Slow start proves costly for the Bengals

By Andrew Kappes  |   Monday, October 10, 2005  |  Comments( 0 )

Cincinnati Bengals
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The Cincinnati Bengals brought their 4-0 record to Jacksonville for an 8:30 primetime matchup with a stingy Jacksonville Jaguars defense, ranked 3rd in total defense in the NFL. The Bengals offense was running without starting center Rich Braham and wide receiver T.J Houshmandzadeh. The defense went without safety Madieu Williams.

Jacksonville forced a punt on the Cincinnati Bengals opening drive after kickoff. Bengal's punter Kyle Larson booted a 69-yard punt, but a penalty brought the punt back. A few plays later, Byron Leftwich threw a 26-yard touchdown to George Wrighster. The Jaguars then blocked Kyle Larson's next punt after the Bengals failed to reach field goal range, and that ended up as a Jaguars 32-yard field goal from Josh Scobee. Later in the half, Scobee booted a 51-yard field goal to make it 13-0. The Bengals finally got on the board on their next drive, when Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson connected for a 14 yard touchdown. At halftime, the score was 13-7 in favor of Jacksonville. Byron Leftwich then threw an 11 yard touchdown to Ernest Wilford, making it a 20-7 game. Shayne Graham kicked two field goals to cut the lead to 7, but Josh Scobee kicked another field goal increasing the Jaguars lead to 23-13. The Bengals were able to cut it to 3 when Palmer and rookie wideout Chris Henry connected twice for 72 yards, ending the drive with a 25 yard score to Henry. Cincinnati did have one more chance, but Bobby McCray knocked the ball out of the hands of Carson Palmer and Akin Ayodele recovered it. The Jags ran the clock out from there, winning it, 23-20.

The stingy Jacksonville Jaguars defense couldn't really stop Palmer, who completed 22 of 33 passes, for 239 yards, and two scores. Rudi Johnson was held in check, he carried it 18 times for 76 yards. Chad Johnson caught five passes for 52 yards and a score, but was upset with play calling and Carson Palmer as to why he didn't get more catches. Jacksonville QB Byron Leftwich only completed 10 of 24 passes, but two of them were for scores. Running back Fred Taylor hit season highs; he rushed for 132 yards on 24 attempts.

Only one undefeated now remains; the Indianapolis Colts are still 5-0. The Bengals head to Tennessee to take on the Titans at 1:00 next Sunday. Cincinnati still has sole first place in the AFC North, over Pittsburgh, who plays tonight.
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