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09/18/2007 - (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Chalk the Bengals' 51-45 loss to the Browns on Sunday up as a fluke if you wish, Cincinnati fans, but be sure not to pick and choose the elements you'd like to keep.
If you're discounting the 328-yard, five-touchdown day of formerly anonymous Cleveland quarterback Derek Anderson, than you also have to admit Carson Palmer's 401-yard, six-TD day was something of an aberration.
Don't think the combined 14 catches, 246 yards, and three touchdowns that went to Browns targets Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards can happen again? Then wipe out Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh's combined 19 grabs, 278 yards, and four TDs.
The 211 rushing yard day of Browns running back Jamal Lewis can also go, if you'll allow Rudi Johnson's 118-yard day to be brushed aside along with it.
Oh sure, a proven Cincinnati offense is capable of putting up big numbers every time it steps on the field, that much we know. But the Bengals have also proven in their four years under head coach Marvin Lewis that they're more than capable of defensive meltdowns like the one experienced Sunday. It's all part of the same vexing package that will shadow the Bengals for the rest of the year, so try to enjoy the ride.
We should have seen this coming in August, when Lewis put a defense on the field that had very few measurable alterations to the one that ranked tied for last in the league against the pass and 30th overall last year.
Moving second-year man Ahmad Brooks to a full-time job at middle linebacker, placing Redskins castoff Lemar Marshall next to him on the strong side, and adding rookie cornerback Leon Hall to the secondary rotation wasn't about to transform last year's defense into a world-beating, or even steady one.
The flaws were masked in the opener against Baltimore, when the Ravens ended drives of their own accord by turning the ball over six times.
Knowing that protecting the ball meant beating the Bengals, the Browns' offensive game plan revolved around protecting the ball, and eventually beating the Bengals. In embarrassing, flag-football fashion, too.
"Obviously, it was not a very good performance," said Lewis. "We didn't play well in any of the three phases. It's very disappointing how we played defensively. We didn't play well on third down. We allowed them to rush for over 200 yards and we weren't very sharp. As the game went on we seemed to invent some things and tried to do too much individually. Offensively, we hung in there, although we didn't do as well on third down as we know we are capable of. We had chances, but came up a little short."
Bengals end Justin Smith had harsher words for his group, showing his frustration at being forced to work with a green unit.
"We scaled down the defense to play base stuff; we weren't on the same page," said Smith. "Anytime you do that in this league, you're going to see what happened today. Guys are too good, too fast, and too strong to not be where you're supposed to be. It's ridiculous and that's what we did all day."
Where do the Bengals go from here?
To Seattle, for starters, where Cincinnati will face a team fighting mad over a frustrating victory of its own. Getting things corrected in seven days against former Pro Bowlers Matt Hasselbeck, Shaun Alexander, and one-time Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch is going to be an extraordinarily difficult feat for Lewis' team, and looming just over the horizon is a Monday night meeting with New England in Week 4.
If the Bengals play the Patriots the way they did the Browns, look out, NFL scoring record, though noting the early date of the season, Lewis was still preaching patience in his Monday press conference
"As I've always said, you're never as good as you seem to be after a win, and never as bad as you seem to be after a loss," remarked Lewis. "So we just need to play football -- make our corrections and move forward."
LEWIS NOT HANGING CHAD?
Chad Johnson had a huge statistical outing against the Browns, turning in an 11-catch, 209-yard, two touchdown game that ranked as one of the best of the receiver's illustrious career.
The 11 receptions equaled a career-high, set against Detroit in 2005 and matched in a loss to San Diego last season. The 200-yard game was the second of his career, ranking just behind the 260-yard day against the Chargers.
Johnson now leads the NFL in receiving yards with 304 on the year.
Despite the performance, much of the talk after the game was in reference to comments ex-Steelers head coach Bill Cowher made on CBS' post-game show, when he remarked that he would not tolerate Johnson's post-touchdown shenanigans. On Sunday, Johnson jumped into the Cleveland stands following the second of his TDs.
Lewis was left to defend his star wideout when the dust settled on Monday, and also took some shots at Cowher's agenda.
"It's unfortunate [Cowher] said that because he would know better than that, because he knows me as well," Lewis said. "He's coached Chad in the Pro Bowl and all he had was glowing things to say about Chad. Now he's in a different position, where part of the job is to create controversy. It's unfortunate. Now he's in a position where he can create controversy."
In other Cincinnati receiver news, T.J. Houshmandzadeh's eight receptions give him 17 for the year, which is tied for the league lead along with New England's Randy Moss and Denver's Javon Walker as Week 3 begins.
PALMER PARADE
It was a bittersweet day for Palmer, more bitter than sweet due to the loss.
The six touchdown passes were a personal best for the former No. 1 pick, surpassing his previous high of four, set against Cleveland in 2004 and matched against the Steelers last season; and also topping the team mark of five established by Boomer Esiason in 1986 and matched by Esiason in 1989.
The 401 yards were the second-most of Palmer's career, bettered only by the 440 he put up in that infamous 49-41 loss to San Diego last season.
As in that defeat, Palmer was in no mood to celebrate afterward.
"This is one of the tougher losses," said Palmer, who now leads the NFL in touchdown passes with eight. "I thought we had this win. I thought for sure we would go down there and score at the end. I feel like I'm mourning over a loss."
NEXT UP
The all-time series between the Bengals and Seahawks is knotted, 8-8, with Cincinnati evening the series by virtue of a 27-24 home victory during the 2003 campaign. Seattle won the previous meeting, a 37-20 triumph at home in 1999. The Bengals are 0-2 in road games against the Seahawks since earning a 20-17 overtime win in the great Northwest in 1994.
Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren is 4-1 in his career against Cincinnati, including 3-0 while with Green Bay from 1992 through 1998. The Bengals' Lewis is 0-1 against both the Seahawks and Holmgren all-time.
<< Ravens must learn how to finish
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - This time around, the Ravens were the team begrudgingly
accepting their opponent's generous gifts.
In a 27-20 loss to Cincinnati six days prior, the Ravens committed six
turnovers, though the Bengals couldn't salt the game
<< Steelers Feasting On Early-Season Cupcakes
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Does Mike Tomlin coach in the NFL, or the Big Ten?
Because the Steelers' early-season schedule appears tailor-made to set the
first-year head coach up for immediate success, sort of like Penn State
opening the slate with a
<< Meltdown in Miami
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The final score may not indicate it, but the Miami Dolphins
were really in position to beat the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday.
The Dolphins were ahead 13-10 late in the third quarter, but three penalties
completely changed the
<< FIFA moves two games to avoid typhoon
Shanghai, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - FIFA decided on Tuesday to reschedule two
World Cup games because of Typhoon Wipha.
Wednesday's early game between Norway and Ghana in Group C was moved from
Shanghai to Hangzhou on Thursday. The gam
Give some love to the Sun Belt >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - There were more important games played
this past week than Oklahoma State at Troy and Minnesota at Florida Atlantic,
such as Kentucky topping Louisville and USC demolishing Nebraska, but the
number one story
Browns experience offensive explosion against Bengals >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Brady Quinn era might have to wait a little longer in
Cleveland.
After a disappointing opening-week loss to Pittsburgh, the Browns capped a
strange week with an unbelievable 51-45 win over the Cincinnati Bengals.
Fo
Sean Burke announces retirement from NHL >>
Toronto, ON (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Longtime goaltender Sean Burke announced his
retirement from the National Hockey League on Tuesday.
The well-traveled Burke appeared in 820 games over his 19-year career with the
New Jersey Devils, Hartford
Defense bails out defending champion Colts >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Even though Peyton Manning played up to his usual standards
on Sunday, it was the Indianapolis Colts' defense that saved the day in a
22-20 win over the AFC South-rival Tennessee Titans at LP Field.
Colts defensive coordin
In part two of MySportsbook.com’s draft preview, we’ll take a look at a division that was extremely disappointing last season: the NFC South. Many “experts” predicted the Panthers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course they could not even make the playoffs in an extremely weak NFC. The Saints definitely made up for the disappointing seasons of their NFC South brethren by exploding out of no where en route to the NFC Championship game. For the avid NFL gambler, it is imperative to pay attention to the NFL draft. Although free agency gets a ton of publicity, the successful franchises build their teams around the draft.
1. New Orleans Saints
Who would have thought this time last year that the Saints would be the favorites to win the NFC South for the 2007 campaign? New Orleans is loaded with firepower on the offensive side of the ball but with the exodus of Joe Horn they will most likely look to draft a WR on Day 1. Despite having the NFL’s 3rd ranked pass defense last season, the Saints will most likely upgrade their CB’s with one of their first two picks. Other possibilities for the Saints will be TE and DT. Because of where they will be selecting (27th), the Saints could go the “best available player” route which could net a LB.
Key additions: Eric Johnson TE, Troy Evans LB, David Patten WR
Key loses: Joe Horn WR,
Team needs: CB, WR, TE, LB, DT
Possible draftees: Aaron Ross CB Texas, Darrelle Revis CB Pitt, Ted Ginn Jr. WR OSU, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Chris Houston CB Arkansas, Greg Olsen TE Miami
2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL last season. With the signing of David Carr, expect the very first quarterback controversy to come out of Carolina if Jake Delhomme doesn’t rebound quickly from an average 2007 season. With veteran safety Mike Minter getting up there in age, they will look to draft a safety on Day 1 but probably not in the first round. LB is another need with the loss of Chris Draft to go along with Dan Morgan’s concussion problems. If TE Greg Olsen is still on the board, he might be too good to pass up despite their needs on the defensive side of the ball.
Key additions: David Carr QB
Key loses: Chris Draft LB
Team needs: LB, TE, S, OT
Possible draftees: Greg Olsen TE Miami, Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Levi Brown OT PSU
3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were another NFC South team to have a disappointing 2007 season. The Falcons have been plenty busy during the off season with plenty of players coming and going including a new head coach. The Falcons were able to improve their draft position with the trade of coveted backup QB Matt Schaub. High on the list of Day 1 needs will be a defensive end to replace Patrick Kerney and a hard hitting safety since Lawyer Milloy is nearing the end of his career. With an additional 2nd round pick, the Falcons could attempt to trade up to acquire local product WR Calvin Johnson.
Key additions: Joey Harrington QB, Toniu Fonoti OG, Joe Horn WR
Key loses: Justin Griffen RB, Patrick Kerney DE, Matt Lehr OG, Ashley Lelie WR, Matt Schaub QB
Team needs: DE, S, OT, WR, DT
Possible draftees: LaRon Landry S LSU, Amobi Okoye DT Louisville, Levi Brown OT PSU, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas, Alan Branch DT Michigan
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age really caught up to the Bucs last season. The Bucs still have plenty of household names on defense in Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks but the one thing those three have in common is unfortunately age. It is imperative for the Bucs to get much younger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball, WR Calvin Johnson is the most likely pick if he is still available when the Bucs pick at the four spot. This would suit Bucs’ faithful just fine as Johnson is widely considered the top talent in the draft and it is a position of need for the Bucs.
Key additions: Jeff Garcia QB, Kevin Carter DE, Torrie Cox CB, Cato June LB
Key loses: Dewayne White DE, Sean Mahan OG
Team needs: WR, LB, DE, CB (Youth on defense!)
Possible draftees: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech, Gains Adams DE Clemson, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas
It is never too early to start betting on the NFL. Log on to MySportsbook.com to checkout all of the NFL futures for the upcoming season. On the clock: the NFC North
Odds to win the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 8-5
Carolina Panthers 2-1
Atlanta Falcons 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2
Odds to win the NFC:
New Orleans Saints 13-2
Carolina Panthers 7-1
Atlanta Falcons 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-1
Odds to win the Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints 18-1
Carolina Panthers 20-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75-1
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