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The set up was perfect.
The Cincinnati Bengals had been trailing all game long against the San Diego Chargers in a sunny Qualcomm. They looked deflated after the horrific tragedy that occurred Wednesday.
But with Chris Henry on the minds of everyone in stripes, the comeback began.
It all started with a outstanding bobbled one-handed interception by linebacker Keith Rivers with the Chargers up 24-13 and chalk full of confidence.
Carson Palmer found Laveranues Coles in the end zone a few plays later. After a courageous two-point conversion run by Palmer, the score stood at 24-21.
After punts by both teams the Bengals were backed up to their own three yard line with around six minutes to go. Palmer methodically drove the team down field with slants up the middle to JP Foschi and Andre Caldwell.
Quan Cosby, the punt returner, who made the first catch of his career earlier in the game, caught a huge third down bullet from Palmer.
Sitting at the 30-yard line of San Diego, it began to feel like one of those "cardiac cat" drives that the Bengals did on a weekly basis early in the season. The clock was under two minutes and the Bengals were making all the right plays.
But then a hard hit by safety Eric Weddle on Andre Caldwell knocked the ball back 20 yards and was recovered by a diving Palmer back at the 45 yard line.
The Bengals were able to get back in field goal range but couldn't pick up the 36 yards needed for a first down. Shayne Graham drilled a game tying 34 yard field goal with 54 seconds left and overtime looked eminent.
But the Bengals prevent D prevented that from happening.
Phillip Rivers was able to get his team in field goal range with no timeouts and Nate Kaeding easily booted a 52-yarder with three seconds to go.
27-24, game over.
A few things must be remembered about this devastating loss:
Carson Palmer showed the doubters that he is perfectly fine going 27 of 40 for 314, with two TD's and one INT. He showed how much he wanted to win the game with the run for the two-point conversion, the dive to save the Caldwell fumble, and the terrific block he executed on a Ocho Cinco reverse. He lead his team by example and his teammates needed to take note.
Chad's performance was typical for him (three receptions for 79 yards and a TD), but the emotions he battled through and the focus he showed must be applauded. He was wearing a heavy heart and came through with an inspired performance. The 49-yard bomb for a TD was a thing of beauty and a refreshing sight for fans.
Keith Rivers had his best game as a Bengal. He only had three tackles, but one was for a loss and he had a INT, sack, pass deflection, and a QB hit. He played well in coverage and took away the gaps in run coverage.
Rey Maualuga, on the other hand, had one of his worst games. He over ran the QB and running back numerous times, he was shaky in pass coverage and missed a few tackles. He certainly played like a rookie.
While cornerback Leon Hall has been outstanding this year, he got lit up by the Chargers Vincent Jackson. Hall was beat on two long TD throws to Jackson and played too far off him in coverage.
Cedric Benson didn't look very good (53 yards on 15 carries), but Larry Johnson (35 yards on four carries) looked explosive. Marvin Lewis needed to give LJ more touches as the game went along.
Penalties once again were a problem. The in-excusable sequence of three penalties and a timeout without even snapping the ball is insane for a NFL team. Nine penalties for 55 yards is not going to get it done against a team like the Chargers. They must clean-up the false starts and delay of game penalties or the Bengals are going no where.
Next up is a sorry Chiefs team that has nothing to play for. A win and the Bengals are in the play-offs. The chance of a two seed is history but the performance on Sunday leaves hope for the rest of this season.
A Bengals team that can have a key players return injury (Domato Peko, Chris Crocker, Bernard Scott) could certainly beat San Diego the second time around. This team has a lot of fight left in the tank and I think the best is yet to come.
The Bengals still haven't peaked in '09, but Sunday was a step in that direction.
Cincinnati Bengals: Like this team?
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