With 12:49 left in the second quarter, following an offensive holding on Carolina's kickoff return following Cedric Benson's one-yard touchdown run, Cam Newton drops back with three wide, looks right and literally skips a pass to his left intended for Steve Smith. I know what you're thinking. It's got to be the lack of tattoos. Carolina would eventually pick up the first down on third-and-five from Carolina's 16- yard line. Newton, in shotgun with three-wide to the right, finds Legedu Naanee crossing the middle with Thomas Howard covering for the six-yard gain and the first down.
That would be the end of their first down accomplishments.
Frostee Rucker prevents Jonathan Stewart from taking advantage of the backside for a no-gain on first down. Newton takes the snap from under center, delays the handoff to Stewart with Rey Maualuga impacting, with a little help from Reggie Nelson, for a limited gain (and by limited gain, we mean a one-yard loss).
Third-and-11 from Carolina's 22-yard with 10:35 left in the second quarter, Cam Newton feels pressure and scrambles. Looking, looking, looking and the Bengals secondary holds their coverage. Eventually Newton attempts to find Steve Smith, with Geno Atkins pressuring the quarterback and Reggie Nelson knocking down the overthrown pass incomplete. Cincinnati's offense takes the field at their own 37-yard line.