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 > November > 02 > Entry
Bengals-Jaguars gamer
Benson
Fitzpatrick
Fourth-year QB Ryan Fitzpatrick secured his first career victory as a starter in the Bengals’ 21-19 victory over the visiting Jaguars.
Fitzpatrick passed for 162 yards and two TDs to Chad Ocho Cinco (2 and 10 yards) as the club snapped an eight-game losing streak and began the season’s second half on a positive note heading into its bye.
TB Cedric Benson (24 carries, 104 yards, 1 TD) delivered his third career 100-yard rushing performance and his first with the Bengals, who signed him on Sept. 30.
LCB Johnathan Joseph was the brightest star on defense, generating a game-high 15 tackles (11 solos) to go with two swatted passes.
Joseph and FS Marvin White combined for a critical pass breakup as Jaguars QB David Garrard tried to thread a pass to WR Jerry Porter on the potential game-tying, 2-point conversion that fell incomplete.
The game was marred by a third-quarter fight between Jaguars DT John Henderson and Bengals LG Andrew Whitworth that triggered both players’ ejections.
Whitworth defended himself as Henderson ripped off Whitworth’s helmet and gouged at Whitworth’s eyes.
Time-wise, the Bengals led more against the Jaguars (47 minutes, 28 seconds) than all eight previous games combined (43:20).
Cedric Benson had accomplished the feat twice before as a member of the Chicago Bears, so it was nothing new to him.
But his third career 100-yard rushing performance was his first for Cincinnati, and it helped the Bengals defeat the Jacksonville Jaguars, 21-19, on Sunday.
“It feels great getting my first 100-yard game of the year,” he said. “I can’t say enough about the guys up front taking control of the game and setting the tempo.
“The defense gave us a chance to be on the field a lot more and played great. OC (offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski) was calling the runs; we were executing them; and the offensive line did a great job of leading the way.”
Kenny Watson had the honor of turning in the most recent 100-yard effort (30 carries, 130 yards) on Dec. 23, 2007, against Cleveland.
Then along came Benson, who joined the Bengals on Sept. 30 as a free agent. He finally hit the 100-yard plateau in his third straight start, darting in, around and through the Jaguars defense 24 times for 104 yards (a 4.3 average) and a TD with a long gain of 30.
Benson appreciated all the snaps.
“No question,” he said, “especially when the guys up front are taking over like they did. Those guys are important when they are playing their game. When they are controlling the line, all you want to do is run the ball.”
The Bengals got what they wanted — a victory heading into their bye week. Benson will take advantage of it with some well-deserved rest and relaxation.
“Being 1-8 is a lot of mental strain,” he said. “Guys are frustrated — from the staff all the way down to the equipment manager — and trying to figure out what they can do better.
“If it doesn’t get better, there is a tendency to put a lot of pressure on yourself and drain yourself along with all the outside forces that are trying to take your energy, too. At the same time, coaches are thinking we need more time on the practice field — that we need to work harder — and you are getting abused in all kinds of ways. The bye week couldn’t come at a better time to get a chance to get rested.”
Wide receiver Glenn Holt wasn’t in much of a celebratory mood after the Bengals’ 21-19 victory over Jacksonville on Sunday.
He nearly wore goat horns because his fourth-quarter fumble triggered the Jaguars’ comeback from a 21-3 deficit. But Holt was saved by his teammates.
“Winning is the greatest feeling ever,” he said. “But I kind of feel left out.”
Kiss on the cheek
What’s the deal with Ocho Cinco kissing Lewis on the cheek on the sidelines?
“I guess that’s his way to tell me to relax,” Lewis said. “No, it doesn’t work, obviously.”
Quick hitters
—-Time-wise, the Bengals led more on Sunday (47 minutes, 28 seconds) than all eight previous games combined (43:20).
—-Owens’ heroics marked the first fumble return for a TD against the Bengals since Chris McAlister’s 64 yarder at Baltimore on Dec. 5, 2004.
—-Safety Chris Crocker is 1-0 as a Bengal. “I might be a good luck charm,” he said.
—-Cedric Benson on the John Henderson-Andrew Whitworth fight: “I was thinking I better stay out of the way.”
Contact cludwig@DaytonDailyNews.com
Permalink | Comments (10) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By John
November 2, 2008 11:53 PM | Link to this
Chick from an Aug. 29th post… “Ryan Fitzpatrick — I’ll say it until I’m blue in the face — is going to be a starter in the NFL in 2009. But it won’t be for the Bengals. The performance he put on film this entire preseason (24 of 35 passing for 218 yards, 2 TDs, no interceptions and a 104.2 passer rating, PLUS 9 rushes for 79 yards (8.8) was nothing short of spectacular”. Today, RF seemed more like the QB our Chickster wrote about back then. Seems the running game took some pressure off the QB. Our Bengals still seemed to run out of energy late in the game. Today the clock ran out first, while Cincinnati still had the lead in the game. (P.S. Chick, you can shave now).By Brian
November 3, 2008 6:30 AM | Link to this
Now that the Bengals have blown the march for perfection, it’s on to the usual fluking out an additional hollow victory or two. Consequently, Mike Brown will claim the team has “momentum heading into next season,” bring back the entire coaching staff, not hire a general manager or additional scouts, and sit out free agency. Savor the victory folks!By JimB
November 3, 2008 7:03 AM | Link to this
Gotta love Andrew Whitworth and the heart he showed. If all the Bengals camme to the tumble reeady to rumble we’d probably have a winning record. That’s more heart than I’ve seen on display all year!By Pete
November 3, 2008 7:40 AM | Link to this
This is exactly what MB was waiting on so that the loyalist fans will continue to come out & throw unmentionable amounts of money his way. Who’s up for 2009 season tix???By Guru
November 3, 2008 9:02 AM | Link to this
WOW 1-8 any Moron who thinks this team has turned a corner should be sent to Guantonimo!! This is just what the doctor ordered for ole Mike and they will spout the usual about this fluke they almost loast this one… not to mention Mike Brown doesn’t want the #1 over all in the draft he will have to pay them too much!! Just keep an eye on this team see what transpires… watch other teams and how their body language is on the feild they know how to win and they show it… I watched the Titans pull that game out with that attitude the Bengals have never had that Swagger or “know how” to win and it starts at the top!!By John
November 3, 2008 12:46 PM | Link to this
64,238 spectators at Paul Brown Stadium. This is the only statistic MB watches each Sunday. Then he counts his money the rest of the week.By John
November 3, 2008 12:54 PM | Link to this
Quit it already. Complaining about Mike Brown is like complaining about gravity - he isn’t going anywhere. Good grief let us enjoy a victory and stop the constant griping. You sound like my wife when she is in one of her moods. It isn’t like our record, 0-16 or 16-0, will make any difference to MB. I just enjoyed the victory and will watch the next game hopeing for another one. If you think MB is going to change you are delusional.By VietVet
November 3, 2008 1:38 PM | Link to this
Allen Cutler said after the game-“it’s a great day to be a Bengals fan”.Davy Lapham and Bradly, his hansomeness,were giddy with delight and the locker room was not the morgue it usually is. I was fully expecting some dumb die-hard loser of a fan to yell “we’ve got a chance at the playoffs” or something to that effect on the post game phone calls. Fortunately, that call never came. Next up- Philadelphia,Wash., Pittsburgh,Cleveland and others. Whoops- back to losing again.So much for feeling good for the moment.What a circus!By Hudepohl Dey
November 3, 2008 2:15 PM | Link to this
I don’t wanna toot the Bengals horn for winning, i’m happy the won, but i’m still unsatisfied with this season. Nevertheless, i will say this: Pat Sims is coming into his own in the trenches, he’s an animal. I can’t wait to see him the second half of the season.By Dylan
November 3, 2008 9:17 PM | Link to this
To hell with Obama & McCain. VOTE WHITWORTH!