Campy's Bengals Page
Bengals Finish 8-8
Marvin Lewis and Carson Palmer have the Bengals ready to take the next step.
(Article also available at Blue Chip Review)
Janurary 2nd, 2004
By: Matt McGowan
For the second
year in a row under head coach Marvin Lewis the Bengals were able to avoid a
losing season, this time by rolling over the Philadelphia Eagles 38-10 in front
of 67,074 disappointed fans at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia. Bengals
running back Rudi Johnson led the way with 99 yards rushing on 28 carries and
three touchdowns. The performance also gives Johnson a new Bengals single-season
record of 1,452 yards rushing, eclipsing Corey Dillon's franchise single-season
rushing mark of 1435 set in 2000.
After clinching home field advantage throughout the NFC
playoffs two weeks ago, the Eagles (13-3) decided to rest many of their starters
for the second week in a row. And for the second week in a row, it proved
costly. The Eagles committed five turnovers, including an interception thrown by
former Bengals Jeff Blake that was returned 36 yards for a touchdown by Bengals
rookie defensive end Robert Geathers, putting the Bengals up 24-3 late in the
third quarter. The score marked the fifth defensive touchdown for the Bengals
this season, tying the franchise record set in 1983.
The victory gives the Bengals their most victories in
back-to-back seasons since the Sam Wyche era, way back in 1989 and 1990. It also
establishes Cincinnati as a legitimate playoff contender going into next season,
after toiling for years among the bottom rung of the NFL. But in order for the
Bengals to make that next step in 2005, there are a few concerns that need to be
addressed this off-season.
Though the Bengals defense showed vast improvement this
season over last, the lack of a true run-stopping defensive tackle was a glaring
weakness many teams were able to exploit all year long. The team nearly landed
perennial Pro-Bowler Warren Sapp last off-season, but feel just short. They
can't allow that to happen this time, as they desperately need to upgrade their
run defense in order to compete in the tough AFC North in 2005. They will also
be in dire need of a new center next season, as Rich Braham's solid career looks
to be coming to an end.
But for now, 8-8 feels great. The Bengals showed great poise
this season just in making it to .500 considering the many injury setbacks to
key players and the overall toughness of their schedule. Quarterback Carson
Palmer has shown that he is the "real deal", and the play this season of rookies
like Landon Johnson, Keiwan Ratliff and Madieu Williams all points to a bright
future after years in the abyss for this franchise. Here's to taking the next
step in 2005!
GO BENGALS!!!
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Thanks again, and GO BENGALS!!!
Courtesy: NFL Network
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