raised in Cincinnati and after a career in the military, he returned to Cincinnati several years ago. The Bengals are his number one NFL team. But far away from the rankings that includes anything Ohio State. Why?

The Bengals piss him off. It's hard for a lot of people to reach deep and pull for a team that's lost its fifth game of the season, lost eight of their past 10 and sport an 7-11 record in the past calendar year. Some are revisiting the emotional disgust that vividly resides in our memory for seasons that was expected to end five years ago. My cousin and I even debated if the Bengals would, not only lose to the Ohio State Buckeyes, but be dominated by the scarlet and gray. Think about it. The Buckeyes would control the clock, convert third downs and finish drives with touchdowns. I won't discuss the madding difference between defenses though. That's just too much for a single post. And perhaps pessimism sours the logical argument that nine times out of ten, professionals are superior to college players -- even though many Ohio State Buckeyes go professional.

What's more frustrating is that two first-round cornerbacks have done next to nothing this season. Our linebackers are in short supply. Our defensive linemen, other than Justin Smith, have become MIA. Our receivers are two of the best in the league. Our linemen are good and have protected Palmer well and enabled Watson to have decent yards-per-carry. It doesn't help when our best player, Carson Palmer, is indirectly neutralized by the performance of Ben Roethlisberger. Meaning we have little advantage between the head-to-head match-up between both quarterbacks.

Moving on...

I'll explain my reasoning while I played the role of Nostradamus.

Bengals would score first. After forcing the Pittsburgh Steelers to punt on five plays to open the game, the Bengals ran 13 plays gaining 68 yards on the game's first scoring drive -- a field goal. Chad Johnson caught three of Palmer's six completions for 21 yards including a ridiculous 11-yard grab down the right sidelines. Crazy. Re-donk-u-lus. Johnson lined up wide right and jogged down the sidelines. Palmer threw short to Chad's outside shoulder. About 10 yards upfield, Chad turned, caught the pass and let his body go limp falling out of bounds.

When the scoring drive went from potential touchdown to easy field goal.
The situation was first-and-ten at the Pittsburgh 13-yard line. Palmer had just completed a 14-yard pass to T.J. Houshmandzadeh on a long third-and-eight. The call: Kenny Watson misdirection to the right. The result: six-yard loss. Eric Ghiaciuc lined up against Pittsburgh's nose tackle, #98-Hampton. The Bengals center allowed Hampton to take a short-side (where the field is shortest between sidelines) A-gap slant and played like a left tackle on pass protection. While Ghiaciuc tried to push Hampton away from the play, the nose tackle penetrated too much forcing Watson to shift right.

Even though Hampton was three yards in the backfield, it still looked like the play would work. Bobbie Williams had #93-Eason tied up while #26-Townsend was blitzing wide from the short-side. Here's where the play went dead. Hampton, by this time disrupting Watson's timing while tying up his legs, allowed the Steelers linebackers to gash through the lanes originally opened for Watson. #50-Foote made first contact after Stacy Andrews waited for the linebacker to come to him at the second level. He barely touched him. Daniel Coats lined up at the right tight end. #53-Haggins, outside linebacker covering Coats, dropped back into coverage. Coats ran towards the linebacker, but Haggins, responsible for containing the edge, eliminated any chance Watson had at positive yardage.

Watson got the call on the next play gaining six yards returning to the original line of scrimmage. After an incomplete, the Bengals kick a field goal. The drive was a good start to the game. Sadly, the Bengals would get only two more possessions in the first half.

The Steelers would score a touchdown: Also known as Leon Hall can't defend a double-move to save his life drive. Let's provide the basic disclaimer here for Leon Hall. He's still a rookie. However, he's a first round pick that's supposedly drafted for the talent of defending double moves.

The first, on second-and-two at the Pittsburgh-42 yard line, was a 42-yard pass caught by Santonio Holmes. Leon Hall lined up -- across #10-Holmes wide left -- about a good 8-9 yards off the line of scrimmage. My complain last week remains. We don't chuck receivers at the line of scrimmage and we play a soft as hell zone allowing patterns and timing routes to go unchallenged. Holmes ran a 10-yard slant route forcing Hall to shift his weight forward -- trying to jump the route. To Holmes credit, it was a nice move. Once Hall bit on the slant, Holmes ran vertical catching the pass with 2-3 yards separation. Like most of Lewis' challenges, it failed miserably.

The second, on first-and-fifteen at the Cincinnati 21-yard line, was a 21-yard touchdown pass to Hines Ward. Again, Leon Hall sat 10 yards off the line of scrimmage allowing Ward to do basically whatever he wants. It was a similar double-move that Holmes put on Hall. After ten yards, Ward took a step in to show a slant route. Hall bit. Ward went went out towards the back left pylon. He was wide open.

Leon Hall looked horrible for two reasons.

1. Cushion. A 10-yard cushion enabled the Steelers passing offense to maintain maximum timing and rhythm.
2. Double-move. While trying to jump both routes, Hall took himself completely out of position biting on the first move.

Hopefully this is a learning experience rather than a forecast of things to come with Hall.

The Bengals would punt. I don't have the numbers. I simply told cousin that the Bengals are horrible at responding to early touchdowns by the opponent. After Glenn Holt caught an eight-yard pass, Kenny Watson picked up nine yards over the middle. On second down, Palmer chucked a pass deep right to Chad Johnson double covered. The football bent back the fingers on Chad's right hand. The pass was inches too long. On third-and-one, the offense calls Kenny Watson's number. Watson searched and searched for a lane. He found one, backside, about two gaps to the left of the intended point of attack. #43-Polamalu tracked Watson and made the hit several feet from the first down marker. The Bengals punt. The media questions. The crowd boos. And I tell my cousin...

The Steelers would score another touchdown. I defended myself from being a pessimist at this point. I've seen the sequence so much it's almost like an accepted fact. The Steelers went 80 yards on 12 plays in 7:09 on a balanced (six runs, six passes) sustaining drive. Which included a Landon Johnson mistackle that would have dropped #38-C.Davis for a five yard loss on a short pass. The mistackle allowed Davis to pick up five yards setting up a 3rd-and-4 rather than a 3rd-and-14. Like it really mattered. #7-B.Roethlisberger found #83-Miller for a 23-yard pick up.

The Steelers converted three third-downs on the drive. Including a 7-yard pass to Holmes with the Bengals' John Thornton twisting and turning Roethlisberger's ankle. A defensive tackle failing to bring down a quarterback, no matter how big, is one of many reasons we fail to succeed.

The Bengals would score. This time, I felt they'd respond to a Steelers score. Optimism was close to breeching the surface. A touchdown would make it interesting. A field goal would, at this point, seem defeated. Palmer completed all seven passes for 46 yards on the drive converting the first two third downs moving the ball to the Pittsburgh 11-yard line with four minutes left in the half.

First play, hand off to Watson for no-gain. Second play, Palmer pump faked left, looked right and dumped off to Kenny Watson over the middle for a four-yard gain. Third play, Palmer fires left to Reggie Kelly for a five-yard gain. Crowd pumps up. Head coach says, "let's go for it". Bengals call timeout. Bengals kick harmless field goal. The crowd boos, loudly. The media questions.

The Steelers would score another touchdown. This time I didn't say a word. I just turned my head, caught my cousins eye and we both let out that laugh where you expect something bad to happen. Not ha-ha funny. Rather, ha-ha, this doesn't look good because we can't stop the Steelers offense and our defense is embarrassing, funny. Long story short, the Steelers went nine plays for 67 yards on the touchdown drive leaving the Bengals no time at half-time.

The Bengals offense would get the ball three times in the second-half going three-and-out, touchdown (17 plays, 88 yards) and Kenny Watson fumble.

Another 100-yard rusher. The Bengals, for the season, have allowed 821 yards on 161 carries against seven opposing feature backs. Five have recorded 100 yards rushing or more -- Jamal Lewis (215), Shaun Alexander (100), Sammy Morris (117), Larry Johnson (119) and Willie Parker (126). Opposing feature backs are averaging 5.0 yards per carry and 117.2 yards per game.

Did you know: Opposing teams have scored points in the second and fourth quarter of each game. Of the 28 quarters played this season, the Bengals defense has shutout the opposing team's offense in only five -- four shutouts in the third quarter.

Not so 100 yards rushing. The Bengals rushing offense recorded 91 yards rushing. This is the fifth game this season that the Bengals failed to record 100 yards or more as a team.

Speaking of quarters: The Bengals defense has allowed 82 points in the second quarter -- 37 in the past three games -- for an average of 11 points allowed per game in the second quarter.

Where are you Chad? After catching four passes for 37 yards in the first half, Chad caught one pass for 14 yards in the second half -- 1:27 left in the third quarter.

Five: Chad Johnson's last touchdown was the Dawg Pound leap during a week two loss to Cleveland (45-51). He's been shutout from the endzone in five consecutive games. The last time Johnson was shutout of the endzone in October, was 2002.

Did you know #2: In six straight games, the Bengals defense has allowed two or more touchdowns to the opposing team's leading two receivers. Add up the numbers of the opposing team's two leading receivers in their respective games and it looks like this: 93 receptions, 1,229 yards receiving, 14 touchdowns.

Deltha's interception. Probably could be labeled a bad pass rather than a great pick, Deltha O'Neal's interception in the third quarter was his first pick since September, 24, 2006 against... the Steelers, week #3.

You have to give the Bengals credit. When down by 13 points in the second half, the Bengals ran, ran, ran utilizing the play-action in the right spots. Kenny Watson's 21 second-half carries is a big reason the offense kept sustaining long drives forcing the Jets offense to be victim of a reinvigorating Bengals defense late in the game. The Bengals dominated time of possession 33:54-26:06, converted 70% (7 of 10) of their third downs and outscored the Jets 21-8 in the fourth quarter.

How good was Kenny Watson Sunday? The power and burst he used through the line is something we've not seen in awhile. He played well enough, not to just backup Rudi, but challenge him for starts. The offensive line was tremendous -- especially the run blocking of Levi Jones. Nice rebound. Jeremi Johnson made body crippling blocks at the point of attack. The Bengals offense shifted philosophy from pass first, to rush first. And it was a tremendous job for the offense to swallow its pride and do what they could to win. They didn't panic, like they usually do, falling behind early. Down by two touchdowns, the offense stuck to the rush and the rewards were plentiful.

Well done by the coaches to adjust their line of thinking. Well done by the offense to execute. Well done by the defense to rise when challenged. It wasn't just the offense that won this game. It was the late effort by the Bengals defense to seal the victory (detailed below). While the first half was awful, the Bengals did exactly what they needed to win this game in the second half.

The Last Three Rush TD: The last time a Bengals running back rushed for three touchdowns in a game was the 2004 season (1/02/05) when Rudi Johnson scored three times against the Philadelphia Eagles in game #16.

Passer Trends: There's still concern with the Bengals pass defense. Even though Chad Pennington gift wrapped an interception to help us win the game, he still recorded a 111.2 passer rating. It's the third straight game that the opposing quarterback recorded a 100+ passer rating -- fourth this season. The last three:

But one trend broken: Heading into Sunday, the Bengals have allowed the opposing team's feature back to gain over 100 yards in four straight games. Thomas Jones finished the game with 67 yards rushing. The Jets are the first team the Bengals defense held to under 100 yards rushing (84) with the longest going 12 yards.

A First. The Bengals picked up 12 first downs on the ground. That's equal to the last three games combined.

Crazy, crazy Interpretation. This is how different Sunday's game was to anything we've seen this season. Combined, Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery combined for 14 receptions for 193 yards receiving and three touchdowns. Kenny Watson and DeDe Dorsey combined for 38 rush attempts for 153 yards rushing and three touchdowns.

Hello, Mr. Watson. In what has to be the most intriguing adjustment I've seen this offense make in some time, the Bengals, being down 23-10, adjusted. They didn't throw nine times to every one draw play on third and long. No, it wasn't characteristic of known commodities. Coming out of the half-time gates, the offense ran six times on the first seven plays for 36 yards rushing. Why is this odd? We've never really seen this team stick to the running game when down by more than a touchdown -- much less, 13 points. To do so is heresy in the code of modern Bengals football.

Running a total of 11 times (56 yards rushing) on the 14-play touchdown drive during the team's opening half possession, the Bengals suddenly found themselves in the midst of a momentum shift. This shift was rewarded by the football gods by actually sticking to the running game. Praise, the run. A breakdown of Watson's runs.

More on run, run Bengals. Self-absorbing ALERT: I left pretty satisfied that my belief DeDe Dorsey could be a good running back on the roster when he was initially with the Bengals during the 2006 preseason proved somewhat true. Dorsey continued the running game's successes while giving Watson a breather picking up 27 yards rushing including a jock-strapping spin move deep in the backfield. Wow. He didn't have the yards, but he did great fulfilling the role of backup running back Sunday. It also helps to have an offensive line blocking that well.

Chad Johnson's missed Touchdown opportunity
Third-and-one at the Jets two-yard line with 5:50 in the first quarter: Palmer took a three-step drop and arched a fading pass aimed for the back left pylon. Chad had the ball judged, almost confident that he'd make the easy catch. Next concern. Feet. You could tell his mind was clearly on positioning his feet. When the ball was within his grasp, his body went limp with three yards to spare before the out-of-bounds line. The ball slipped through his hands and his feet became irrelevant. Bengals kick the field goal. Jets 7-3. This is a catch that we've seen Chad make routinely.

On the Jets Second Possession. The first thing that stands out is that the Jets ran a 15-play, 60-yard drive that took over nine minutes to run. The second thing that stands out is that the Bengals defense only allows a field goal. That's sucking it up. I don't care who you are.

Sometimes two is better than one. Sometimes. The Jets were in the middle of their longest drive of the game. The situation is third-and-one at the Cincinnati 46-yard line. Thomas Jones ran on three of the past four plays. So you can only assume they're going to run. The Jets run right. The play was disrupted by Anthony Schlegel's mad-diving abandonment through the line taking on the full back opening a lane for Bryan Robinson -- who clutched on Jones' legs. Landon Johnson lined up the running back and Jones falls. Stopping the Jets on third down -- while in reflection, wasn't that big of a deal -- was a work of three parties. Schlegel clears out the lead blocker, Robinson slowed the running back and Landon finished off Jones. Without one of those three parties, the Bengals aren't given a chance at a turnover on down.

But what are the Bengals defense known as? Awful. So we see, and will see, more fourth and short attempts than against any other defense in the league until that impression fades. The situation is fourth down. Distance and location is the same. Jets line up with standard I-formation, strong side to the right with #89-Cotchery motioning two yards outside the tight end's hip. The play was a standard run inside the right guard. Justin Smith, blocked by the left tackle, ran down the line of scrimmage like he was nothing. Smith made the initial hit while Landon and Schlegel fell a split second short of making the stop. Unfortunately, the Jets got the first down. Even though I was suspect they made the conversion at the time. Well, I'm still suspect.

Palmer's interception. After the Jets scored a field goal on their 15-play drive, the Bengals came out with a rush and pass. On the pass, the Bengals lined up single-back, three-wide receiver formation with Jeremi Johnson in the left slot and T.J. Houshmandzadeh lined up far right. Houshmandzadeh ran a five-yard in-route. The pass was very standard and the route was very Houshmandzadeh-like. This play works nine times out of ten. This is the one. Without any firm possession, the football hot-potatoed between both players when #31-Poteat came up with the ball. Interception. As they say, #31-Poteat just wanted it more.

Crediting Leon Hall. Let's give credit to Leon Hall -- whose been noticeably scorched this season. The rookie, lined up on Laveranues Coles on third-and-six at the Cincinnati 6-yard line, made a plan fulfilling preseason expectations. The touch pass floated towards the front left pylon. The route was simple. Run to the goal line and jump and fight for the underthrown ball. Leon Hall, never biting like so many corners on this play, had inside position spotting the football one-yard short of the goal line. Hall jumped up and extended his left hand making contact and forcing the incomplete. Jets kick a field goal to go up 13-3. Fantastic defensive play by Hall to prevent the touchdown.

Why was Hall's play important? The obvious lack of increased scoring is the known. What happened afterwards started shifting, albeit subtlety, the game's momentum. After that Jets possession, the Bengals would outscore New York, 35-18. On the ensuing possession, the Bengals ran eight times on 11 plays for 76 yards ending with a Kenny Watson three-yard touchdown. The team only passed three times -- including a 29-yard pass to Chad and a 19-yard pass to T.J. that picked up a first down on third-and-11.

The 2:08 First Half Drive.. After Shayne Graham booted a kickoff through the endzone (no, seriously), the Jets offense takes the field with the Bengals down 13-10. After a 12-yard pass to #16-Smith on a slant (Landon was too late to cut off the route and Deltha was playing off), the two-minute warning sounded. Here's the frustrating thing. The Jets were moving slowly. There was no way they'd s