The Cincinnati Bengals inched closer to an AFC North title and secured just their second winning season in 18 years as they defeated the Detroit Lions 23-13 on Sunday at Paul Brown Stadium. The win, coupled with the Pittsburgh Steelers being upset by the Oakland Raiders, puts the Bengals in the firm driver’s seat in the AFC North.

THE GOOD
Cedric Benson – The team’s leading rusher showed no signs of being bothered by the hip injury that cost him two games. He picked up 110 yards on his way to his fifth 100-yard rushing day of the season.  Still, why in the world did he get 36 carries? Isn’t that why the Bengals picked up Larry Johnson (2 carries for 4 yards). I am all for Ced being the man in the offense, but why give the franchise back the pounding when he doesn’t need to take it?

Chad Ochocinco – Despite the Bengals running the ball 44 times, Ochocinco still managed to pull nine catches for a season-high 137 yards and a touchdown.  I thought his post-game celebration was tasteless and uncalled for, but it’s hard to knock his effort on the field.

Michael Johnson – The box score doesn’t do the rookie defensive end justice. He continues to impress me and is so fun to watch.  His deflection led to Jonathan Fanene’s interception for touchdown and he also had a sack while wreaking havoc all day in his limited action.

THE BAD
Carson Palmer – Palmer continues to look uncomfortable in the team’s play-action approach. For the second straight week he put up subpar numbers against one of the league’s worst passing defenses.  He has now gone 16 games without a 300-yard effort, throwing for just 220 yards and one touchdown on 17 of 29 passing.  Throw in two interceptions and a fumble and the day gets even worse.

Kickoffs – I have seen high school kids do better on kickoffs than Shayne Graham. He had kicks reach only the 14, 15, and 11-yard line.  That kind of field position will prove costly against playoff-caliber teams.

THE UGLY
Red Zone Efficiency – At one point this season the Bengals were owned one of the league’s best touchdown conversion rates in the red zone. That was not the case today and it has not been the case in recent weeks. The team only got the ball inside the Lions’ 20 twice and failed to put into the red zone either time. In their last 13 trips to the red zone the Bengals have mustered just three trips to the end zone.

QUOTE TO NOTE
“When you’re a ‘run first’ team, that’s your mentality. It’s a little hard to get in sync when you’re used to throwing the ball all of the time, but we still need to execute in the passing game.” – Carson Palmer on the team’s new run-first approach.

NFL cincinnati bengals, cedric benson, chad ochocinco, michael johnson, carson palmer