It's Vikings week, still! I don't have much commentary this time, so here are some links.

• It's Wednesday, so I have some power rankings for you. In ESPN, we stay 5. At CBS, we move to 4. Hooray! We're in the top 13% of teams!
• Sadly, Shaun Smith is likely to return to the Bengals to fill the gargantuan void left by DT Domata Peko's absence due to knee surgery, says James Walker. Peko will be back for the Playoffs, whew.
• Scott Priestle tells us the deets about Peko's status. He also tells us that Carson is ready for the ridiculous crowd noise at the Metrodome.
• He ALSO tells us that Palmer and his wide receivers are out of sync. I agree, but it's interesting to see it from the perspective of a journalist and his access to professional athletes we love.
• Joe Reedy was a busy man, and he brings us much news. First, he tells us about the beloved Zimmer and his preparations for the Favres. Good read. His notes for the off-day include talks about penalty problems, Shaun Smith, and the playoffs.

Hi Norsemen and Norsewomen. I'd like to extend the invitation for you fans to ask me, a fan and blogger from CincyJungle, and my co-bloggers, any questions you might have about the Bengals so you can get to know the opposition before this weekend's Super Bowl preview. I look forward to informing you to the best of my ability.

I look forward to our teams' bout this weekend, as it could tell us a lot about how good the Bengals are - if they are simply a team that plays to the level of the competition, or if the passing attack is so deteriorated that we won't have a chance to make a playoff run. It'll also tell us how we run the ball against a good NFC defense, just how good our defense is against a juggernaut offense, and if we can protect Palmer against elite pass rushers.

Bring on the questions!

More photos » by David Kohl - AP

They're so cute when they win. (AP Photo/David Kohl)

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I've been so bored of Bengals games lately. And I'm not complaining (well, maybe a little) because for the most part, we're winning games. I've voiced my opinion in a few threads about the current brand of offense, which has been excused because the Bengals defeated the Browns and Lions. I contend that the Oakland game is case in point as to why this sort of offense isn't the answer, but alas, I digress. Our boys are 9-3, potentially one week away from sealing the AFC North, and have a blue print to beat the Vikings after their drubbing at the hands of Kurt Warner and his second greatest show on turf. Anyhow, here are some cool stories that mention the Bengals.

• Michael Johnson is a pretty nifty pass rusher, so says John Eradi, and that's just about all he's been asked to do so far this season. Many people have good things to say about the young third round defensive end, who should only become better with time, because he's phyiscally a freak of nature.
• Paul Daugherty, Cincinnati's most famous and probably most decorated sports journalist, says that these Bengals are not the best kind of 9-3. I guess the best kind of 9-3 would be 11-1 and not 9-3, but never the less, Doc says the Bengals need to figure out how to score, or this fairy tale season will have an unhappy ending. I'm inclined to agree, because this rush attack is bad at scoring points even if it is good at chewing up time. Need moar rhythm, moar points, plz.
• Joe Reedy recaps the game, and he includes a nifty little quote from our offensive coordinator, innovative genius, admitting that he may be running the ball on first and second down too predictably. WOW! The genius must be reading Cincy Jungle.
• Cedric Benson ran the ball a whole lot of times considering it was his first game back from injury. I guess the coaches didn't  think he deserved some rest, or forgot we had another bell cow in the stable, as Ced continued to take hits in the 4th quarter. Scott Priestle got Ced's take.
• Priestle also reminds us that there aren't any polls in the NFL, so it doesn't really matter how we win as long as we win. I contend that while there are not polls, it matters how we win, because if we can't throw the ball and find BALANCE, we can't beat the Colts or Saints. Just my opinion.
• CNati.com provides excellent photography at every Bengals game. 
• Not much coverage of the Bengals in national media. Here are post-game quotes, and that's about all I got.

More photos » by David Kohl - AP

13 days ago: Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Quan Cosby (12) tries to get out of the grasp of Detroit Lions linebacker Zack Follett (49) while running the ball during the first half of their NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Dec. 6, 2009. (AP Photo/David Kohl)

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The Bengals won another snoozefest this week against another awful team, reminiscent of last week's boring win against the awful Browns. But, hey, a win is a win, and a winning season we have secured as the Bengals improved to 9-3 with 4 games to play.

Carson Palmer turned the ball over 3 times. The defense played pretty well, including making a few take aways of its own and scoring a touchdown to help carry the Bengals to victory. Penalties were rampant and a problem. Tackling was a problem at times, too. But the Bengals took care of business, I guess, and style points don't really matter at this point to anyone but the pundits.

Here are some stats, because I'm bored and complacent since the Bengals won easily. Oh yeah, some notable notes... Bengals are the first team ever to have 3 different backs go for over 100 yards in 3 straight games, and they've recorded the biggest 12 game turnaround ever (from 2-11-1 to 9-3).

• Penalties: CIN - 9: 75, DET - 7:45
• Time of Possession: CIN - 38:48, DET - 21:12
  
• First Downs: CIN - 22, DET - 14
  
• 3rd Downs: CIN - 6/15, DET - 2/11
  
• Rushing: CIN - 41 carries, 122 yards, 3.0 ypc, DET - 20 carries, 80 yards, 4 ypc
  
• Passing: CIN - 17/29, 220, 7.9, 1 TD, 2 INT , DET - 13/29, 192, 5.7 ypc, 1 TD, 2 INT
• QB Pressure (Sacks/Hits): CIN - 3/8 , DET - 2/3
• Secondary (Int/Passes Defensed): CIN - 2/8, DET - 2/5

More photos » by David Kohl - AP

20 days ago: Cincinnati Bengals guard Bobbie Williams (63) greets fans after his team defeated the Cleveland Browns 16-7 in an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/David Kohl)

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Pretty lackluster first half from the offense against the woeful Detroit defense outside of the big play to Chad Ochocinco on playaction in the second quarter. The good news is the defense is still pretty good, outside of giving up a big pass to Calvin Johnson. Pressure has been decent, coverage has been excellent, and tackling seems to be improving as time goes on. Even the offense heated up at the end of the second half, with Carson Palmer going 5/7 for 73 and a TD after starting 2/6 with an interception.

The Lions got the ball back with just over 2:00 to go, and the Bengals played to get the ball back before the half, and the Lions were forced to punt after some incomplete passes with 1:19 left in the half, and Cincinnati took the ball with 1:08 left at the 38 yard line. Palmer took a sack, Detroit took a time out, :59 left. Palmer to Coles for 11 at the 49, snap with :38. Palmer throws deep to wide open Chad Ochocinco with :30 left, marching into Lions territory. Carson was forced to run it, and managed to spike the ball and stop the clock with :14 seconds, and following a delay of game penalty, Shayne Graham booted a 44 yard field goal to push the Bengals lead to 10.

Some causes for concern in the first half - offensive line and penalties. Carson was under durress far more than we expected him to be against the worst pass defense in the league, and the Bengals were flagged, well, a lot, giving up 50 yards on 6 penalties in the first half. The Lions' only points of the game came after a false start and a hold. We're also only averaging 3.0 yards per carry, which isn't so good.

Causes for optimism - Carson was much hotter toward the end of the second quarter. The defense continues to play well. We're playing the Lions. It's our ball first in the 3rd quarter and we're winning by 10. We've scored more points than our defense gives up per game, and the Lions' offense isn't exactly a juggernaut.

Stats of interest:

• Time Of Possession: CIN - 16:31, DET - 13:29
• Penalties: CIN - 6:50, DET - 4:30
• Total Plays: CIN - 33, DET - 33
• Yards (Passing/Rushing): CIN - 174 (126/48), DET - 142 (88/54)
• 3rd Down Efficiency: CIN - 2/5, DET - 2/8
• 1st Downs: CIN - 12, DET - 9

Kind of even, huh? Hopefully the second half is a little more favorable to the boys in black.

More photos » by David Kohl - AP

20 days ago: Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga holds up a sign to fans after his team defeated the Cleveland Browns 16-7 in their NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Nov. 29, 2009. (AP Photo/David Kohl)

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Another dull week in Bengaldome, in my opinion. Boring win over a bad team with another bad team coming to town this weekend. Game still isn't sold out, might not sell out unless the Bengals eat a decent amount of the remaining tickets. Bengals heavy favorites, still talking about getting respect despite being a top team in the AFC by record. I think we've heard this before.

Anyway, here are a few links.

• Power rankings! CBS: 5. Fox: 4. Yahoo: 6. ESPN: 5.
• Chris Chase lists his 10 top plays of the decade in the NFL. The Bengals weren't involved in any of them, perhaps unsurprisingly.
• Pete Prisco gave the Bengals a B- for their win over the Browns. The cumulative GPA is down to a 2.95.
• Charles Robinson says the Bengals have been flying under the radar. Are we the best team in the NFL that no one is talking about? Cool video from Yahoo! Sports. We apparently have to win playoff games to get respect, despite the fact that we have the best scoring defense in the league.
• Joe Reedy reports on some major storylines, including that Mike Zimmer is happy with the defense. I would be too, it's the best in the league.
  

More photos » by Marcio Jose Sanchez - AP

Does this look like a guy that's going to lose again? (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

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This is going to have to be short. Sorry, I'm sick and writing a thesis.

• Very cool story on Johnathan Fanene by John Eradi for the Enquirer. Read it if you didn't get the chance! This guy was a 7th round gem, not unlike late-round picks Ndukwe and Houshmandzadeh (they turned out pretty good, huh?), who has cracked the starting lineup and has been majorly productive. Coach Lewis says he's made the most progress of any Bengal player this year!
• Power rankings. Bengals fall to 6 from 4 in CBS's rankings, getting a generous C- grade from Pete Prisco after they blew things in Oakland.
• In ESPN's rankings, The Bengals fell to 7 from 4, with New England, Arizona, and San Diego moving ahead. We'll have a chance to play San Diego in a few weeks to prove these rankings wrong. I guess losing to Oakland does that to a team's prestige.
• Washington Post's Les Carpenter writes that the Bengals are an "arresting story" this year in a good way! That's cute.

More photos » by Marcio Jose Sanchez - AP

Who do we blame for the loss? Larry Johnson? (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)

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So, I don't really have anything to say about this one. We dominated every phase of the game but turned the ball over at some very inopportune times, including Andre Caldwell's fumble kickoff, and Jeremi Johnson's fumble in the red zone. Shayne  Graham also missed a field goal that was about 35 yards long. Feel free to continue discussing the loss here, I really don't have anything to say about it, I'm too disgusted. The Bengals did not play a complete game and made terrible mistakes down the stretch, including a dropped interception by Johnathan Joseph, and did not put the game away.

Unbelievable. Enjoy the gift Oakland, Pittsburgh, and the rest of the AFC. The Bengals really served this one up on a platter.

More photos » by Paul Sakuma - AP

27 days ago: Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer (9) scores a touchdown as Oakland Raiders defensive end Greg Ellis (99) in unable to stop him in the first quarter an NFL football game in Oakland, Calif., Sunday, Nov. 22, 2009. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)

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So far, not too great for Cincinnati on the scoreboard. Or on the football field, it turns out, as the injury bug continued to bite the Bengals at the end of the 2nd quarter. Andrew Whitworth limped off the field after a collision with Carson Palmer. Then they just got all conservative, and stuff, and stopped trying to score points with only 43 seconds left in the half. As a result, the Bengals gave the Raiders enough time to take a 57-yard field goal attempt that Janikowski missed wide left. The point is, it was almost 10 points in 1 minute because of conservative play calling. That's awful. Marvin really needs to light a fire under the boys in the second half or this game could go south.

Statistically, it was a pretty good half for the Bengals on both sides of the football. The boys in orange and black possessed the ball for over 21 minutes to Oakland's under 9 minutes of possession. Carson Palmer, however, has only thrown the ball 10 times (completed 8) for 12.9 yards per pass. Hmmm... Meanwhile, the Bengals have rushed the ball 25 times for 3.3 yards per carry. Hmmm... I wonder if Bob Bratkowski is privy to these stats. I know we ran the ball down their throats on one drive, but you can't get that conservative. You have to score more points, you can't stop trying to score points. These guys really need to step their game up in the second half.

Other stats: 0 sacks, 0 QB hits for the Bengals (and 1 tackle for a loss). 1 sack for Oakland (and 6 tackles for a loss).

Bruce Gradkowski, Bengal killer, is 9/15 for 74 yards and a TD, much of that coming on dump-offs to wide open receivers that had room to run underneath. All that is good for a 94.9 passer rating. What is it about this guy against the Bengals?

In unsurprising news, the Bengals can't cover TE Zach Miller, and he's really been the Raiders' biggest weapon. Here's hoping the second half goes our way, these guys really need to get the foot back on the gas and put this one away.

by Keith Srakocic - AP

The brave few that ventured into Heinz Field. The 3. WE ARE BENGALS!!!!! (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

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Your Cincinnati Bengals are 7-2, leading the division by effectively 2 games with 7 to play. They just got done shutting down Big Ben Roethlisberger and those hated Pittsburgh Steelers (video highlights here and here) Four of those remaining opponents combine for a 6-29 record. The other three may be difficult games, but they're winnable (with the quality of our defense, everything is winnable), at Minnesota, at San Diego, and at the New York Jets. The Bengals are right in the thick of things at the top of the AFC playoff bracket. If the season ended today, the Bengals are the second best team in the AFC, and would be the #2 seed with a first-round bye.

After the jump, MANY links and notes in narrative form!

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