Cincinnati Bengals: Week 15 Report Card

The Cincinnati Bengals did their best to honor the memory of Chris Henry but fell short in a 27-24 loss to the San Diego Chargers.  Fans got to see a classic duel between two great quarterbacks.  It was an emotional and hard-fought football game with the Nate Kaeding giving the Chargers the lead by kicking a 53-yard field goal with three seconds on the clock.

Offense

Carson Palmer had his best game of the season, completing 27-of-40 passes for 314 yards.  He spread the ball around to eight different players, including touchdowns to Chad Ochocinco and Laveranues Coles.  

It was a much different celebration for Ochocinco this time.  He dropped to his knees, tapped his heart and had words for "Slim," his former teammate who was surely cheering him on from above.

Cedric Benson and Larry Johnson combined for 88 yards on the ground.  The Bengals altered their usual plan by focusing more on the passing game.  That did not seem to make a difference in the red zone, a place Cincinnati continues to struggle.  The team scored one touchdown in four trips inside the Chargers' 20-yard line. 

Penalties and mistakes continue to hurt the offense.  In the fourth quarter, a J.P. Foschi false start and Andre Caldwell fumble sent the Bengals in the wrong direction and erased any hope of taking the lead with a touchdown.  Grade:  B .

Defense

The defense was able to hold LaDainian Tomlinson to 59 yards rushing.  He had 58 yards receiving, as the Bengals defense continues to get burned on screen passes.  Philip Rivers had a day very comparable to Palmer, completing 24-of-38 passes for 308 yards.

The defense played an average game, considering the opponent.  The Chargers are a very good offensive team.  Leon Hall did seem to get picked on by Rivers, with Vincent Jackson catching five balls for 108 yards and two touchdowns.  Grade:  C.

Special Teams

Shayne Graham kicked three field goals, including a 34-yarder with 54 seconds left to tie the game.  Brandon Johnson wasted a good punt by Kevin Huber, allowing it to go into the end zone instead of downing the ball at the one-yard line.  Grade:  B .

The Bengals try to wrap-up the AFC North again this Sunday against Kansas City at Paul Brown Stadium.  However, they will have the hardest week of any NFL team as they fly to New Orleans on Tuesday for Chris Henry's funeral.

Read more in The Wight Pages .