If you wished for a Bengals loss for Christmas to get a better draft pick, then you’re in luck! The Bengals fell to the Texans in Houston in a game that featured two poor offenses, who looked to be competing for the title of season’s worst offensive performance. But, the Texans won the game — not that title — and clinched the AFC South. Houston looks far from being a playoff team to me, but, such is life in the AFC this season.
The Bengals’ offense was unable to accomplish much at all. The offensive line, which featured a lineup of Cedric Ogbuehi at left tackle, Andrew Whitworth at left guard, Russell Bodine at center, Kevin Zeitler at right guard and Jake Fisher at right tackle, allowed Dalton to be sacked three times. Two could be faulted to Ogbuehi with the third being Fisher’s fault.
The reactions to the Bengals’ loss were mixed. Some people were happy that the team is now bettering their draft positioning. Many people were disappointed by such a dismal performance. Some people didn’t know what to think.
Here are the social media reactions and commentary following the Bengals’ ninth loss of the season.
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— Kelly Boling (@kelly_boling) December 25, 2016
Talk about a wild game of chess huh…
— Giovani Bernard (@G_Bernard25) December 25, 2016
I'm looking at The @Bengals OLINE and wondering could this be next year's starting Unit? Their looking solid. 2 young Tackles #Whodey
— Willie Anderson (@BigWillie7179) December 25, 2016
If Ced &the @Bengals let me I can train him to where he'll never get Bull rushed again. Y'all may disagree but he's talented &can be saved
— Willie Anderson (@BigWillie7179) December 25, 2016
@WarrenSapp may be the best pass rushing DT in history. I wonder why @GenoSacks is not being talked about in that matter? #bengals #whodey
— Willie Anderson (@BigWillie7179) December 25, 2016
Watching Bengals vs Texans... pic.twitter.com/F9Z1I0564A
— Jason Marcum (@marcum89) December 25, 2016
Former #Texans draft pick Randy Bullock had his chance "it was what I wanted. Unfortunately it didn't happen. Incredibly disappointing
— Brad Steinke (@bradsteinke) December 25, 2016
That damn Burkhead is just a football player. We have to keep him from New England. They always have guys like him killing people. #Bengals
— Willie Anderson (@BigWillie7179) December 25, 2016
Bengals lead the Texans at halftime. pic.twitter.com/AHrhsZF5bP
— SB Nation (@SBNation) December 25, 2016
The Bengals defense missed zero tackles in the first half. #CINvsHOU
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) December 25, 2016
Yep. For the 100th time need Whit back next year.
— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) December 25, 2016
This is the worst preseason game I've ever watched.
— Mo Egger (@MoEgger1530) December 25, 2016
CIN/HOU game is setting NFL offenses back 20yrs... no wait 30yrs... actually I don't know what offenses looked like in 50s, but maybe this!
— Kurt Warner (@kurt13warner) December 25, 2016
Wonder if the Bengals offense would look better with Gio Bernard, AJ Green, Tyler Eifert, Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu and/or Hue Jackson...
— Mike Clay (@MikeClayNFL) December 25, 2016
Mike Nugent flips off the TV, pours himself a bourbon, and chuckles.
— Mo Egger (@MoEgger1530) December 25, 2016
Mike Nugent after that Randy Bullock miss #Bengals: pic.twitter.com/TSNWsKxCc9
— Jed DeMuesy (@Local12Jed) December 25, 2016
Marv: disappointing to get in position to win it and not do it.
— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) December 25, 2016
Andy Dalton: 1-7 in his career vs the Texans and Cowboys
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 25, 2016
Secret Texans Operative Randy Bullock seals a playoff berth for Houston
— Rodger Sherman (@rodger_sherman) December 25, 2016
Let's allow it to sink in that this Houston team is going to the playoffs... we are going home... look at the talent on these teams
— Tony Pike (@TPike16) December 25, 2016
a missed FG by Randy bullock and the Texans are going to the playoffs with a 12-10 win over the Bengals
— Elise Jesse (@Elise_JesseWLWT) December 25, 2016
Mixed feelings about that L. I'm okay with fat randy missing that long term
— Braden Whited (@BradenWhited) December 25, 2016
2017: DRAFT A KICKER
— Mark Slaughter (@MarkVSlaughter) December 25, 2016
So fitting.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 25, 2016
Say what you want….But they are going to win on road with no Green, Eifert, Burfict and facing a team with chance to clinch playoff spot.
— Lance McAlister (@LanceMcAlister) December 25, 2016
Marv: defense played well but have to defend a fourth qtr lead
— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) December 25, 2016
Marv: on AJ... The doctors thought it was best to keep him out.
— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) December 25, 2016
he asked to go home and Marv let him go home
— Geoff Hobson (@GeoffHobsonCin) December 25, 2016
Wide right....we have seen this before #Bengals
— Scott Bantel (@ScottBantel) December 25, 2016
Texans win the AFC South!
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 25, 2016
Bengals' missed FG in the final seconds gives Texans the win and the division title for the 2nd straight year. pic.twitter.com/VuxJEiu8LA
Trying to kick when @Margus_Hunt is on the block team. ♂️ #SMU2NFL pic.twitter.com/WmyeDfNEqr
— #PonyUpTempo (@SMU_Football) December 25, 2016
Bengals final HB snap count: Rex Burkhead 49, Jeremy Hill 13, Cedric Peerman 1
— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) December 25, 2016
Andy Dalton on passes 10 yards in the air or more tonight: 1 for 8, 21 yards.
— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) December 25, 2016
Bill O'Brien hasn't celebrated like that since he escaped Penn State. #TNF
— 34inXXIII (@34inXXIII) December 25, 2016
Both Geno Atkins and Carlos Dunlap had 1 sack and 4 hurries each
— Nathan Jahnke (@PFF_NateJahnke) December 25, 2016
You realize they only scored 10 points? There isn't an offensive player that won't receive blame. https://t.co/cxffUiDPLC
— Joe Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) December 25, 2016
this team's cumulative ineptitude has been brought to light and really that's a christmas miracle
— John Sheeran (@john__sheeran) December 25, 2016
Never should have cut Nuge. #Bengals
— Rick Ucchino (@Rick700WLW) December 25, 2016
Last time the Bengals drafted a kicker..... 2002, round 4, Travis Dorsch. Something tells me that's changing this year
— Tim Daniel (@TimDaniel24) December 25, 2016
AFC playoffs shaping up as a raging clown show.
— Marc Sessler (@MarcSesslerNFL) December 25, 2016
HORRAY!!!! That was the best think that could happen to the #Bengals keep the 9th pick.
— Codiki (@codiki) December 25, 2016
Oh and cough cough call @ross_martin1
Clowney said having JJ Watt on the sideline the last 2 games. Doctors approved for the first time Watt standing for 3 or 4 hours.
— John McClain (@McClain_on_NFL) December 25, 2016
A.J. Bouye on his game 'I just wanted to play good. I didn't want to let anybody down'
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) December 25, 2016
Its true again. pic.twitter.com/aVYzXIhwHP
— Bengals-Talk.com (@BengalsTalk) December 25, 2016
Top-graded @Bengals tonight
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) December 25, 2016
DI Geno Atkins 84.8
S George Iloka 84.6
ED Carlos Dunlap 84
LB Karlos Dansby 83
LB Vincent Rey 79.6#CINvsHOU pic.twitter.com/iqHLt91KaK