The Bengals defense just played awful and the Bengals offense couldn’t keep up.  Carson Palmer had a good game as he completed 20 of 38 passes for 251 yards with 2 TDs.  Rudi Johnson had a rough time with the Steelers defense as he carried the ball 13 times for 47 yards (3.6 ypc).  Chris Henry had a fantastic game with 4 grabs for 124 yards and a TD.  Chad Johnson (4 rec, 53 yards) and TJ Houshmandzadeh (4 rec, 44 yards) were both bottled up by the Steelers defense.  Kenny Watson caught 4 passes for 19 yards out of the backfield.  TE Tony Stewart caught 2 passes for 4 yards and a TD.

The defense really played pathetic for the Bengals today.  The Steelers ran the ball 45 times for 207 yards (4.6 ypc).  The Steelers completed 19 of 28 passes for 275 net yards passing.

The Bengals can clinch a playoff berth with  1) a win and a New York Jets loss  2) a win, a Denver loss and a Kansas City win.

The Bengals really hurt their chances last week against the Broncos.  The second scenario has a better chance of actually happening as the Jets are playing at home against the Oakland Raiders.

The Bengals deserved better on Sunday in Denver.  They outplayed the Broncos and still lost the game.  Carson Palmer had a solid game as he completed 21 of 40 passes for 209 yards with 2 TDs and 2 INTs.  Rudi Johnson had a very solid game in the snow with 30 carries for 129 yards (4.3 ypc) and a TD.  TJ Houshmandzadeh had a great game with 9 catches for 94 yards and a TD.  Chad Johnson (3 rec, 30 yards) and Chris Henry (3 rec, 30 yards and a TD).

The defense was led by Landon Johnson (9 tackles) and Dexter Jackson (4 tackles, 1/2 sack and an interception that he returned 46 yards).  The Broncos ran the ball 34 times for 127 yards (3.7 ypc).  They also completed 12 of 23 passes for 160 net yards passing.

The Bengals fell to 8-7 after this loss and will need a miracle to make the playoffs.  It’s a shame that the Bengals might miss the playoffs because of a botched extra point that would have tied the game and sent it to OT.

The Bengals got blasted on Monday Night by the Colts 34-16, which snapped their 4 game winning streak.  The Broncos won 37-20 in Arizona breaking their 4 game losing streak.

This game will probably be played in blizzard like conditions which should mean that both teams will be running the football.  That could slow the Bengals offense down a little bit as they prefer to throw the ball.  Rudi Johnson (1,133 yards rushing) will likely be the main man on offense for the Bengals against a Broncos defense that has allowed 105.4 yards rushing per game and 3.9 yards per carry so far this season.  Carson Palmer (3,575 yards passing) might have to shorten up the receivers patterns to battle with the wind and cold, but Chad Johnson (80 rec, 1,284 yards) and TJ Houshmandzadeh (77 rec, 943 yards) are both tough guys with good hands.  The Broncos do allow 217.5 net yards passing so far this season, but, Palmer will have to be on the lookout for Champ Bailey who has 8 interceptions this season.

The Broncos have always preferred to run the football and they should have success against the Bengals who are allowing 109.2 net yards rushing and 4.1 yards per carry so far this season.  Mike Bell seems to be the flavor of the week instead of Tatum Bell, and he should have a good game.  Rookie Jay Cutler has played pretty well so far, but he could be without Javon Walker (62 rec, 1,007 yards) who has a separated shoulder.  Don’t look for the Broncos to throw the ball too much unless they fall behind. 

I have to side with the Broncos in this football game.  It’s going to be nasty in Denver and I just like the Bronco defense better than the Bengals defense.