Bengals-Jaguars: Cincinnati Pick Up First Win Of The Season...In Week Nine.

After eight weeks of consistent frustration in Cincinnati, the Bengals finally pulled off their first victory of the season defeating the visiting Jacksonville Jaguars 21-19.

I will admit, there was a time during the game when I was waiting for the Bengals to lose the lead. We have seen the same story throughout the season.

Here's how every game has seemed to play out so far this season:

1. The Bengals compete well with the team in the first half, making everybody think that they have a chance to win in the second half.
2. The Bengals were always down within single digits at halftime.
3. The Bengals play well against teams nobody thinks they can beat (Cowboys and Giants) and lose against teams that most people think they should beat.
4. The Bengals play poorly in the second half of the game.

Sunday's game against the Jaguars was a little different. Instead of the usual Bengal's performance, Sunday's game included:

1. The Bengals dominated the Jaguars in the first half.
2. The Bengals were actually winning by 11 at halftime.
3. Even though they are dealing with a lot of injuries, the Bengals were playing excellent against a Jaguars team that went to the playoffs last season.
4. The Bengals were actually able to hold on to the lead throughout the second half.

I will be the first to admit, the Bengals made it way too close at the end of the game by allowing Jacksonville to score 16 points in the fourth quarter. However, it doesn't matter if you win by 18 or if you win by two. A win is a win.

So what did the Bengals do different this week than any other of the eight weeks this season?

One of the main reasons why the Bengals were finally able to pull off their first victory this season is Chad Ocho Cinco.

Coming into the season, the expectations for the player formerly known as Chad Johnson were high as always. Over the past three seasons, he has recorded 1,300+ yards each season with 24 total touchdowns.

Through the first eight games this season he recorded a little over 300 yards and 2 touchdowns. Not the typical statistics for a player who claims to be a "future hall of fame player."

Hopefully, Sunday was the day Ocho Cinco got out of his slump. Even though he only recorded 37 yards receiving, he was able to catch two touchdowns to help his team win.

Along with Ocho Cinco, Bengals running back Cedric Benson may have finally found the rhythm he has been looking for all season.

Benson has been putting up decent numbers so far this season, but nothing too exciting.

On Sunday, Benson finally put up the numbers he needs if the Bengals want to win more games this season.

Benson posted his first career 100-yard rushing performance as a Bengal as he ran for 104 yards and a touchdown.

The Bengals have to be relieved that they were able to record a win before the Lions. At one point, it seemed as if both teams were going to record their first win of the season considering the Lions were up 23-13 against the Bears at halftime.  

The main thing the Bengals take away from their week nine win against the Jaguars is they won't go down in NFL history as an 0-16 team.

If Benson, Ocho Cinco and the rest of the Bengals squad can continue to play as well as they did against Jacksonville, there may be hope for a few more wins this season.

I guess we will just have to wait it out and see.