The Bengals’ defensive backs were praised for their ball skills and ability to create turnovers in Cincinnati’s run to the 2005 AFC North title, but they are having a tougher time this season. CBs Deltha O’Neal and Tory James, who combined for 15 interceptions a season ago, haven’t played nearly as well. James is especially having a tough season, and he is expected to be allowed to leave in unrestricted free agency in the offseason. O’Neal, who intercepted an NFL-high 10 passes in 2005, has intercepted only one so far this season, and he has failed to meet the high standard he set during Cincinnati’s run to the division title. O’Neal missed Week 11 with a shoulder injury, which allowed rookie Johnathan Joseph to enter the lineup.
It's not a brutal stretch like games against Hamilton, Calgary, Montreal, Winnipeg, British Columbia and Saskatchewan.
But the Bengals do have a challenging six-game schedule in a bid to return to the playoffs.
"It was pretty much the playoffs after Week 8 in Edmonton," joked Bengals linebacker Rashad Jeanty, a three-year veteran of the Canadian Football League's Eskimos. "It's kind of a challenge right now, but we're looking forward to it."
As an accomplished defensive coordinator, Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis is well aware of this football truism:
"Yards are going to lead to points eventually," Lewis said Monday. "You don't want them to control field position that way."
Creating four turnovers masked some defensive deficiencies during Sunday's 31-16 victory in New Orleans. The 5-5 Bengals have fallen to 32nd — dead last — in the NFL's rankings of yards allowed and passing yards allowed. Cincinnati is ranked 21st against the run.
New Orleans, LA (Sports Network) - Chad Johnson's six receptions for 190 yards and three touchdowns led the Cincinnati Bengals to a 31-16 win over the New Orleans Saints at the Superdome.
Carson Palmer completed 14-of-22 passes for 275 yards, three touchdowns and one pick. Rudi Johnson rumbled for 111 yards on 27 carries for the Bengals (5-5), who broke a three-game losing streak in impressive fashion.
Drew Brees set a Saints single-game passing record by throwing for 510 yards on 37-of-52 completions and two touchdowns, but also threw three costly interceptions.
Bengals pull their act together Reverting to 2005 form helps them end three-game skid
The Bengals revived their 2005 formula just in time to save, at least for now, their 2006 season.
The Bengals won the AFC North last year thanks to a combination of explosive passing, rugged running, opportunistic defense and sound special teams. One or more of those ingredients had been missing in almost every game this season until the 31-16 victory over the New Orleans Saints yesterday in the Superdome.
Chad, Carson torch Saints Johnson goes for 190 yards, three TDs as Bengals snap three-game skid.
Now that was more like it for the Cincinnati Bengals. They'll take Sunday's 31-16 victory over the NFC South-leading New Orleans Saints, savor it and not apologize for it.
They'll take wide receiver Chad Johnson's record-setting performance, tailback Rudi Johnson's superior effort behind a makeshift line, and four turnovers from the defense. All those factors helped end a three-game losing streak.
Debut at cornerback special for Bengals' Kilmer The rookie intercepted a Drew Brees pass and returned it 52 yards for a touchdown.
Bengals coach Marvin Lewis calls Ethan Kilmer "Three Way" — after the popular Cincinnati-style chili — because he plays safety, wide receiver and special teams.
Change the moniker to "Four Way" because Kilmer added cornerback to his repertoire on Sunday.
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KEY MATCHUPS SEPTEMBER 7, 2008
Back to Bengals Gameday
The Bengals.com roundtable convenes after a harried offseason, where it picked up another one along the way and where ...
Updated: 2:45 p.m.
That No. 58 Keith Rivers Bengals jersey is now a collector's item.
He finally got his number with Friday's uniform switch from 58 to 55. Although it took four months after the NFL Draft and one week after No. 55 Ahmad Brooks was...
Updated: 9:30 p.m.
Robert Geathers doubts Willie Anderson is going to play right tackle this week for the Ravens, but if he does Geathers says it will be "cool" to go against a guy that has helped him with his game.
Anderson was on the practice field ...
