Cincinnati Bengals Use Same Formula, Get Same Result

Anyone who reads this blog knows that I am as big a fan of the Cincinnati Bengals as you will ever find.  If drinking orange and black Kool-Aid is hazardous to your health, somebody better call the squad.  Despite my passionate and sometimes twisted fandom, one thing will always remain true.  Family trumps football.

We decided that Sunday would be the best day to cut down and decorate our Christmas tree.  The tree farm opened at 11:00 a.m., so that was not going to be a problem. However, Chis Kringle and the Mrs. would not be there until 1:30 p.m.

Problem.

I set the DVR to record the game and made a vow not to listen to the radio or check my phone for updates.  My family, who usually dresses in full Bengals garb on Sundays, wore nothing orange or black.  We decided to go undercover—fearing that someone may mention something about the game if they knew we liked the Bengals.

Could this covert operation succeed?  Yes!

We watched the game as we decorated our Christmas tree and saw the Bengals defeat the Detroit Lions 23-13, securing just their second winning record in 19 years.

After a sluggish start, the Bengals scored 17 unanswered points in the second quarter to take a 17-7 lead into the locker room at halftime.  Not surprisingly, it was the defense that got the rally started.  Michael Johnson tipped a Matthew Stafford pass and it fell into the arms of Jonathan Fanene.  Fanene took it 45 yards for a touchdown.

Carson Palmer hooked up with Chad Ochocinco for a 36-yard touchdown pass.  It was a big day for Ochocinco as he finished with a season-high 137 yards.

Cedric Benson didn't show any signs of the hip flexor injury that caused him to miss two weeks.  He carried the ball 36 times for 110 yards.

It was another case of "been there, done that" as the Bengals pounded the ball and played good defense.  It wasn't flashy, but a win is a win.

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