The Bengals looked decent on defense but awful last night offensively in the Hall of Fame Game.  Carson Palmer played the first two possessions for the Bengals and he completed 2 of 5 passes for 18 yards.  Both of his completions were to Terrell Owens.  J.T. O’Sullivan replaced Palmer in the game and he couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn with a pass.  He completed 4 of 11 passes for 33 yards with 0 TDs and 1 INT.  Jordan Palmer (Carson’s bro) finished out the game by completing 10 of 20 passes for 102 yards with 1 TD pass and 2 INTs.  His TD pass was a 1-yarder late in the game to TE Darius Hill (his only catch).  The younger Palmer also threw a pick six (6-yard INT return by Cowboys’ linebacker Brandon Sharpe).  Bernard Scott led the way on the ground for the Bengals last night with a whopping 19 yards on 7 carries (2.7 ypc).  Matt Jones was the Bengals’ leading receiver last night with 3 grabs for 42 yards (14.0 avg) as he looked pretty good.  The Bengals finished up with 43 yards rushing (2.5 ypc) and 136 yards passing as they only had the ball for 23:49 of the game.

The defense was on the field a long time but they didn’t give up any TDs.  DT Geno Atkins led the way for the Bengals as he seemed to be in the Cowboys’ backfield quite a bit.  He had 6 tackles, 3 tackles for a loss, 1 sack and 1 QB hit.  Linebacker Vincent Rey pitched in with six tackles last night.  Linebacker Michael Johnson was also very active for the Bengals in this contest as he had 3 tackles, 2 tackles, 2 tackles for a loss and 2 QB hits.  The Cowboys finished up with 85 yards rushing (2.9 ypc) and 212 yards passing in this game. 

The Bengals completely dominated this football game last night.  J.T. O’Sullivan was in and out of this game quickly as he completed both of his pass attempts for 23 yards with a TD.  Jordan Palmer finished up the game and he looked o.k. completing 8 of 16 passes for 75 yards with 2 TD passes and 1 interception.  He also carried the ball 2 times for 25 yards (12.5 ypc).  De De Dorsey had another huge game for the Bengals as he carried the ball 13 times for 68 yards (5.2 ypc).  He also returned a blocked punt 6 yards for a TD.  Brian Leonard was also effective carrying the ball 9 times for 64 yards (7.1 ypc) with a TD run.  He also caught 2 passes for 8 yards in this game.  The Bengals finished up with 389 total yards in this game (296 rushing, 93 passing) as they had possession of the football for 34:42. 

CB Morgan Trent and LB Jim Maxwell each had 6 tackles to led the way for the Bengals’ D which had six sacks.  The Colts finished up with only 205 total yards on offense (79 rushing, 126 passing).  The Bengals finished up the pre-season with a 2-2 record.

The Cincinnati Bengals have only allowed 15.7 points per game this pre-season which is good for 9th in the NFL.  They have allowed only 298.3 yards per game (also 9th in the league).  So are they for real or just a mirage?  I hate to be the bringer of bad news to Bengals’ fans but they only have 4 sacks so far and 0 interceptions.  I don’t see a lot of playmakers on the defense yet so I’m thinking they will still have problems this season.  On a bright note, linebacker Keith Rivers is leading the team in tackles with 14 and it’s good to see him back.  I’m sure he’ll be looking forward to playing the Steelers this season so he can get Hines Ward back.

The Bengals probably wouldn’t have signed Laveranues Coles in the off-season if they had faith that Chris Henry could stay out of trouble and motivated.  No one disputes Henry’s talent as he has the jets to get deep against anybody.  It’s all in Henry’s head as this is a man who has not realized his talent.  Henry has caught 13 passes for 217 yards (16.7 avg) with 3 TD grabs this pre-season already as he has been the go-to man.  The Bengals really need him to step up and be at least a solid #3 WR for them this season but he could beat out Coles if he keeps up the good work all year long.

All 25-year old De De Dorsey has ever done at the NFL level is play good football but he’s never really had an extended chance to prove himself.  He has played in 29 games (2 starts) in his NFL career and he has carried the ball 26 times for 191 yards (7.3 ypc)!  He also has caught 6 passes for 68 yards (11.3 avg) out of the backfield.  Dorsey is at it again this pre-season trying to win a job with the Bengals.  He has carried the ball 11 times for 87 yards (7.9 ypc) and he has returned 4 kickoffs for 97 yards (24.3 avg).  The Bengals should not only keep Dorsey on the final roster but they should give him some legit playing time as Cedric Benson is probably not the back of the future for this team.

The Bengals’ whole season hinges on the health of starting QB Carson Palmer.  Palmer has been banged up this whole pre-season as he has completed 7 of 11 passes (63.6%) for 133 yards with 0 TDs and 1 INT (67.6 QB Rating).  The Bengals didn’t go out in the off-season and get a truly solid backup QB and it has showed this pre-season with Palmer out.  J.T. O’Sullivan’s stats look good so far but the Bengals are only averaging a pathetic 11.7 points in three games this pre-season.  O’Sullivan has completed 26 of 37 passes (70.3%) for 335 yards with 2 TD passes and 0 INTs (116.4 QB Rating).  He has also carried the ball 4 times for 29 yards (7.3 ypc).  Don’t let those shiny numbers fool you as O’Sullivan won the starting job for the 49ers last season only to lose it by turning the ball over a lot.  He’s only a tad better than Ryan Fitzgerald and that’s saying something.  Third stringer Jordan Palmer is assured of a roster spot because the Bengals want to keep his brother (Carson) happy.  The younger Palmer has completed 14 of 24 passes (58.3%) for 206 yards with 1 TD pass and 2 interceptions this pre-season (65.6 QB Rating).  If Jordan had to play an extended period of time I’m convinced the Bengals would be drafting in the top 3 in the NFL Draft.

The Bengals couldn’t protect the football in this game and it cost them in the end.  J.T. O’Sullivan started this game and he completed 7 of 13 passes for 94 yards.  He also carried the ball 2 times for 14 yards (7.0 ypc) but he lost a fumble.  Jordan Palmer completed 5 of 6 passes for 102 yards with a TD pass.  But, he also threw a interception and fumbled the ball twice (lost one of them).  Bernard Scott led the Bengals on the ground in this game with 54 yards rushing on 8 carries (6.8 ypc) but he also lost a fumble.  WR Chris Henry had another solid game for the Bengals with 62 yards receiving on two catches (31.0 avg) with a TD.  The Bengals finished up with 312 yards of total offense in this game (141 rushing, 171 passing).

Rookie LB Rey Maualuga was outstanding in this game for the Bengals with 8 tackles.  The Rams finished up with only 243 yards on offense in this game (102 rushing, 141 passing).  WR Quan Crosby was a bright spot on special teams for the Bengals in this game as he returned a punt 49 yards for a TD.

The Bengals improved to 1-1 on the pre-season with this win last Thursday.  Carson Palmer did not play in this game due to a ankle injury.  J.T. O’Sullivan was pretty solid in this game for the Bengals as he completed 10 of 13 passes for 141 yards with 1 TD pass.  He also carried the ball 2 times for 15 yards (7.5 ypc).  Jordan Palmer finished up the game and he was terrible as usual completing only 2 of 7 passes for 45 yards.  De de Dorsey led the way in the running game for the Bengals in this game as he carried the ball 4 times for 60 yards (15.0 ypc).  Chad Ochocinco led the Bengals in the passing game with 69 yards receiving on 3 catches (23.0 avg).  He also kicked a extra point for the Bengals and looked good doing it.  Chris Henry had another solid game with 4 catches for 55 yards (13.8 avg) with a TD.  The Bengals rolled up 173 yards rushing on 35 carries (4.9 ypc) in this game.  But they only passed for 173 yards in this game.

The defense was led by DT Pat Sims who had 7 tackles and a sack.  Although the Bengals only allowed 5 points in this game they still gave up 336 total yards of offense to the Patriots (108 rushing, 228 passing).

The Bengals rolled up 379 yards of offense in this game but still only scored 7 points which is truly amazing.  Carson Palmer was 7 of 11 passing for 133 yards but he threw a pickoff.  Still it was great to see him healthy and chucking the football.  J.T. O’Sullivan was really sharp when he got into the game completing 9 of 11 passes for 100 yards with a TD pass.  Jordan Palmer finished up the game completing 7 of 11 passes for 59 yards with a interception.  He also carried the ball 3 times for 14 yards (4.7 ypc).  Bernard Scott led the Bengals in rushing in this game with 30 yards on 6 carries (5.0 ypc).  Cedric Benson pitched in with 28 yards on 8 carries (3.5 ypc) in this game.  WR Chris Henry was outstanding for the Bengals last Friday catching 7 passes for 100 yards (14.3 avg) with a TD.  Chad Ochocinco also had a solid game with 73 yards on two receptions (36.5 avg).

The Bengals played o.k. on defense as they only allowed 2.9 yards per carry against the run and 316 total yards to the high powered Saints.  Safety Marvin White (7 tackles) and LB Abdul Hodge (6 tackles) led a decent effort on defense for the Bengals.

The Bengals dominated a not very motivated Colts team on Thursday Night.  Ryan Fitzpatrick started this game for the Bengals and he was efficient in completing 5 of 8 passes for 44 yards with 1 TD pass (9-yarder to WR Glenn Holt).  He also carried the football 4 times for 35 yards (8.8 ypc).  Jeff Rowe had a solid game completing 7 of 11 passes for 67 yards.  Jordan Palmer was also semi-effective completing 4 of 7 passes for 43 yards and he also carried the football 1 time for 15 yards.  James Johnson led the Bengals in rushing in this game with 54 yards on 8 carries (6.8 ypc).  DeDe Dorsey also had a solid game with 9 carries for 38 yards (4.2 ypc) with a TD run (6-yarder).  Chris Perry was busy with 9 carries for 20 yards (2.2 ypc) with a 5-yard TD run.  The Bengals held onto the football for a amazing 35:56 in this football game.  The Bengals rushed for 171 yards on 38 carries (4.5 ypc) and they also completed 16 of 26 passes for 130 yards.

The Bengals shut out the Colts’ offense as they scored on a 103-yard kickoff return by Courtney Roby.  Cornerbacks Simeon Castille and David Jones along with safety Kyries Hebert led the way for the Bengals with 5 tackles apiece.  The Colts were held to 41 yards rushing on 19 carries (2.2 ypc) and they also completed 12 of 28 passes for 113 yards.  The Bengals finished up the preseason with a 2-2 record.