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Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > October > 06 > Entry
Here’s why the Bengals stink
DALLAS’ 31-22 WIN WAS
UGLY, SCARY AND LUCKY;
BUT THE BENGALS (0-5)
GOT WHAT THEY DESERVED
10 BENGALS BLUNDERS
IN LOSS TO COWBOYS
1. Tight end Reggie Kelly whiffs on quarterback Carson Palmer’s first pass of the game and it’s intercepted by linebacker Greg Ellis at 14:46 of first quarter, leading to a field goal and 3-0 Dallas lead.
2. Cornerback Johnathan Joseph misses a tackle on Felix Jones’ 33-yard TD run around right end at 6:00 of the first quarter as the Cowboys take a 10-0 lead.
3. Kyle Larson’s 54-yard punt is downed at Cowboys’ 3-yard line, but Kyries Hebert is flagged for illegal touching and the referee rules a touchback at 3:09 of first quarter. The Cowboys answered with a 10-play, 80-yard drive that QB Tony Romo finished with a 4-yard TD pass to TE Jason Witten.
4. Tight end Ben Utecht’s 21-yard catch at Dallas’ 2-yard line at 8:19 of the second quarter is overturned by instant replay and ruled incomplete. Video evidence showed Utecht didn’t get right foot down. Shayne Graham kicked a 41-yard field goal.
5. A holding penalty on wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh nullified tailback Chris Perry’s 17-yard TD run at 1:02 of the second quarter. Graham kicked a 31-yard field goal as the Bengals trained at halftime, 17-6.
6. Chad Ocho Cinco’s false-start penalty pinned the Bengals at their 4-yard line at 5:14 of the third quarter. Kyle Larson’s 40-yard punt gave Dallas the ball at the Bengals’ 49.
7. Bengals rookie linebacker Keith Rivers intercepted Romo and raced 39 yards to the Cowboys’ 41, but Cincinnati squandered great field position and had to settle for Graham’s 40-yard field goal, pulling the Bengals within 17-16 with 14:02 to go.
8. After the Bengals recovered Graham’s onside kick, Cincinnati was driving for the go-ahead score when Perry fumbled at Dallas’ 37. Two plays later, Romo hooked up with Terrell Owens for a 57-yard TD and 24-16 Dallas lead at 11:46.
9. Palmer throws a 10-yard TD pass to Houshmandzadeh at 7:39, but the 2-point conversion attempt is a low-percentage fade pattern to tight end Ben Utecht in the deep left corner of the end zone. Ocho Cinco and Houshmandzadeh are split to the right, but get ignored.
10. With 1:52 remaining, Romo throws a left-side pass toward Miles Austin that tips off his hands. Bengals cornerback Jamar Fletcher is right there, but can’t deflect the ball that lands in the arms of Patrick Crayton for a 15-yard TD and 31-22 victory.
Permalink | Comments (15) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Brian
October 6, 2008 6:09 AM | Link to this
Relative to #9, who of the three actually worked with Carson during the off-season? As for #10, that play more than any other summed up the Mike Brown era.By Don In Ansonia
October 6, 2008 6:43 AM | Link to this
Chad Johnson’s saying he would kiss the Dallas Star after making a touchdown. Did it make his Dallas defenders more determined to cover him. Was Carson Palmer reluctant to throw to SAD CHAD due to the boast?By VietVet
October 6, 2008 6:50 AM | Link to this
As Alan Cutler says every week- It’s a tough day to be a Bengal’s fan.He’ll say that alot this year. So close yet so far. Palmer sounds like he’s had about enough saying they have a bad team. Benson should do the running- Perry should do the sittin’. Maybe Rudy Johnson was the wrong guy to get rid of. Maybe it should have been Perry, if he can be traded.Dallas didn’t play well either, perhaps making the Bengals look better than expected. If Chadly J. isn’t going to be in the mix, need to throw more to #83 and TJ.They seem willing to produce. Either get Chadly going or replace him with jailbird Henry.Perhaps Palmer is tired of Chadly’s mouth and won’t throw to him anymore. It’s a circus.By James A
October 6, 2008 8:02 AM | Link to this
Vietvet I disagree with you. How does Palmer sound like he has had enough? He said they “dont have a very good football team right now”. Where in that statement do you get he’s had enough? Its not a circus Chad says things just having fun. He does have a freedom of speech. Why is it the Bnegals cant get credit form you for playing half way decent against Dallas. In your eyes it was dallas mistakes, not our play. I doubt Plamer is tired of Chad’s mouth, he knows Chad. As for being lucky Chick, give them some credit, they arent as bad as the record. As Dallas coachesBy James A
October 6, 2008 8:02 AM | Link to this
Vietvet I disagree with you. How does Palmer sound like he has had enough? He said they “dont have a very good football team right now”. Where in that statement do you get he’s had enough? Its not a circus Chad says things just having fun. He does have a freedom of speech. Why is it the Bnegals cant get credit form you for playing half way decent against Dallas. In your eyes it was dallas mistakes, not our play. I doubt Plamer is tired of Chad’s mouth, he knows Chad. As for being lucky Chick, give them some credit, they arent as bad as the record. Ask Dallas coachesBy Chris Henry
October 6, 2008 9:59 AM | Link to this
Don’t we have anyone better than Utecht to go up and get that ball in the corner of the end zone? Someone who is tall, athletic and has great hands and body awareness. Someone to just put in and go get the ball despite the fact he hasn’t practiced. Don’t we have anybody like that?By We STINK
October 6, 2008 10:13 AM | Link to this
Yes we do, Chris Henry. His name is Jerome Simpson.By VietVet
October 6, 2008 10:19 AM | Link to this
James A- Palmer’s comment “not a very good football team right now” could be construed as a bad team. Semantics.I have seen Dallas play alot better than yesterday.I saw the Bengals play their best yesterday.Dallas had a mediocre day. The Bengals played their best so far this season. Still, Dallas found a way to win. That’s all I was trying to say.The look on Palmer’s face during the game was a look of frustration and despair.That comes close to “having enough” Again, it’s all in the manner one sees the same situation, isn’t it?Oh,and yes, the Bengals franchise has been a circus since Mike Brown took over.By Michael
October 6, 2008 11:02 AM | Link to this
Hi Chuck. As a long, long, long suffering Bengal fan, I’ve decided to finally renounce my fan loyalty and mail everything Bengal in my household to Mike Brown. Rather than stay silent, I want to follow the MikeBrownSucks.com path and voice my disapproval of what was once a credible franchise. I feel for all Bengal fans living in Cincinnati, especially children, who have basically never known a winning team. I was born in Cincinnati (who else would root for them) and at least I experienced a competitive team in the 70’s and 80’s. Thanks! MichaelBy Derrick
October 6, 2008 11:36 AM | Link to this
On any other NFL team, Chris Perry would be benched for fumbling five times in five games , but not in Cincinnati.By Harold
October 6, 2008 12:05 PM | Link to this
Chuck: Why are you not askingthe reevant questions? Like how is it tha their 2nd, 2 3rds, 4th and 5th round picks cant get into a game and most are not even activated? Or shouldn’t Lewis do the honorable thing and quit?By David V.
October 6, 2008 1:12 PM | Link to this
Ah…0-5…”but they’re getting better!”…this is the NFL, not the local Recreational Soccer league… although the Beagles would have difficulty beating the other two pro teams in Cincinnati-Colerain and St. X…the Titans are 5-0…i think i’ll head over to their home page to find out how they did it…oh, yeah…solid defense and a willingness to DO WHAT IT TAKES to win a freaking football game (holding onto the football, for one).By Merry Lewis
October 6, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
Hey at least we’re the best 0-5 team in nfl history. That counts for something right? doesnt it?By Merry Lewis
October 6, 2008 2:29 PM | Link to this
Hey at least we’re the best 0-5 team in nfl history. That counts for something right? doesnt it?By john
October 6, 2008 3:33 PM | Link to this
At what point in time do you say this is not working? I thought Marvin was quoted as saying something like “the Bengals would be in three out of the next five Super Bowls” when he signed Chad to a mulit-year contract. Does he remember that statement? Something has to change or quit predicting the impossible. If we could forget about playoffs, then perhaps we could be better entertained by these bengals, and just have fun.