Nothing is Finer Than Beating Carolina - Good Guys Win 17-14

In front of a sell-out crowd at Paul Brown Stadium, the Bengals narrowly defeated the Carolina Panthers on Sunday, snapping a two game losing streak.

This was a nerve wracking game.

The Bengals' offense didn't really show up in the first half, going 3 and out for their first four possessions. It was painful to watch mostly because the Bengals' D was definitely holding up their end of the bargain.

Since I'm not really the overall analysis type, lets just get to the good and the bad:

THE GOOD

• The Bengals finally used their tight ends as receivers this game, and it caught everyone off guard. Kelly and Stewart might not be the speediest guys in the league, or have the best hands, but they really got it done on Sunday. Combined, these two racked up five catches for 67 yards and were instrumental in a few big first downs. We've been wondering how the Bengals would disrupt the passing defense without Chris Henry, and yesterday the boys upstairs delivered.


• Speaking of helping out the passing game, how about that Chris Perry? Only four yards on the ground, but he added 3 catches for 26 very important yards in the air. I missed Chris Perry, and it's great to see him back. Those (including myself) who have been doubting the Bengals offensive prowess are reminded that we've been without a few key weapons the past few weeks. Yesterday, we got one of those weapons back.


• The Defense. These guys played a great game. A special tip of the hat to rookie linebacker Ahmad Brooks, who came through again this week with a sack and 5 tackles. That's one of the funny things about injuries: a guy who normally wouldn't get to start gets a chance to prove himself, and Mr. Brooks did just that. For the first time all season, the Bengals had constant, steady pressure on the quarterback (helped out, no doubt, but an insane number of blitzes). Madieu, Kaesviharn, and Jonathan Joesph all looked great and all contributed to this win.


• The 4th and 1 play. Not much left to say that hasn't already been said six times this morning by other, more talented writers, but DAMN. As Kirkendall said over at Cincy Jungle, "if this play doesn't work, Bengals offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski would be kindly regarded as the worst coordinator in NFL history." And he is absolutely right. But it did work, and the exciting, don't-blink-or-you-might-miss-it Bengals offense we've all missed lately came storming back into position. Welcome back, you bad motherfuckers. I missed you.


• Dexter Jackson is back. Although he didn't have any game-breaking plays, his presence on the field means a lot, and I felt much more comfortable knowing he was there to pick up any broken tackles by Tory James.


• Kudos to a banged up offensive line for coming through. Made some good holes for Rudi, gave Palmer more time to work his mojo. After giving up 639 sacks the past two games, they only gave up two yesterday. Huzzah to them.

THE BAD

• If Kaesviharn doesn't get that interception, and Keyshawn pulls in the pass for a touchdown, it's a whole different story. Our defense played incredibly yesterday, and I wish that our offense would have shown up earlier. This game could have been over by half time if Palmer and co. could convert a single first down in their first four possessions. That's just not good football.


• I've said it before, and I'll say it again, Tory James should not be our starting CB. Joseph has proven he's ready to start, and if Tory keeps blowing coverage, I think I'll get my wish sooner rather than later.


• You know, I'm just too happy to gloat on the Bengals' problems right now. I was ridiculously worried at halftime, but the boys in orange came through for the win. Rather than nitpick any more today, I'm going to savor this victory. Maybe I'll rag on them later.

WHO DEY!