Injuries, suspensions, sloppy play on offense, defense, special teams lead to downfall.

As the losses mount for the Cincinnati Bengals, reality is setting in.  They will be watching the NFL playoffs on their flat-screen televisions at home in January — for the 16th time in 17 years.  "It's not rocket science to figure it out," wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh said. "It doesn't look good for us."

The domino effect is in full throttle for the 3-7 Bengals, whose season-opening victory over Baltimore was just a mirage. Sloppy play on offense, defense and special teams — coupled with injuries and suspensions — have triggered the club's downfall.  The Bengals have rushed for more than 100 yards just twice this season. Quarterback Carson Palmer has thrown more interceptions (14) than all of 2006 (13). And the club ranks 30th in defense and 31st in points allowed.

Now that the team's inflated self-image has been battered, maybe it's time the players stop insisting they're better than the teams that beat them.  "Guys have been built up to think they were up to this level of player," head coach Marvin Lewis said about their high expectations. "Well, they're finding out that maybe you're not. Maybe you need to get back to work and figure out a way to get it done, and rely on the rest of the football team to help you.

"You go do your part. Don't look any further than the end of your nose about what you have to do to fix it."

Dayton Daily News

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