One of the biggest differences when comparing Cincinnati's previous two playoff runs in 2009 and 2011 wasn't so much the change at quarterback, nor the revision at wide receiver. It was the production of Cincinnati's rushing offense, specifically the components in Cedric Benson and the Cincinnati Bengals offensive line.

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Quarterback: Carson Palmer

When Carson Palmer looks at himself in the mirror every morning, he sees a dad, a husband, and an NFL quarterback -- and probably the tinkerer of some obscure hobby, like modifying computer monitors into Jules Verne-looking stuff, although that seems more like a Jordan thing to do. The point is, the importance of the position is arguably unmatched in sports which means it's one of the hardest jobs in America, and Carson, if nothing else, knows his job well, and that is what makes him more valuable to the Bengals than many of us realize.

Obviously, there's more to it than just throwing the ball. The modern quarterback must have the ability to completely master a giant playbook and know where every 22 players will be on every play. He must be a leader in study sessions, during practice and especially on game-day. He has to remain calm and collected at all times both to heckling fans (like me) and to bothersome media (like me). He has to know how long his pocket will hold up and must somehow sense pass-rushers he cannot see. He has to have an ability to improvise on plays gone awry and demonstrate a certain panache while doing so. Most importantly, though, he has to convince the whole world that he has all of these things well under control and that their team is in good hands.

Then there is the physical side to the job. A quarterback's body must hold up to the annual beat-down it suffers at the hands of increasingly scary blitzers for at least 16 games a year. He also needs to be fairly tall to see over the line, and should run well. His arm must be strong enough to throw at least 50 yards in the air, throw bullets to the sidelines, and still have the ability to take some off of throws when a bit of finesse is required. He has to be tough, and if he can grow some quality cold-weather stubble, all the better.

It's this combination of mental and physical abilities that legitimizes Carson as a guy who is good at his job and eases my anxieties some about him remaining with the team.

However,...

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Offensive Coordinator: Bob Bratkowski

For many years throughout the last decade, the Bengals offense was considered potent but inconsistent. At different points, they had as much firepower as New England or Indianapolis, but were simply never able to put it together well enough for any prolonged success. Then came 2009, when someone within the Bengals organization demanded that they become a power-running team, and, lo and behold, the playoffs were reached. Finally, the team had adopted an identity that not only worked, but embodied the division that the Bengals struggled to win for so many years. They out-Pittsburghed the Steelers twice in huge games, and held the Ravens at bay with a pair of hard-nosed contests. Things fizzled out in the wild-card game, but all in all it was a damn good season for Bengals.

That offseason, everything came together in what seemed a perfect harmony of sure-fire success. First, the team parted with the severely underwhelming Laveranues Coles and the stone-handed Dan Coates, and demoted Andre Caldwell. Then, they replaced said players with Terrell Owens, Jermaine Gresham and Jordan Shipley, and the total upgrade was complete. Cedric Benson felt good and was raring for another big year, and Bernard Scott had continued to develop into an exciting young play-maker. The entire offensive line, each member of the coaching staff, and, of course, the same quarterback, all joined forces again in what many expected would be an even better campaign in 2010. They had all the right pieces in place; through personnel moves, they fixed what destroyed them in last year's playoffs. Now that they had better players in the failed positions of a year ago, they would surely become a true force in the division and beyond.

The problem was, that instead of continuing what worked so well, they decided the modern-day wheel wasn't good enough and that maybe they should reinvent a new one. And so they did.

At this point, most Bengal fans draw their swords toward Bob Bratkowski. Even if he isn't the man who makes the decision on what the offensive "identity" should look like, he still has to come under fire for the department he heads which has performed so very poorly in recent years. Putting aside the man's glaring play-calling tendencies and gross predictability, his refusal to stick with the run goes against good reasoning.

During the second half in Atlanta in Week 7, it looked like the offense really could be a vertical-pass attack using the no-huddle and had the Falcon secondary reeling. Once that looked like it could become an interesting new style for the team and maybe get the offense some meaningful productivity, Brat -- or other unknown forces -- went away from the no-huddle except in desperate comeback-mode. As a result of abandoning both the smash-mouth and the no-huddle attack, his team came down in a spectacular blaze of forced passes to TO and Chad Ochocinco, and a nasty string of losses ensued. Only when Carson had to throw to younger players with less television shows did the offense breathe life again, and by then it was already too late.

I don't think any play-caller can live in this world without being criticized along the way, but Mr. Bratkowski's curious methods have gone fruitless and yet unchecked for far too long now, and when the whole world points to him as a problem, there has to be some credence to such a claim.

The offense Brat intended was more of a vertical-passing model that counted on teams double-teaming Chad Ochocinco and leaving TO in one-on-one match ups. Brat likes the idea of TO going solo with anyone in the league, and that thinking isn't automatically flawed, but once it became apparent that Owens would consistently make a "business-decision" on every deep ball and only give the minimum effort on passes thrown his way, the reliance on Batman should have subsided and the youngsters should have come out of the woodwork faster. I believe Brat wanted to run Benson as many times as he did the year before, but he expected those rush attempts to come late in games and when playing with the lead. Carson Palmer was supposed to return to something like his 2005, or at least '06 form, and stretch defenses with his big arm and retooled passing attack. The aerial assault would open up the run, just like it did when Rudi Johnson was racking up thousands of yards. The day would be his again at long last.

Only it didn't work the way it was intended, and like the 2008 season, the adjustments were made too late. The season became a wash and eventually players began openly criticizing the play-calling. From the outside, it really appeared that Brat became enamored with TO in his scheme and put too much faith in his super-hero abilities. He figured the man could fly, when it turned out that he can only glide a little.

Ultimately, Brat cannot see for himself what is best for the team until the season is already lost. I am sure that he has some very logical reasons as to why he runs his offense the way he does, but after quite a thorough search for them, I can't find any good ones.

Unfortunately, he will be back. So will the same bad habits and the same overly-complicated scheme that relies on players to make great plays instead of relying on open receivers to make the routine ones. So shall the confusion between quarterback and receiver and the public lambasting by players of a system in flux. The mere fact that he remains employed with the same title is a just another classic example of the organization as a whole. I hope things improve with the new set of guys next year, but how often have we murmured that same very thing in the past?

At Cincy Jungle, we wanted to commemorate 2010 with a look back on the year with our Top-20 Moments of 2010. Be warned, this isn't a list called the "20 Greatest Moments of 2010". With a team that's 4-11, you should expect some moments that will be tough rough to relive. But relive you will, because these moments are what made 2010.

Michael Vick is often mentioned by experts as having an MVP-caliber season. Well, at least a share of the award because how can any one with a conscience pick Michael Vick over Tom Brady, who hasn't thrown an interception in his past 319 pass attempts and thrown 34 touchdowns? Even though an MVP award might be a bit of an over-reaction, like people with the moral compass of a toad actually caring that Brett Favre sent what-seemed-like drunk texts to a hot brunette, Vick is having a tremendous season.

Yet, when the Bengals shouted Who Dey in the defensive huddle, Michael Vick was as effective as a right hand turn during a NASCAR race. Instead of the "MVP" performing quarterback we've seen this year, Vick completed only one of five passes for six yards. In fact, Vick completed more passes to the Bengals than he did his own teammates. As we call that in the video game world, "you got PWNED."

The Bengals beat the Philadelphia Eagles to win their second preseason game of the year 22-9, thanks to a three-interception performance by cornerback Morgan Trent and quarterback sacks by Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap and Brandon Johnson.

Shayne Graham, the Bengals place kicker for eight seasons and the team's 2009 Franchise player, holds several team records and if it weren't for Jim Breech, Graham would be Cincinnati's all-time point-scorer. However, after tiring from having having so many crucial kicks missed, the Cincinnati Bengals and Graham finally parted ways earlier this year.

The Bengals brought in David Rayner and Mike Nugent to compete for the job during training camp and the preseason. Nugent won it, partly because he made several field goals from 50 yards out. Nugent's season would end after tearing a ligament in his knee during an onside kick against the Indianapolis Colts, making his 78.9% field goal conversion officially worse than any season with Graham. The Bengals signed Aaron Pettrey, who played two games, missed a field goal in each and was promptly released. Somewhere, someone said, "goddamn Buckeye kickers."

By this time, David Rayner made several game-winning (or game-tying) field goals in the waning moments of Lions games that would lead to victories while Shayne Graham has converted all 11 field goal attempts with the New England Patriots. However, Graham has also missed two extra points, so that's kind of funny.

Finally the Bengals picked up a placekicker that actually converts his field goals in Clint Stitser, converting all seven attempts through four games, including four against the Cleveland Browns that largely won the game. However, Stitser's two failed PAT kicks actually has his PAT conversion 22.2 points worse than his perfect field goal percentage. That's not so funny.

The Bengals fifth pick in the NFL draft, Geno Atkins, was caught by surprise when Cincinnati selected him in April. It's not that he grumbled to his family about playing for the Bengals; it's that the team never approached Atkins for an interview and the defensive tackle had no idea that Cincinnati was even interested. While this might not surprise you, it tends to be a shock to the system of potential employees who are looking for work.

Fans quickly took a liking to Atkins, who recorded at least one quarterback sack through the first four games in the preseason. Atkins has since provided noticeable pressure up the middle, tied for the team lead with 14 quarterback pressures through the first 14 games this season. The rookie defensive tackle also has 2.5 quarterback sacks this season and even made a start against the Pittsburgh Steelers in week 13.

Let's recap Andre Smith's karma. In 2009, he holds out as a first round draft pick, making him just like many first round draft picks over the years -- incredibly greedy for someone that's never played a down in the NFL. A few days after signing, he breaks his foot during non-contact drills and spends the first half of the 2009 season rehabilitating his foot. After the season was over, Smith underwent a procedure in February to strengthen his foot. His recovery time, expected for only 10 weeks, meandered into Training Camp, angering Marvin Lewis at Smith's lack of worth ethic to get on the field sooner -- which isn't uncommon because Lewis hates you if you're hurt.

Smith played the first game this year and his playing time gradually increased to the point that he finally became The Man at right tackle, helping the Bengals record a season-high 469 yards of total offense against the Falcons; the most yards in two seasons. Smith would break his foot again during practice on November 10 and was placed on Injured Reserve three days later. When asked if Smith was going to have another foot-strengthening procedure like the one he had in February, Smith recited Hamlet from memory and then ate a bag of Funyuns. What? They're good.

Bengals cornerback Johnathan Joseph just returned an interception for a touchdown, giving the Bengals a 28-7 lead with 10:10 remaining in the second quarter. This appeared to be the Bengals first win during their six-game losing streak with at least four moral victories. Yes!

Ryan Fitzpatrick and Stephen Johnson connected for three second half touchdowns, Drayton Florence returned a Cedric Benson fumble for a touchdown and Fred Jackson scored the Bills' fifth touchdown of the second half on a 30-yard run late in the fourth quarter. The Bengals would lose another three games before finally winning their third game of the season against the Cleveland Browns.

To make matters worse, Joseph re-injured a high ankle sprain that knocked him out a couple of games earlier in the year, leaving the game and missing two of the next three.

If you needed a summary of the 2010 Cincinnati Bengals, look no further than the team's migraine-inducing 49-31 loss to the Buffalo Bills. Actually, if you needed a summary of the 2010 Cincinnati Bengals, then you're just messed up man.

The Cincinnati Bengals lost their eighth straight game against the New York Jets on Thanksgiving night. Mounting frustration from Bengals fans had already boiled into pure Jar Jar Binks hatred. Over a week later, the Bengals hosted the Super Bowl Champion New Orleans Saints and actually took a three-point lead with 4:25 left in the game on a 47-yard Clint Stitser field goal, who thankfully wasn't forced to attempt a game-tying PAT.

The Saints drove the ball on the ensuing drive, reaching the Bengals seven-yard line, forced to go for it on fourth down with :34 seconds left in the game. At least that's what they'd like for you to believe. The scenario and situation was obvious that the Saints were just trying to draw the Bengals offsides, possibly accepting a delay of game that would give New Orleans a better angle for an upcoming field goal attempt that would send the game into overti... Wait. Did Pat Sims just jump? Drew Brees hits Marques Colston on a three-yard touchdown and the Saints win.

Yep. Pat Sims actually jumped. Andre Smith offers Sims some Funyuns.

The Bengals drafting Jermaine Gresham wasn't a slam dunk leading up to the 2010 NFL Draft. The Bengals needed help at safety and the issue of a pass rusher was an issue that needed to be addressed. This didn't include the desperate need to revamp and redevelop the team's wide receiver core and maybe, just maybe, draft an offensive lineman rather than having a majority of your starters signed after the draft because no one believed they were even worth a seventh round pick. Now that puts it in perspective, doesn't it?

In the end, the Bengals drafted Jermaine Gresham and all he did was set a franchise record for receptions by a Bengals rookie tight end. The sky is literally the limit for Gresham, who Reggie Kelly said will be one of the best overall tight ends in the NFL. And when Reggie Kelly speaks, you can't help but listen to the man.

In May, the Bengals took the uncharacteristic route of signing a player that no other team wanted due to a history of off the field conduct. Adam Jones joined the Bengals and spent much of the offseason laying low, talking about redemption with the intention of killing his nickname "Pacman". Jones eventually did just that, quietly working with the team to redevelop the skills that once made him an impact player.

Jones' season would end when he was placed on Injured Reserve with a herniated disc against the Atlanta Falcons in late October. Finishing the season with 13 tackles, an interception, two passes defensed, a forced fumble and two fumble recoveries, Jones convinced the Bengals, the media and the fans that he was a man worthy of a second chance. After all, he was only arrested once and that the result of mistaken identity. Baby steps.

During the second meeting between the Bengals and Pittsburgh Steelers, Cincinnati took the game's opening drive to the Steelers one-yard line. Domata Peko lined up at fullback and Andrew Whitworth lined up as a tight end on the right -- a common formation when the Bengals go with their jumbo package to run the football.

Whitworth pretended to block LaMarr Woodley briefly and walked into the endzone. Carson Palmer floated a beautiful pass over 20 players' beautiful heads into the massive mitts of our beautiful offensive lineman. Whitworth would go on to score the game's only offensive touchdown, giving the Bengals a 7-0 lead that would eventually evaporate due to Palmer's other two touchdowns passes. Still, a lineman recording a touchdown reception always gives me misty eyes and causes Dave Lapham to go momentarily incoherent in the press box because he couldn't be living in a happier moment.

Unlike Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap began his NFL career with some frustration among the coaching staff and the fans. Inactive through four of the season's first five games, Dunlap's career turned for the better, directly thanks to the misfortunes that befell Antwan Odom.

Now, Dunlap is second in the league among NFL rookies with eight quarterback sacks and he's currently on a streak of recording at least a shared quarterback sack in five straight games, and six of the previous seven games. He's averaging over a quarterback sack in the previous seven games.

Formula: Odom's broken wrist + wife's diet pills = Dunlap's emergence.

Back in August -- which felt like five years ago -- the Bengals were debating on whom they should keep as their sixth receiver on the 53-man roster: Jerome Simpson or their sixth round draft pick Dezmon Briscoe. If you asked any fan, a majority wouldn't hesitate to name Briscoe because Simpson's extended stay as one of the team's inactive players during gameday was frustrating.

Eventually keeping Simpson, the Bengals offered Briscoe a standard contract of around $5,200/week to sign with the practice squad. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers blew that deal away with their own practice squad contract for $310,000. The Buccaneers are like grotesquely rich people that bid six hundred-billion-trillion dollars for a baseball that a juiced up baseball player crushed to give him 500 for his career, while wagging his finger -- all authority-like -- about how he's totally clean.

At the end of the day, Briscoe was promoted to the Buccaneers 53-man roster and caught his first NFL receptions last week against the Seattle Seahawks.

Simpson, on the other hand, had the most awesome game that any receiver ever had in the history of football. A bit dramatic? At least we're the last one's laughing when it comes to Tampa Bay. Because...

With 2:28 left in the fourth quarter and Tampa Bay out of timeouts, the Bengals were enjoying a seven-point lead on third-and-13 at their own 38-yard line. So the obvious thing to do here is to have Carson Palmer force a pass to alligator-arms Terrell Owens into triple coverage . We wouldn't recognize the 2010 Cincinnati Bengals otherwise. Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib intercepted the pass and Josh Freeman tied the game with a 20-yard touchdown throw to Mike Williams.

After driving the football down to the Bengals 47-yard line, Carson Palmer threw another interception that put the Buccaneers in position to connect on a 31-yard field goal to win the game. Which they did.

If you needed a summary of the 2010 Cincinnati Bengals, look no further than the team's migraine-inducing 24-21 loss to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The decision to throw the football, with time expiring and a lead, would often get someone fired because it directly led to the team losing. Actually, if you needed a summary of the 2010 Cincinnati Bengals, you're just messed up man.

Those Tampa Bay Buccaneers are now snickering. Speaking of which...

After losing Chris Henry to a broken arm and watching pregnant women move better than Laveranues Coles, the Bengals looked for a wide receiver to give $28 million to with a severe knee condition that the medical staff would never find. Thankfully, the Bengals proudly found one just before another team scooped up the hot commodity.

In early March, the Bengals signed Antonio Bryant to a four-year contract worth $28 million with $8 million guaranteed. With persistent knee problems that the Bengals training staff apparently weren't able to identify, the Bengals threw caution to the wind and allowed Bryant to practice during the first session of the first day in training camp, eliminating Bryant from any Players Unable To Participate lists.

The Bengals were left with the only decision available to them without being placed on Injured Reserve. Eating nearly $7 million and releasing him back to free agency.

At the end of the day, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers are still snickering. I hate the goddamn Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

Yep. The Bengals lost ten straight games. Moving on to #6...

It only took 46 regular season games, but the Bengals 2008 Second Round draft pick finally arrived.

A game after recording his first reception in two seasons, Jerome Simpson caught six passes for 126 yards and two touchdowns, edging out other performances of doing nothing for a career-game.

Losing 24-7 as half time concluded, the Bengals appeared to be playing like they've played all season -- always losing early, sometimes by multiple scores and acting lifeless. But like many of their games this year, at some point they'd would surge for at least a quarter to make it interesting enough to keep fans' attention -- which really just pissed off more because we knew that they were capable, if not for the self-imposed methods finding ways to lose.

After a 33-yard Mike Nugent field goal, the Bengals defense only allowed a first down before forcing the Falcons to punt with 7:06 left in the third quarter. On the ensuing drive, Carson Palmer completed all six passes on an 88-yard drive that was capped by a 19-yard Terrell Owens touchdown. Leon Hall intercepted a third-down Matt Ryan pass on the following drive and Carson Palmer hit Jordan Shipley on a hot-route to avoid a blitz that went 64 yards for a touchdown, reducing Cincinnati's deficit to five points.

On Atlanta's very next play, Matt Ryan completed a five-yard pass to Roddy White. Adam Jones yanked the football from White's hands and returned it 59 yards for a touchdown. The Bengals took a 25-24 lead by the time the third quarter ended, what could be considered the most exciting single quarter of action this season.

Unfortunately, the game wouldn't end favorably for our boys. After Matt Ryan and the Falcons responded with a touchdown, Cedric Benson fumbled the football that gave Atlanta the opportunity to take a two touchdown lead and eventually the win, 39-32.

If the Chargers win their week 16 game against the Bengals, then San Diego still has a chance to win the AFC West, with a little help. Just look at the facts and you'll understand why not a single soul picked the Bengals to beat the Chargers. San Diego came into the game with the league's second best offense, the best defense and the best passing defense.

So it makes sense that the Bengals completely outclassed San Diego in every phase of the game. Cincinnati recorded 371 yards of total offense against the league's best defense and Carson Palmer's 157.2 passer rating was only 1.1 points away from being perfect. Additionally the Bengals held the league's second rated offense 313 yards of total offense.

In a must-win game, it was the Cincinnati Bengals who wanted to win the game, even though they haven't had anything to play for since October, in what was clearly their best game of the year.

If it weren't for corporations and money bags Papa McGee, the Bengals sellout streak would have been snapped during the team's 2009 playoff run. Instead, local companies and networks often bought the team's remaining non-premium tickets in an effort to get the game sold out, allowing local fans to watch \ from home -- it's just cheaper and the viewing experience is 20-fold better today than its ever been.

Then the Buffalo Bills came into town, who actually had a worse record than Cincinnati. Two teams combined for three wins by the 11th week in the season was a recipe for the first blackout in the region since 2003. And the Bengals lost by 18 points. Yea. This was a really bad day. Andre Smith: "Want some Funyuns?"

The Cincinnati Bengals had just embarrassed themselves in front of the NFL community by signing a gimpy wide receiver in Antonio Bryant, who couldn't do much physical work due to his knee. Eventually, the Bengals finally saw what every one else did in Bryant -- he's not physically not right. So the Bengals needed someone else at wide receiver. Conventional wisdom would be to let the younger receivers battle it out.

But the Bengals were coming off a playoff loss in which the passing game was largely deficient. So the offseason goal was to give Carson Palmer weapons in their goal of returning to the postseason.

Just before Training Camp started, the Bengals decided to sign Terrell Owens to a one-year deal worth $2 million with an additional $2 million in incentives. Many expected lockerroom distractions and eventual explosions as the team began their journey of a franchise-level losing streak. While Owens did go public with some complains, he largely kept to himself in a season where he recorded 72 receptions, 983 yards receiving and nine touchdowns.

For only the second time since 1991, the Cincinnati Bengals made the playoffs, hosting the New York Jets on January 9, 2010. Unfortunately, big plays like Shonn Greene's 39-yard touchdown run and Dustin Keller's 45-yard touchdown reception doomed the Bengals, who couldn't generate much of a passing offense. On the bright side, Cedric Benson destroyed the supposedly tough Jets rushing defense with 169 yards rushing on 21 carries and a touchdown.

The Bengals would go onto to lose the game 24-14 and the Jets would eventually reach the AFC Championship Game.

Even though our top moment is of a Bengals playoff loss, the reality is that when the Bengals make the playoffs, it's momentous because of the rarity of occurrences.

Cincinnati's 2-3 start to the season can't be filtered from the frustrating moments that transmutates into complete anger, impatience and suggestions that the team should completely rebuild from scratch.

When frustration started mounting with people calling to have Marvin Lewis fired at times in 2007, I asked if we really want Mike Brown to be the one rebuilding this team? I know, it's not a good reason for inaction, but it's also the absolute reality. Sure, hire a general manager. That would be great. But you do realize whom you're asking that of, don't you? Fantasy is always fun to play, but only if reality doesn't inject it's vulgar reminders that your suggestions are totally meaningful.

If Mike Brown is tasked with finding a new head coach, his track record is far more terrifying than having Lewis around for another five years. Complacency? Perhaps. Before Marvin Lewis, it was David Shula, Bruce Coslet and Dick LeBeau. As Bengals head coaches, they combined to win 52 of 174 games, translating into a .299 winning percentage. More terrifyingly put, that's 35 games below .500. Marvin Lewis, on the other hand, is right at .500, going 58-58-1. That's not to say that Lewis is the answer to win Cincinnati a championship and by no means, is fear a reason to hire a new head coach. But really, giving Brown the option to find a new head coach is scary business.

I know, bringing up things in history seems pointless. But how can you blindly disregard history? How can you sit there and and actually think that your thought process is anything near what the franchise thinks. Your suggestions might be better, but playing armchair quarterback is about as useful as people that moan about elected officials, but refuse to vote because it's raining outside.

That being said, the season thus far is a severe disappointment. It's not disappointing that we're 2-3, as weird as that sounds. Many teams expected to do well are struggling. Alright, 2-3 is disappointing, but it's the teams we've lost to that brings about the most painful realization that Cincinnati is basically an average team. But how did we get to that point?

New England 38, Cincinnati 24. Bengals open the season in New England, kicking off a schedule many defined as being one of the toughest in the league. Many didn't expect the Bengals to pull away with a victory, but the concept of an upset wasn't entirely unthinkable. In fact, we had every confidence, mostly a result of the homerism remaining in our gut that ignited when the regular season kicking off, that the game would be decided late.

Yea, we were kind of disappointed on that.

Carson Palmer was sacked on the team's opening possession and New England ran a five-play 72-yard drive that ended with a nine-yard touchdown to Wes Welker. Bengals punt on the ensuing possession and fumble on the possession after that. Through the first 24 minutes of the game, New England built a 17-0 lead and the route was officially on.

New England would go onto to build a 24-3 lead at half time when New England's Brandon Tate returns the second half opening kickoff 97 yards to give New England a 31-3 lead with 29:48 godforsaken minutes left in the game.

Thankfully the Patriots would go into a prevent-mode defense, allowing the Bengals to make the score appear respectable to anyone that didn't actually watch the game. Cincinnati's first three possessions would end with touchdowns; all three drives went at least 12 plays and at least 73 yards. Cincinnati would pull with 14 points by the end of the third quarter, actually giving the Bengals a fool's hope that they could make an epic second half comeback.

New England promptly took a 14-play drive for 81 yards for a touchdown, giving New England a three touchdown lead and eventually the win.

Cincinnati 15, Baltimore 10. Cincinnati got back to basics against the Ravens, using a formula they used last year to sweep the 2008 AFC runner-ups. Cincinnati picked up 253 yards of total offense, with the defense holding Baltimore to 259 yards and a 26% conversion rate on third downs. Cincinnati's defense played exceptionally, forcing four Joe Flacco interceptions, limiting Ray Rice to under 100 yards rushing and preventing former Bengals receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh from even recording a reception.

In fact, if you combined Baltimore's big three receivers, Anquan Boldin, Derrick Mason and Houshmandzadeh, they recorded six receptions for 67 yards receiving and a touchdown.

Cincinnati would eventually hold onto the football for over 34 minutes, winning the game on five Mike Nugent field goal conversions, giving Cincinnati, by far, their biggest win of the season.

Cincinnati 20, Carolina 7. Benson was featured heavily against the Panthers, picking up 81 yards rushing on 27 carries and a first quarter touchdown. Palmer records his second consecutive game with a passer rating below 61 with a yard/pass average below 5.4 yards. Yet Cincinnati won because of a defense that limited Carolina to 267 yards of total offense and an 18% conversion rate on third down.

Furthermore, the Bengals defense absolutely dominated Carolina in the first half, limiting the offense to 50 yards of total offense, allowing only one completed pass by Jimmy Clausen.

Cincinnati took a 10-point lead into half time and never looked back, eventually matching that in the fourth quarter, dominating the time of possession with over 36 minutes.

Cleveland 23, Cincinnati 20. Even though Cincinnati isn't destroying their opponents during wins, by this time there was enough confidence to feel that as long as they beat the teams they should beat, then everything will come together, provided we have patience. After several weeks of blaming Carson Palmer for the origins of smallpox, the Bengals passing offense truly explodes against the Browns. Carson Palmer records a 121.4 quarterback rating, completing 25 of 36 passes for 371 yards passing and two touchdowns. Terrell Owens was Palmer's biggest contributor, hauling in 10 passes for 222 yards receiving, which included a 78-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter.

Yet, the Bengals only scored 20 points and lost. Aside from the 10 points in the first half, the Bengals would punt, fumble, punt and miss a field goal in the first half and would go onto fumble a second time in the second half. Cleveland would kill the game's remaining 4:41 with a 10-play drive with Peyton Hillis running for 38 yards to seal Cincinnati's loss.

Tampa Bay 24, Cincinnati 21. Cincinnati came into this game, which was marketed as a great sports day in Cincinnati with the Reds hosting the Philadelphia Phillies at Great American Ball Park for the third game of the National League Divisional Series later that night. The Bengals had just come off a disappointing three-point loss to the Cleveland Browns. All combined, the Bengals had nearly every reason to win this game and there was a ton of excitement.

Cedric Benson had, by far, his best game of the year, picking up 144 yards rushing on 23 carries with an additional 19 yards receiving. Terrell Owens picked up 102 yards receiving on seven receptions which included a 43-yard touchdown reception.

Yet, the Bengals only scored 21 points and lost. Even though Palmer recorded his second straight multiple touchdown performance, with five touchdowns in the past three games, Palmer threw three interceptions that led to 17 points for the Buccaneers. The Bengals defense, just as appalling, played terribly soft, allowing Tampa Bay to record just under 400 yards of total offense with a 45% conversion rate on third down. Josh Freeman would go on to pass for 280 yards, with rookie Mike Williams hauling in 99 yards and a game-tying touchdown.

I hate taking anything away from another team, but if there's a great example of how the Bengals lose a game, rather than another team beating them, it's this. Cincinnati turned the ball over three times (four times if you include the Bernard Scott fumble on the kickoff return at the end of the game) and committed nine penalties with most stalling offensive possessions. What's worse is that two of Palmer's interceptions would come with the Bengals holding onto a 21-14 lead with 2:28 left in the game. Two interceptions, 10 points later, the Bengals biggest meltdown of the year was completed. Oh, and the Reds lost later that night, eliminated from the playoffs.

Heading into the 2009 NFL Draft, the Bengals were in dire need of improving their personnel across the board. More importantly, after the departures of Levi Jones, Eric Ghiaciuc and Stacy Andrews, the Bengals desperately needed to address the offensive line. While they didn't necessarily draft in order of their prioritized need, they were benefactors of players like Rey Maualuga and Michael Johnson falling into their laps. In my opinion, this was the best overall draft to date during the Marvin Lewis' era. Let's quickly examine the year of the rookies by looking back at the Bengals draft class. 

ANDRE SMITH. Though much of his first offseason with the Cincinnati Bengals was spent doing drills in front of HBO cameras for Hard Knocks while negotiating a contract, Andre Smith spent the first ten games of the season on the bench mostly due to an injury he suffered during non-contact drills. The entire Bengals fan base slapped their heads in unison in what scientists called an unexplained regional phenomenon. Smith made his debut against the Cleveland Browns on November 29, was limited, playing the role of sixth offensive lineman during running downs. His playing time kept increasing as the season wore on, even starting against the Minnesota Vikings.

What's in store for the future: Smith showed he has the versatility and power in both the passing and rushing offense. While Paul Alexander refused to nominate him as next year's starting right tackle, expect Smith to have an inside track on the position. It's his to lose.

REY MAUALUGA. What can we say about Maualuga that hasn't been said so far? Easily the team's rookie of the year, Maualuga beat out Rashad Jeanty at strong-side linebacker during preseason and played the season's first 15 games before breaking his leg against the Chiefs. Against the Vikings, Maualuga recorded a career-high 11 tackles and forced a fumble during a punt that the Vikings would recover anyway. The rookie linebacker finished the season with 80 tackles, ranked fifth on the team, and led the team with three forced fumbles, a sack, and two passes defensed.

What's in store for the future: Several criticisms on Maualuga when the Bengals drafted him were mostly about his aggressiveness and bad pursuit angles. Those things did surface at times. Expect Maualuga to recover fully from his broken leg and return to the starting lineup as the team's strong-side linebacker.

MICHAEL JOHNSON. Pro Football Focus charted Johnson as having three quarterback sacks, an additional three quarterback hits, 11 quarterback pressures and six passes knocked down at the line of scrimmage -- one of which led to an interception against the Lions.

What's in store for the future: Of all of the rookies on this team, I can't shake that feeling that Johnson could have the most potential.

CHASE COFFMAN. For as encouraging as the first three picks were, tight end Chase Coffman was as disappointing. Admittedly, most of the disappointment stems from the expectations that Coffman put up record receiving numbers as a tight end in college and we just assumed it would automatically translate into the Pros. Problem was, he played like a wide receiver which stunted his growth into an NFL-style tight end. So the learning curve was steep and he struggled to jump guys like Daniel Coats and J.P. Foschi until he was placed on injured reserve in early December with bone spurs in his left ankle.

What's in store for the future: Hope is always in supply and another season gaining bulk and learning the position in the NFL will do him wonders. And it's not like the competition will be tough next year. Darius Hill and Clark Harris (who is only a long snapper) are the other tight ends under contract in 2010.

INTERESTING NOTE: The Bengals still have all 11 of their 2009 draft picks on this year's offseason roster.

JONATHAN LUIGS. When the Bengals drafted Luigs in the fourth round, there was a lot of uncertainty surrounding the team's center. Dan Santucci and Kyle Cook were the only players returning from 2008 and both players were hurt most of that season. In order to find the right player, the team needed competition. Luigs made the squad, but Cook won the starting job. The 2007 Rimington Award winner actually played in eight games in 2009, mostly all on special teams with some snaps at center during the blowout against Chicago.

What's in store for the future: This is actually a good scenario for the Bengals. While Luigs didn't work his way onto the field with the offense, the 315-pound lineman does have potential. Not only as the team's primary backup center, the team could work Luigs in as a left or right guard.

NOTE ABOUT FREE AGENT GUARDS : Nate Livings and Evan Mathis are exclusive-rights free agents while Bobbie Williams is an unrestricted free agent.

KEVIN HUBER. You want to talk about arriving on the scene with style? Kevin Huber tied a franchise record in his first NFL game, dropping his first five career punts inside the 20-yard line. Other than throwing a touchdown pass, curing incurable diseases and freeing all Jaffa in the universe, Huber's debut for a punter was perfect. Of course, we kind of over-reacted, headlining a post that reads "Kevin Huber is on pace to shatter the NFL single-season record for punts inside-the-20." We're nothing if we're not dramatic. Huber came 32 punts short of that record, but finished with a 43.2 yards-per-punt average, which ranked 21st in the NFL. Don't let that ranking fool you too much. Only once during this millennium has a punter for the Bengals averaged more.

What's in store for the future: Lots of potential, but started becoming inconsistent as the year wore on. Great talent and an ability to flip the field and change momentum with one kick.

MORGAN TRENT. First it was David Jones. Then it was Geoffrey Pope. Then it was Chris Crocker. Finally, after enough experimenting and scouting and judging, the Bengals were impressed enough with their first sixth round pick that Trent eased into his role as a nickel cornerback. Unfortunately, Trent is being remembered as the guy that allowed Zach Miller to score a touchdown, tying a game that the Bengals would eventually lose to the Oakland Raiders. However, his season was far better than that. Including a quarterback sack, Trent led the entire Bengals secondary with most quarterback pressures. He had four passes defensed and contributed to special teams with at least five tackles. One deflection was against Ben Roethlisberger that led to a Frostee Rucker interception.

What's in store for the future: Put in this perspective. You drafted a cornerback in the sixth round who very well could be a long-term contributor in the secondary as a nickel cornerback. They call that a good pick.

BERNARD SCOTT. During a two-game stretch between November 22 and November 29, Bernard Scott rushed for 206 yards on 39 carries -- including a 151 all-purpose performance against the Raiders. Scott finished the year with two starts, 13 games played rushing for 321 yards on 74 carries for a respectable 4.3 yard-per-rush average. Scott would eventually become the team's number one kick returner, taking a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown against the Steelers and winning the AFC Special Teams Player of the Week.

What's in store for the future: Scott has the ability to be an all-purpose back on offense and on special teams. With Cedric Benson entering the final year of his contract, one has to wonder if the Bengals should have Scott more active on the offense to evaluate if he can take the pounding if he's to take on a prominent role.

SEVENTH ROUND PICKS. Fui Vakapuna, Clinton McDonald and Freddie Brown were shutout this season, either playing on the team's practice squad, or simply not being activated from the 53-man roster on game day. Brown is supposedly a good kick returner and Clinton McDonald could help with the team's depth on the defensive front. Fui Vakapuna could compete against Jeremi Johnson as the team's fullback. However, Johnson is a free agent heading into 2010.

CONCLUDING. Most experts will tell you that it's necessary to wait three years before grading a draft class, or a player. The Bengals 2009 Draft is arguably Marvin Lewis' best draft to date, finding several starters and quality backup personnel. Not only that, but guys like Michael Johnson, Chase Coffman, Rey Maualuga and Bernard Scott have the potential of being play-makers as they develop.

Ah, another week in which Bengals fans (us) are granted an extension of a beautiful luxury having a win under our belts. Not just win, mind you. A division win. Do you know the impact of that? The Bengals are the only team in the division with a 2-0 record against the division.

The Bengals have allowed the least amount of points than any team in the division; Cincinnati's 76 points allowed is better than 11 AFC teams. You have to admit, that's like Rice Krispie treat covered in chocolate and peanut butter, or jamming out to an old school Guns N' Roses song where you actually think that you're as smooth and cool as Slash. As we noted earlier, the Bengals have started 3-1 only four times dating back to 1990; three times during the Marvin Lewis era, which includes this year's heart-stopping indigestion-filled (and in some cases, chain-smoking) season. So far we're a quarter of the way through the season and it's appropriate that we dive into quarterly reviews.

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Dave (Stripe Hype) and I had once planned on doing segments in which we'd banter on a collection of chosen topics picked by you, our minions readers. I found one dating back from July 2008. We called it Fact or Myth -- the creative juices were rolling, I tell you.

The first question posed was if Marvin Lewis was on the hot seat. Both of us said myth. Dave said, "Myth. I can only laugh when I see this. Oh, sure, if the Bengals have a season like 2002's he might be gone (though even then, I doubt it), but there's no 'playoffs-or-bust' situation in Cincinnati." Thankfully, they won two games more than 2002. I said, "I feel so strongly that Marvin Lewis is safe with his job, the Bengals could go 1-15 for the season and Lewis remains."

The second question. Will the Bengals defensive suffer after losing Justin Smith? We both said no. In fact we're better. But don't you wonder how good the defense would have been if we kept Smith? Yea, hasn't occurred to me either. The third question. Will T.J. Houshmandzadeh leave after the 2008 season? We both said yes. Dave said, "are they going to re-sign a 32-year-old wide receiver, who is rumored to want No. 1 money, if they have to throw big bucks elsewhere on the offense, too? I'm not seeing it, especially if Simpson and Caldwell pan out."

Now, the fourth question; the one in which we were asked, Fact or Myth, "the Bengals will go 8-8." I'll just post my response right here.

Josh: Myth. To be honest, I think the Bengals have a manageable schedule this season. Outside the rough AFC North, the Bengals biggest challenges are the Giants, Cowboys and Colts. We can add the Jaguars in there too. As long as the injury bug doesn't bite them (and I challenge anyone to tell me that's just an 'excuse') and the supposed returns of Rudi Johnson and Chris Perry are similar to 2005, I not only think the Bengals will be competitive, but they'll win. I've always been an optimistic fellow, so I'm saying the Bengals could win 10 at the most, but 9-7 is a very realistic forecast.

That gust of wind you felt was me whiffing, bad. Really bad.