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GREEN BAY, Wis. — The Cincinnati Bengals eagerly await the quarterback-tight end connection — Carson Palmer to Ben Utecht.
A sneak preview came on Monday night, Aug. 11, when the two hooked up for a touchdown in the Bengals' 20-17 victory over the Green Bay Packers in front of 69,675 spectators at Lambeau Field.
The nationally-televised preseason opener was a battle in which Green Bay built a 10-0 lead only to have Cincinnati erupt for 20 straight points.
Dexter Jackson and Corey Mays grabbed interceptions; Jackson, Robert Geathers and Kyries Hebert generated sacks; and rookie linebacker Keith Rivers led the Bengals with seven tackles — all solos.
"We did some good things as the half went along," Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis said. "Defensively, we got a couple of turnovers. We won that battle, and that's always key. But we have to tackle better. Our tackling really left something to be desired.
"Offensively, we got off to a slow start but we picked up the pace. I was disappointed in the way we kicked off and punted the ball. We can do a lot better than that. Our guys have had a great camp, but we weren't putting the ball where we want it."
The Packers scored first on Mason Crosby's 37-yard field goal, then kept the momentum on Aaron Rodgers' 30-yard TD pass to James Jones, who reached the end zone minus his helmet.
Jones, flanked to the right, beat cornerback Deltha O'Neal on a square-in. Free safety Marvin White hit Jones so hard that Jones' helmet popped off, but he kept his balance and dashed into the end zone for a 10-0 Packers' lead.
The wild play seemed to shake up and wake up the Bengals, whose first-quarter offense was ugly.
After three straight "three-and-out" series, tailback Chris Perry delivered the team's' first first down on a 14-yard run at 14:48 of the second quarter.
Palmer finished the 9-play, 80-yard drive with a 14-yard TD pass to Utecht, pulling the Bengals within 10-7 at 11:02.
Mays picked off Brian Brohm's first pass, giving Cincinnati a first down at the Packers' 25. Five plays later, Perry rumbled into the end zone from 6 yards out for the go-ahead score, 14-10, at 8:50.
Ryan Fitzpatrick's 8-yard scramble put Shayne Graham in position for a 43-yard field goal at 0:52, good for a 17-10 halftime lead.
Comments
By islebfrank
August 13, 2008 12:48 PM | Link to this
On defense, I was very disappointed with the tackling, with guys still not wrapping up the ball carrier. David Jones didn’t look like the guy I’ve been reading about in the media. He reminded me of another Jones from the past, Rod “Toast” Jones, who was fast enough to keep up with receivers, but never turned around to play the ball. Hopefully, a lot of that has to do with it being the 1st pre-season game and he will improve with reps. I was also disappointed in what James Johnson did/didn’t do.
By Harold
August 12, 2008 4:31 PM | Link to this
If you find yourself watching more than one preseason game, you need serious help.
By BRAD
August 12, 2008 4:00 PM | Link to this
‘SPLAIN THIS TO ME please - OUR BEGNALS NEED A BLOCKING FULLBACK - WE DO NOTHING YET THE RAVENS JUST sign LORENZO NEAL TO PLAY that POSITION FOR THEM!?!HUH? WHAT GIVES BENGALS?
By bjewel3
August 12, 2008 11:49 AM | Link to this
I think the Bengals 1st-teamers looked a step behind the Packers. Tackling, passing, and just execution in general.
I was embarrassed for them. It was a pathetic showing for a team that hopes to compete for a play-off spot.
And, b/c of the NFL Network showing all the pre-season games, I have a sense that I’m absolutely correct in my assessment not just being hyperbolic & obsessive about the home team.
I’ve watched other teams and you can get a sense of who’s going to make it