Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > September > 14 > Entry
Cincinnati Bengals implode, fall to Titans, 24-7; go from bad to worse
THINGS ARE GETTING UGLY:
KISS THE SEASON GOODBYE
AS BENGALS FALL TO 0-2
WITH 3 OF NEXT 4 ON ROAD
And you thought the Cincinnati Bengals’ performance at Baltimore last week was bad.
This week’s home opener was worse.
The Bengals — taking a page out of Ohio State’s playbook (the Buckeyes spent Saturday night pooping in their pants and peeing down their legs in the Los Angeles Coliseum) — laid a Ostrich-sized egg in a 24-7 loss to the Tennessee Titans on Sunday, Sept. 14.
Titans linebacker Keith Bulluck trash-talked all week, then backed it up. He blocked a Kyle Larson punt in the end zone and recovered it for a touchdown — the game’s final points.
LenDale White scored on a 1-yard plunge; Kerry Collins tossed an 11-yard TD pass to Justin Gage; Rob Bironas booted a 34-yard field goal; and Craig Hentrich unleased a 70-yard punt.
Time was stopped when a fan threw a full beer bottle on the field with 14:05 to go.
Fans flooded the exits at the start of the fourth quarter so they could go home to their power-less houses.
More than 400,000 homes in the Tri-State area are without power. Wind gusts are anywhere from 50 to 80 mph.
Trash swirled around Paul Brown Stadium most of the game.
There was plenty of garbage on the offensive side of the field … when the Bengals had the ball.
Their only touchdown came on Chris Perry’s first career rushing TD in the second quarter.
Carson Palmer tossed two interceptions — under throwing T.J. Houshmandzadeh and over-throwing Reggie Kelly — and was replaced the final minute and a half by backup Ryan Fitzpatrick
Palmer completed 16 of 27 passes for 134 yards, two picks, no TDs and a 41.3 passser rating.
Tight end Ben Utecht suffered a chest injury on the first play from scrimmage … and it was all downhill from there.
TENNESSEE TITANS 24, CINCINNATI BENGALS 7
Tennessee Titans 0-14-3-7 — 24
Cincinnati Bengals 0-7-0-0 — 7
FIRST QUARTER
No scoring.
SECOND QUARTER
Titans — LenDale White, 1 run (Rob Bironas kick), 11:06 to go, Tennessee leads, 7-0.
Bengals — Chris Perry, 13 run (Shayne Graham kick), 3:13 to go. Score tied, 7-7.
Titans — Justin Gage, 11 pass from Kerry Collins (Bironas kick), 0:38 to go. Tennessee leads, 14-7.
THIRD QUARTER
Titans — Bironas, 34 FG, 4:49 to go. Tennessee leads, 17-7.
FOURTH QUARTER
Titans — Keith Bulluck, recovered blocked punt in end zone (Bironas kick), 14:05 to go. Tennessee leads, 24-7.
Attendance — 64,540
Permalink | Comments (20) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By psychostats
September 14, 2008 4:41 PM | Link to this
The first two games of the season were supposed to be relatively winnable. Now they head for a “difficult” stretch in the season. Does anybody want to look on the bright side now? Mike Brown, what a spectacular debacle you have wrought!By John
September 14, 2008 4:51 PM | Link to this
Well, with the schedule change due to the hurricane, the Bengals look to be 0-8 at their break instead of 0-7. Seems when PB passed, he took all the knowledge AND wisdom with him. MB and daughter, where do we go now?By John
September 14, 2008 5:08 PM | Link to this
0-9, They could be 0-9 going into the break. I looked again into the schedule. Perhaps they should let Carson go to a better team so as to not waste his talents here. Too much stuff going on with this team.By Michael
September 14, 2008 5:45 PM | Link to this
Chick, Any chance that Roger Goodell could step in and /pressure force Mike Brown to sell in the best interest of the league?By Michael
September 14, 2008 5:49 PM | Link to this
Chick, Any chance that Roger Goodell could step in and pressure/force Mike Brown to sell in the best interest of the league? In know it’s unprecedented, but so are the Bungals…By Derrick
September 14, 2008 7:05 PM | Link to this
Frankly, I don’t see how this team can pull itself out of the morass it has created for itself. It has never handled adversity, and this season is going to be a beaut! I have spared myself some agony this season by taping the game and waiting to see the outcome before deciding to watch the tape. So far I have NOT watched any tape. I just hit the DUH-lete button - something all the “golden goose” feeders shoud do.By ShockMonkey
September 14, 2008 8:08 PM | Link to this
Derrick wrote: I don’t see how this team can pull itself out of the morass it has created for itself. It has never handled adversity, and this season is going to be a beaut. I agree. When apathy starts in Week 2, you’re in deep trouble. Two winnable games and we’ve looked embarrassingly awful. Honestly, there’s not much else you can say. Lewis is beyond lost now. The organization is a joke and next week we’re playing the Giants! Goodness.By Losers_Forever
September 14, 2008 8:50 PM | Link to this
There is not a worst organization in pro sports. I’m DONE with them. It’s time to move on. I’ve been a loyal follower ever since the enception of the team. But since Mike Brown doesn’t care or know how to field a winning team, I just can’t get excited about them anymore. I’m beyond frustrated. That’s what I felt the last 17 years. It’s now time to send my loyalites and money to another team. I’ll never buy season tickets and put another dime into Mike Brown’s pocket ever again. Nor will I post here again, because I finished with Bengals football. Good luck to all that continue to stick around. Over and out.By Robert
September 14, 2008 9:00 PM | Link to this
Why are fans still giving Palmer the benefit of the doubt? He is as guilty as the others of poor play. Marvin/Brat are no longer fooling anybody - time to blow this team up and start rebuilding.By Not really surprised
September 14, 2008 10:46 PM | Link to this
It would be funny if it wasn’t so sad. Terrible team. You know it’s bad when The Franchise stinks. If we manage to win a game, it will be completely by accident.By Ft. Myers Foursome
September 15, 2008 2:00 AM | Link to this
On Saturday night, Ohio State masqueraded as a distant #5 team in the nation and Sunday, the Bengals imitated a NFL team. Both were out of their league. I don’t think the Bengals could beat USC. At least Ohio State can go back and play their pansy Big Ten schedule and throw some “W’s” on the board. The SEC teams would love to have the Buckeyes for lunch. As for the Bengals, if it weren’t for sports bars and tailgating, the Bengal’s season would be a wash. I suggest starting the party early. That way the game won’t be so painful.By Sam
September 15, 2008 6:33 AM | Link to this
I don’t see anybody on the schedule they can beat. Mike Brown,Marvin,TJ,Chad: You’re getting what you deserve.Pathetic.By VietVet
September 15, 2008 6:48 AM | Link to this
Now will you Bengal supporters admit that this is a cheesy little flea market team? I was 1-1 this weekend with the Bengals and Bucks both losing in embarrasing fashion on national TV. I think the Bengals can still go 3-13 with wins over Cleveland, Houston and Baltimore, all at home. Wishful thinking?By Josh
September 15, 2008 9:06 AM | Link to this
I don’t even know what to say any more.. Why has this organization given us 1 reason to stand behind this team? Marvin talks about us just doing our jobs as fans and support them.. Well I think that would be a little easier if he would just DO HIS JOB and coah don’t ya think? Plus, People have said, well Oakland and san fran suck too, but look at teir loyalty… I say this to them, They have a history of winning programs, championships, etc… what do we have? What has this Organization given us as fans to even want to support them? 2005, I thought things we’re turning around, 2008 I’ve come back to reality… This is just how it is and how it’s going to be.By Mark Brandewiede
September 15, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
Before the season Chick was asked what would happen if the Bengals lost their first two games, his answer “Armegeddon” Then the wind storm hit and 90% are without power. The Chickster was right!By Mark Brandewiede
September 15, 2008 10:16 AM | Link to this
Before the season Chick was asked what would happen if the Bengals lost their first two games, his answer “Armegeddon” Then the wind storm hit and 90% are without power. The Chickster was right!By Greg Tampa Fl.
September 15, 2008 10:56 AM | Link to this
maybe its time to give ryan fitzgerald a shot at running the offense looked good in pre season something just not right with palmer looks scared to me ran his big mouth about osu maybe those winds payed his big mouth back.By rozman
September 16, 2008 1:16 AM | Link to this
bring back Chris Henry he’s on my fantasy team and i need some unexpeced points!By rozman
September 16, 2008 1:16 AM | Link to this
bring back Chris Henry he’s on my fantasy team and i need some unexpeced points!By rozman
September 16, 2008 1:16 AM | Link to this
bring back Chris Henry he’s on my fantasy team and i need some unexpeced points!