Alright Bengals fans, here are my three Bengals related thoughts following week one, first and foremost; if I continue to be a Bengals fan, I’m going to be impotent, bald and homeless by week five. Secondly, my friend Mel came up to me Sunday morning before the game and said “John, stop worrying, there is no way the Bengals can lose, ESPN says that no team has ever won their opening game with a rookie head coach and a rookie quarterback starting at the same time, so Baltimore can’t win.” On a side note, Mel’s goal in life is to tell me a statistic that I’ve never heard before, even if it’s as stupid as the one above. Anyway, I called my bookie 30 seconds later, because if I’ve learned one thing in life, it’s that if ESPN, Vegas and Mel all think the Bengals are going to win, not only are they not going to win, but they’re going to lose so embarrassingly bad that I’ll have to take some sort of Advil, valium, heroin combination after the game.
Bengals continue to learn harsh lessons in loss to Atlanta
Written by Chick Ludwig
Carson Palmer throws for two touchdowns, but the defense surrenders big plays to new Falcons QB Joey Harrington.
Here's what the Bengals discovered at the Georgia Dome on Monday night:
Their No. 1 offense knows how to score — touchdowns. And their No. 1 defense continues to give up explosive plays.
Despite two Carson Palmer TD passes, the Bengals dropped a 24-19 decision to the Falcons in front of an announced crowd of 65,525. The building featured thousands of empty seats — a sign that apathetic fans aren't thrilled about a season without suspended quarterback Michael Vick. The Bengals' starting offense has accounted for five scores — three field goals and two touchdowns — in 13 possessions. But there's a bigger problem to worry about than offensive and defensive consistency.
Cincinnati is suddenly in the market for a kicker because Shayne Graham exited with a right hip pointer in the second quarter and didn't return. The injury forces the Bengals to sign a kicker for Friday's preseason finale against Indianapolis.
Palmer's TD passes came in the second quarter — 8 yarders to wide receiver Chad Johnson and rookie tight end Daniel Coats — but Graham's absence led to two failed 2-point conversions. Palmer was 15-of-22 passing for 136 yards and a 115.0 passer rating, while his counterpart — Joey Harrington — resembled Joe Montana and Joe Namath as he completed 13 of 21 passes for 164 yards, two touchdowns and a 118.0 rating.
The first half was a tug of war with Atlanta holding onto a 14-13 lead. The Falcons struck first when Harrington floated a 28-yard TD pass to Adam Jennings down the right sideline. Cornerback Deltha O'Neal, thinking he had solid safety coverage, allowed Jennings to release past him. But safety Chinedum Ndukwe couldn't recover in time, and Harrington's pass was on the money.
The Bengals answered with a 17-play, 83-yard drive that culminated with Palmer's pass to Johnson — the starters' first touchdown in nine preseason possessions. Falcons cornerback DeAngelo Hall had the words, "I own 85," shaved in his hair. But Johnson had five catches for 83 yards with a long gain of 31, and burned Hall on a slant in the end zone. Allen Rossum's 59-yard kickoff return set up Harrington's 12-yard TD pass to Jerious Norwood for a 14-7 Falcons' lead, but Palmer and Johnson hooked up on a 31-yard play that led to Coats' 8-yard TD.
Bengals safety Dexter Jackson suffered a blow to the head trying to tackle tight end Alge Crumpler in the first quarter and didn't return. Defensive tackle John Thornton had two sacks and wide receiver Chris Henry caught a 58-yard TD pass from Doug Johnson.
Updated: 3:30 p.m.
E. RUTHERFORD, N.J. - Safety Marvin White gave the Bengals a lift early in third quarter when he made a leaping interception inside the Bengals 5 for his first career pick coming on Jets quarterback Brett Favre's NFL record 293rd...
Updated: 6:20 p.m.
E. RUTHERFORD, N.J. - The Bengals defense got no help from its offense and special teams Sunday in Cincinnati's matchup with Hall of Famer Brett Favre as the Jets took a 26-14 win here at The Meadowlands.
Twice in the second...
Updated: 12:20 p.m.
As Shayne Graham recovers from a sore groin, the Bengals opted to sign a kickoff man for Sunday's 1 p.m. game against the Jets in The Meadowlands when they inked four-year veteran Dave Rayner and released fullback Reagan...
This is THE podcast for all Cincinnati Bengals fans.Twice a week, legendary Cincinnati sportscaster, Ken Broo, is joined by the editors, writers and publisher of the popular bi-weekly publication, Bengals ReportIn this up to the minute podcast, the discussion is all Bengals featuring interviews with your favorite Bengals players.Get the inside scoop on the Bengals and their upcoming games by placing Bengals Report on your list of favorites!
In this episode, Ken Broo and Bengals Report executive editor, Mark Hardin, preview the upcoming Bengals vs Jets game in the Meadowlands. You'll hear comments from Bengals head coach, Marvin Lewis, as well as quarterback, Carson Palmer. For the best in sports, visit Ken Broo's web site www.kenbroo.com.
In this episode, Ken Broo and Bengals Report executive editor, Mark Hardin review the Bengals loss to the Cowboys in week #5 of the NFL season. You'll hear comments from wide receiver TJ Houshmandzadeh, as well has head coach, Marvin Lewis. For the best in sports, visit Ken Broo's web site www.kenbroo.com
In this episode, Ken Broo and Bengals Report executive editor, Mark Hardin review the Bengals loss to the Browns and look ahead to week #5 in the 2008 season as the Bengals travel to Dallas to play the Cowboys. You'll hear comments from Bengals DL Antwan Odom, RB Cedric Benson and WR Chris Henry. For the best in sports, visit Ken Broo's web site www.kenbroo.com
