Cincinnati Bengals: Week 13 Report Card

A win is a win.  That seems to be the recurring theme with the 2009 Cincinnati Bengals.  

You know what?  I will take it.  

As a life-long fan who has suffered through many miserable football seasons, I am just happy to see my team winning games.  The 23-13 victory over the Lions on Sunday followed the same modus operandi that has firmly entrenched the Bengals atop the AFC North.

Offense

The offense got off to another sluggish start.  Carson Palmer threw two interceptions in a game for the first time since Week Two at Green Bay.  

Palmer did connect with Chad Ochocinco on a 36-yard touchdown pass, the longest pass play of the year.  Ochocinco had a big day, catching nine balls for 137 yards.  

Cedric Benson showed no signs of the hip flexor injury that caused him to miss two games.  He carried the ball 36 times for 110 yards.  

Grade: C

Defense

The Bengals' first touchdown was scored when a Matthew Stafford pass was tipped by Michael Johnson.  The ball fell into the arms of Jonathan Fanene, who took it 45 yards for the score.  

Stafford did hook up with Calvin Johnson six times for 123 yards, including a 54-yard touchdown pass in the first quarter.  The Bengals sacked Stafford three times, one each by Johnson, Dhani Jones and Robert Geathers.

Grade: B

Special Teams

No news is usually good news.  Shayne Graham kicked three field goals.  Quan Cosby had a nice day returning kicks and punts.  

Grade: A

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