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Gameday and Open Thread: Rams AT Bengals (Game #13)

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

Bengals win 19-10.

Notes:

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

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

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

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

Starters: (not official)

(D, Doubtful... Q, Questionable)

POS. Projected
QB Palmer
RB R.Johnson
FB J.Johnson
WR C. Johnson
WR Houshmandzadeh
TE Kelly
LT Jones
LG Whitworth
C Ghiaciuc
RG Williams
RT Andrews
   
POS D
LE Geathers
DT Thornton
DT Peko
RE Smith
WB D.Jones
MB L.Johnson
SB R.Jeanty
SS Jackson
FS Williams
CB Joseph
CB Hall