Bengals halfway there for Houshmandzadeh

By Neal Coolong  |   Sunday, November 02, 2008  |  Comments( 1 )

Cincinnati Bengals
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Just this week, Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh predicted the winless Bengals would chalk up two victories before the year was over.

Thanks to the team's sudden ability to run and stop the run, the Bengals got halfway there in Week 9 with a 21-19 victory over the Jacksonville Jaguars - a team that is used to running the ball well, and stopping the run. Cincinnati got 104 yards and a touchdown from running back Cedric Benson - by far the team's best individual rushing performance of the season. Their defense held the usually run-heavy Jaguars to just 68 ground yards.

Commentary: The Bengals have come close in a few games, but their lack of ability to control the clock by running with success has been a huge part of their poor start. A rejuvenated Benson is a perfect fit for their toothless rushing attack.

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick has 10 turnovers (six interceptions and four lost fumbles) in five starts this year, but Week 9 was the first time this season he had more touchdown passes (two) than giveaways (one interception); both of those scoring passes went to Chad Johnson.

That offensive performance was accentuated by the ejection of lineman Andrew Whitworth after a fight with Jaguars defensive tackle John Henderson. Whitworth left the field to a standing ovation from the crowd.

With that sort of fire flaring in Cincinnati going into its bye week, Houshmandzadeh may make even more on his guarantee than originally expected.

Fan Pulse: Fans posting on the Bengals Zone message board are celebrating their team's first win since December of 2007.

Fantasy Football Impact: Fitzpatrick will possibly head back to the bench for the team's Week 11 game versus Philadelphia. Carson Palmer was initially working to return from an elbow injury for that game. Benson earned the first 100-yard game for a Bengals running back this season.

Injury Watch: Palmer didn't play Sunday, and neither did safety Dexter Jackson -- whom the Bengals placed on injured reserve this week. Rookie WRs Andre Caldwell and Jerome Simpson each missed the game.
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About Neal Coolong

Neal Coolong is a freelance sports writer with contributions to Scout.com, AOL and Steelers Live. He lives with his fiance in St. Paul, Minn., and saves every dime (that she knows about) for their wedding next June. He's already made the prediction that the Steelers 2007 draft class will be one ...
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