2006 Cincinnati Bengals season

2006 Cincinnati Bengals season

"at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The Bengals maintained their shared lead in the AFC North (3-0, 2-0) by defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers 28-20 at Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The game was marred by sloppy play by both teams, however Cincinnati benefitted greatly by creating 5 Steeler turnovers and blocking a Jeff Reed field goal attempt.

Pittsburgh appeared to be well on their way to a win, with Willie Parker scoring a touchdown on their first drive of the game. Following a Deshea Townsendinterception of Carson Palmer, the Steelers again drove into the redzone, however a Ben Roethlisberger pass was intercepted by Madieu Williams in the end zone and returned to the three-yard line.

The change in momentum was evident as the Bengals marched 97 yards capped by a 16 yard touchdown pass from Palmer to Chris Henry. Following a blocked field goal by John Thornton, Palmer and Henry would reconnect in the endzone late in the second quarter giving Cincinnati a 14-7 lead at the half.

In the third quarter Pittsburgh took back the momentum, scoring a field goal on their first drive followed by an Ike Taylor interception of Palmer on the Bengals' first drive of the half, setting up the Steelers on the Bengals' 7. Parker scored 4 plays later giving the Steelers a 17-14 lead.

After the touchdown, neither offense could get on track with the next seven drives ending in either punts or turnovers. With 8 minutes left in the game, the Bengals were forced to punt. A muffed return by Ricardo Colclough and subsequent recovery by the Bengals' Tony Stewart gave the Bengals the ball on the Steelers' 9. Palmer connect with T. J. Houshmandzadeh on the first play from scrimmage giving the Bengals a 21-17 lead. The Bengal defense responded by forcing a fumble on the next Steeler drive, giving the offense the ball on the Steeler 30-yard line. On the first play of the drive, Palmer again went to Houshmandzadeh in the end zone, connecting for a 30 yard touchdown and extending the lead to 28-17. The Steeler offense returned on the next possession, driving to the Bengals' 18 and adding another Jeff Reed field goal. After forcing a Bengal 3-and-out, the Steelers received the ball on their own 11 with 2:42 to play in the game. Roethlisberger was able to drive the Steelers down to the Bengals' 16 yard line, however the game effectively ended when a pass intended for Nate Washington in the end zone was intercepted by Kevin Kaesviharn.

The Bengals showed maturity and patience in an important win against the Steelers. However, the Bengals allowed 6 sacks, gave up 3 turnovers and were unable to involve either of the "Johnsons" as a significant part of the offense. The Bengals looked to improve in week 4 at home against the Patriots.

Aftermath

Odell Thurman was arrested for a DUI with teammates Chris Henry and Reggie McNeal in the vehicle. Odell had just entered the 3rd game of a 4 game suspension for violating the NFL's drug policy. The NFL suspended him for the remainder of the season.

Week 4: vs. New England Patriots

"at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Hoping to rebound from their embarrassing loss to the Bucs, the Bengals went home for a showdown with the Carolina Panthers. In the first quarter, things didn't start out good for Cincinnati as Panthers QB Jake Delhomme completed a 7-yard TD pass to TE Kris Mangum for the only score of the period. In the second quarter, the Bengals managed to get on the board with QB Carson Palmer completing a 16-yard TD pass to TE Reggie Kelly. However, Carolina would respond with Delhomme completing a 20-yard TD pass to RB Nick Goings. Fortunately, in the second half of the game, it was all Cincinnati, with kicker Shayne Graham nailing a 23-yard field goal in the third quarter and Palmer completing a 1-yard TD pass to WR T. J. Houshmandzadeh. The drive which led to Housh's (a nickname used by local radio commentators for Houshmandzadeh) was kept alive by an uncharacteristically risky play. On 4th and 1 instead of the expected, and typically successful quarterback push in the middle or a short-yardage dive play involving a running back, the Bengals ran a "play action pass". Carson tossed a high arching pass down the sideline where a sprinting Chad Johnson caught up to it and made a tumbling catch just out of the reach of the defender for a 32-yard gain. The Panthers' last scoring opportunity was thwarted by Delhomme's first interception ever thrown as a Panther when in the opponent's 20 yard line. Kevin Kaesviharn made the interception to end the threat, much like the pass he intercepted during the Steeler's game earlier this year. This game saw the return of 3rd down running back specialist Chris Perry and safety Dexter Jackson. With the victory, the Bengals improved to 4-2, tying the Ravens for the lead in the AFC North.

Aftermath

There has been some speculation that the Panthers game may prove to be a pivotal moment in the Bengals' season. Specifically a focus on the daring 4th and 1 play that went for 32 yards. The somewhat downtrodden Bengals' offense is expected to have gained some confidence after their showing.

During this time period the Bengals' held a work out for former Bengal Peter Warrick. This appears to be in response to their thinning receiving corps.

After being relatively silent for most of the season Chad Johnson spoke out boastfully before the Atlanta game predicting he would score multiple touchdowns and damage the defensive back rival, DeAngelo Hall, into being cut from Atlanta's team. Chad stated he was using this opportunity for the offense to regain some of its confidence and swagger.

Week 8 vs. Atlanta Falcons

"at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Hoping to snap their two-game skid, the Bengals went home for a Week 10 match-up of former AFL West rivals with the San Diego Chargers. The Bengals started off strong with FB Jeremi Johnson getting a 3-yard TD run. Afterwards, RB Rudi Johnson got a 7-yard TD run and QB Carson Palmer completed a 51-yard TD to WR Chad Johnson. In the second quarter, the Chargers managed to get on the board with RB LaDainian Tomlinson getting a 9-yard TD run. Cincinnati would respond with Palmer completing a 7-yard TD pass to WR Chris Henry. For the second half, the points came in huge chunks. In the third quarter, San Diego responded with Tomlinson getting a 4-yard TD run, while QB Philip Rivers completed a 46-yard TD pass to WR Malcom Floyd. The Bengals would respond with kicker Shayne Graham getting a 21-yard field goal. The Chargers would strike with Rivers completing a 9-yard TD pass to TE Brandon Manumaleuna. The Bengals would answer with Palmer completing a 73-yard TD pass to Chad Johnson. In the fourth quarter, the points didn't stop coming in, as San Diego responded with Tomlinson getting a 2-yard TD run and a 9-yard TD run. Cincinnati would get a 44-yard field goal from Graham, but the Chargers wrapped up this high scoring contest with Rivers and Manumaleuna hooking up with each other again on a 5-yard TD pass. With the loss, the Bengals fell to 4-5.

Week 11 vs. New Orleans Saints

"at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Coming off of their dominate road win over the Browns, the Bengals went home for a Thursday Night fight in an AFC North rematch against the Baltimore Ravens. After a scoreless first quarter, kicker Shayne Graham helped the Bengals draw first blood with a 23-yard and a 27-yard field goal. In the third quarter, things went even better as QB Carson Palmer completed a 40-yard TD pass to WR T. J. Houshmandzadeh on a flea flicker for the only score of the period. In the fourth quarter, the Ravens had a late comeback as QB Steve McNair completed a 36-yard TD pass to WR Derrick Mason, but fortunately, the Bengals squashed any chance of Baltimore's comeback by succeeding on the onside kick. With the win, the Bengals improved to 7-5. Shane Graham missed the 1st extra point attempt in his entire career as it was blocked bringing his 158 success streak to an end. Chris Perry suffered another season-ending injury during this game and has not played a full season of professional football in his career yet.

Between weeks 14 and 15

Deltha O'Neal became the 8th Bengal since the 2005 - 2006 season to be arrested. He was charged with drunk driving. He did not play in the next game but had been nursing a nagging injury for many previous weeks. It was not clear if he did not play as a disciplinary measure or due to the injury.

Week 14: vs. Oakland Raiders

"at Invesco Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

Trying to rebound from their road loss to the Colts, the Bengals flew to Invesco Field at Mile High for a snowy Week 16 intraconference fight with the Denver Broncos. In the first quarter, Cincinnati struck first with RB Rudi Johnson's 6-yard TD run for the only score of the period. In the second quarter, the Broncos struck back with QB Jay Cutler completing a 1-yard TD pass to TE Tony Scheffler and a 39-yard TD pass to WR Javon Walker. Fortunately, the Bengals pounced back into the lead with kicker Shayne Graham's 46-yard field goal and QB Carson Palmer's 11-yard TD pass WR Chris Henry. However, in the second half, Denver pulled ahead with RB Mike Bell's 2-yard TD run in the third quarter and kicker Jason Elam's 24-yard field goal. Cincinnati would pull within one point with Palmer's 10-yard TD pass to WR T. J. Houshmandzadeh. Unfortunately, on the extra point attempt, punter/holder Kyle Larson had the snap go right through his hands, securing the loss. With that, the Bengals fell to 8-7.

Week 17 vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

"at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Trying to keep their slim playoff hopes alive, the Bengals wrapped up their regular season at home with a crucial AFC North rematch game against the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Bengals had two possible options for reaching the post-season 1 - A Bengals win and a Jets loss, or 2 - A Kansas City Chiefs win, a Denver Broncos loss and a Bengals win. After a scoreless first quarter, the Steelers struck first with RB Willie Parker scoring a 1-yard TD run. Afterwards, Cincinnati would manage to score with kicker Shayne Graham nailing a 34-yard field goal. After a scoreless third quarter, the Bengals would take the lead after recovering a Willie Parker fumble on the 1-yard-line, when QB Carson Palmer completed a 66-yard TD pass to WR Chris Henry. Afterwards, Pittsburgh retook the lead with Parker getting another 1-yard TD run. Cincinnati would then jump back into the lead with Palmer completing a 5-yard TD pass to TE Tony Stewart. The Steelers would manage to tie the game late in the 4th period with kicker Jeff Reed's 35-yard field goal, yet the Bengals managed to quickly move into field goal range. However, Graham's game-winning 39-yard field goal attempt went wide right. In overtime, the Steelers won with QB Ben Roethlisberger completing a 67-yard TD pass to WR Santonio Holmes. With the loss, not only did Cincinnati fall to 8-8, but their three-straight losses to end the season denied the Bengals of their playoff chances. In a cruel twist of fate, the Kansas City Chiefs defeated the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Denver Broncos lost to the San Francisco 49ers meaning that the Bengals cost themselves the post-season and ensured that Cincinnati would once again have nothing invested in the playoffs. It was Marvin Lewis' third 8 - 8 season in his four years as the Bengals head coach.

Division standings

External links

* [http://www.bengals.com/news/news.asp?story_id=5517 Information about The Pyramid theme]


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