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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.
"The only commitment we have is to win," Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said. "I don't care how we get it. Obviously, it feels good." The Elias Sports Bureau confirmed Chad Johnson — with 260 yards against San Diego and 190 more against the Saints — established an NFL record for receiving yards in back-to-back games with 450, breaking the old mark of 448 set by San Francisco's John Taylor in 1989. "He's Chad Johnson. He makes big plays. He gets in the end zone. He does something to get the crowd going. He's an entertainer," quarterback Carson Palmer said. "When he gets loose and gets an opportunity to make plays, he makes them." Rudi Johnson bulldozed for 111 yards on 27 carries, while Palmer threw for 275 yards and 3 TDs. And even though Saints quarterback Drew Brees torched the Bengals defense for 510 passing yards, three interceptions — by free safety Madieu Williams, strong safety Kevin Kaesviharn and cornerback Ethan Kilmer — were just as important as Cincinnati's offensive fireworks. Star of the game Chad Johnson had six receptions for 190 yards and three TDs, covering 41, 60 and 4 yards. "I'm trying to be as consistent as possible," he said, "and do all I can to make sure we come up out of this hole." Goat of the game Saints cornerback Fred Thomas turned into burnt toast trying to cover Chad Johnson. Turning point Kaesviharn's end zone interception at 0:13 of the second quarter, preserving the Bengals' 10-7 halftime lead. Quote of the day "It's huge for us. It had been frustrating. We know how good we are and to have the record we have — that's not our team. We needed this really bad, emotionally. Another loss would've been stupid, just like every other one. We're really glad for the victory." — Bengals middle linebacker Caleb Miller. Next game Who: Bengals (5-5) at Browns (3-7) When: 1 p.m. Sunday TV: CBS (WHIO Ch. 7) Radio: WONE-AM (980), WLW-AM (700), WTUE FM (104.7) Dayton Daily News http://www.daytondailynews.com/s/content/oh/story/sports/pro/bengals/2006/11/19/ddn112006bengals.html |
