Cincinnati Bengals Have Found Formula for Offensive Success

The 2010 Cincinnati Bengals have blown any realistic chance at winning back-to-back division titles. A playoff appearance seems to be a miracle away at this point.

Sunday's loss to the Falcons killed any and all hope. The defense was destroyed by Matt Ryan and it looks as if the absence of Johnathan Joseph hurt big time.

But it also showed the team a formula for playing well offensively.

Carson Palmer and the offense has been taking most of the blame for this choke job of a season. Questions about Palmer's accuracy, mental well-being and relationship with his receivers have already been debated to death.

Palmer silenced some of his critics while torching the Falcons secondary for over 400 yards, three TDs and zero interceptions. His accuracy was very impressive aside from a couple of deep balls he missed to Terrell Owens. He completed 36 of his 50 passes.

Chad Ochocinco bounced back with 108 yards on 10 receptions and a garbage time TD. But he did add a few more drops to his long list of them this season.

Palmer was able to have success because the team was in the no huddle for much of the game.

Clearly the offense is most effective in a no-huddle approach as they reached a season high with 32 points. Palmer can read the D and call a play based on the defensive personal on the field. This tires the opponent and forces the D to make fewer substitutions between plays. Palmer seems to have worked out the mental kinks that plagued him during the first few games.

Palmer is a rhythm passer and the no-huddle is perfectly suited for that. When Palmer get's in a groove he can still bring back old memories of his magical '05 season.

What's the downside to sticking with it, especially at this point in the season? It sure beats letting offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski call plays!

But the inability to score touchdowns in the red zone is a problem that has yet to be fixed. They scored two TDs in four trips inside the 20 on Sunday.

After Sunday's latest embarrassment against the Falcons, there is a new player worthy of blame.

Cedric Benson's fourth quarter fumble was BRUTAL. The Bengals were driving, down only one score, and then all of the Bengals momentum was gone in a flash. He's had three fumbles already this year. For an offense that struggles to score, that is unacceptable.

Since Benson is in the last year of his contract and not likely to re-sign with the team, why not play Bernard Scott more?

I know he played mostly when the Bengals were scrambling for any sort of yardage and the Falcons were playing a soft zone, but Scott looked terrific with one carry for 14 yards and five receptions for 43 yard.

His explosive speed is evident. Benson is the tortoise and Scott is the hare. Why not use this weapon more during the early stages of the game? Why not see if Scott is capable of being the No. 1 back in 2011?

Clearly the team is going nowhere fast. With the brutal schedule that lies ahead, it's time to throw out the '10 playbook and let Palmer make the decisions and hope for the best.

What's there to lose besides yet another game?