Cincinnati Bengals' Inability To Score in Second Half Is a Familiar Trend

Dan ParzychDec 16, 2009

Sunday's 30-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings prevented the Cincinnati Bengals from clinching the AFC North and hosting at least one home playoff game at Paul Brown Stadium. However, waiting at least one more week for a second chance to clinch the division, is the least of their concerns with three weeks left in the regular season.

The Bengals' loss to the Vikings marked the sixth-straight game they failed to find the end zone in the second half. The last time Cincinnati scored a touchdown in the second half, was week seven against the Chicago Bears when running back Cedric Benson found the end zone on a one-yard run.

At the beginning of the season, the Bengals appeared to be over their inability to put up points in the second half after their struggles to do so last season. They even earned the nickname "Cardiac Cats" after three-straight wins against the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns, and Baltimore Ravens coming from behind to score on their final drive of the game.

Last season, the Bengals offense struggled behind quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick as they were shut out in the second half six times during the regular season. In 10 of their 16 games, they were shutout in the fourth quarter.

After scoring just 58 points during the second half in 16 games last season, it took Cincinnati just five weeks to surpass that mark in 2009 (60). Their inability from the previous season to score points in the second half seemed to be nothing but part of the past and would no longer be an issue.

Unfortunately, the issues appear to be far from over as Cincinnati has displayed over the last six weeks. With an upcoming game against a playoff-caliber type team in the San Diego Chargers, the Bengals need to figure out a way to reach the end zone in the second half for not only this game, but the remainder of the season,including the playoffs.

Otherwise, Cincinnati may be looking at an early exit in the first round of the playoffs, if they fail to find a way to reach the end zone in the second half of games, how can anyone expect them to make a serious run at the playoffs?

As solid as their defense has played this season, the Bengals need the support of an offense willing to put up touchdowns for an entire game—not just the first half.