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Cleo would like to be a Tuna Fish in 2008.

Week 17 -- (W) Bengals 38, Dolphins 25 --  This was a laugher on the scoreboard until the Dolphins' last minute 8 point TD to make it respectable, but the Bengals also led earlier at 28-10. Once again, Dublin Coffman's Chinedum Ndukwe led the defensive highlights, this time with a 54 yard fumble return for a TD off a botched Miami shotgun snap. Carson Palmer threw for 3 TDs and 316 yards, while T.J. Houshmandzadeh tied New England's Wes Welker for the 2007 NFL total receptions title. The Bengals, of course, managed to avoid double digit losses, finishing the season 7-9 after a 2-6 start. Preview -- Bengals at Dolphins -- Chad Johnson and the gang wrap up a disappointing 2007 campaign in his hometown of Miami on Sunday against the formerly feeble but now Parcelled 1-14 Fish. Cincinnati can avoid double digit losses and end the season with a rare winning streak with success against the Dolphins. It's Ocho Cinco's first NFL game in Miami. He is the Bengals' all-time leader in catches and yardage, but is down about the depressing season. Still, teammates maintain that he is integral to the Bengals and is a locker room favorite, so don't be quick to listen to the trade rumors. Mike Brown even indicates Johnson is here to stay, and he is signed through 2011. The Dolphins are more focused on the Bengal defense, though, as it is 27th ranked and giving up 350 yards per game, and are hoping the new combo of QB Cleo Lemon and WR Greg Camarillo can get a quick strike in. The Dolphins are also looking for young receivers Ted Ginn, Jr. (Ohio State) and Derek Hagan (Arizona State) to make their mark. Most of all, many of the Fish may feel like they are auditioning for a ride on the 2008 Tuna boat, so this may have the markings of a trap game. Bengal fans should remember that Miami did record a win just 2 weeks ago, and that 5 of their losses have been by only 3 points.

Big Bengal victory over the Brownies.

Week 16 -- (W) Bengals 19, Browns 14 -- A striped victory by virtue of Derek Anderson's temporary insanity defense at the end of the second quarter, when he threw two picks, one to Dublin Coffman's safety Chinedum Ndukwe.  Ndukwe made his first start of the year and recorded 9 tackles and also a second INT. In the course of a little over a minute a 6-0 Bengal lead sprung to 19-0 by halftime, thanks to Anderson's inattention. Kenny Watson led a revived rushing attack with 130 yards.The Bengal win means that Cleveland now must have the Titans lose to Jim Sorgi and the clinched Colts on 12/30 to make the playoffs as a wild card.  Browns/Bengals Preview -- Sometimes the only salve for the tiger's wounds is to feed his stomach, and this week it's some orange-hot Brownies. Cleveland of course has improved to 9-5 and counts a 51-45 week 2 victory over Cincinnati amongst its achievements. The Browns are looking to clinch a playoff berth in Paul Brown Stadium and perhaps even an AFC North title by the end of the year. However, Carson Palmer has lit up the Browns for 400 yards passing and 5 TD passes already this year, and that will be the Bengals' only hope for success on Sunday. It will have to be, as the Bengals are showing few signs of a running game besides occassional bursts from third-stringer DeDe Dorsey . . .

Joe did not face the Bengals Saturday night, it only seemed like it

Week 15 -- (L) Bengals 13,  49ers 20 (Sat. Night) --  No more details of the humiliating loss in the Bay to come. Sorry, fans, it's not worth it. Suffice it to say, Frank Gore ran roughshod over the shoddy Bengal defensive line, securing the San Francisco victory. The only Bengal glimmer was a 52 yard strike to Chris Henry. The Bengals are now assured of finishing under .500. Preview -- Well, this should be a ferocious battle if history has anything to do with it. Really, fans, both Bengal Super Bowl losses were to the 49ers, and each with close margins. What Bengal fan does not despise Joe Montana?! Bring back Chris Collinsworth and Anthony Munoz!! Ok, so Joe won't be playing Saturday night by the bay. Ok, so most of us won't be watching either, since this one is on NFL Network, which Time Warner and Comcast don't pick up. Ok, so this is perhaps the most unappealing game of the week. At least WBNS 10 didn't have to reject it for the mammoth Bills vs. Browns matchup. In short news, Willie Anderson (OT), Madieu Williams (S) and Rashead Jeanty (LB) did not practice.

Starting QB Brock Berlin of the Rams was last seen playing with the Miami Hurricanes.

Week 14 --(W)  Bengals 19, Rams 10 -- What wonders rain and a rookie QB will do for an ailing team! Cincinnati got 4 field goals from Shayne Graham and did not give up an offensive touchdown in securing its fifth win, this time over the ailing Rams. The tent has folded on the Greatest Show on Turf, folks. Stephen Jackson (RB) is really the only remaining Rams vestige, and he certainly showed up for 22 touches and 117 yards but with no supporting cast. And to think the Bengals once passed on Jackson in the draft. . . Finally, Rudi Johnson provided 91 yards and a TD, with an additional 81 from DeDe Dorsey, 45 on one burst. Brock Berlin failed to impress for St. Louis with only 153 yards and a pick. Despite two INTs (one returned for the only Rams TD), Carson Palmer hit essentially 75% of his passes. And so the hope for 8-8 marches on.  Preview 12/8 -- Here's a meaningless game, Bengal fans, but a chance for a win at home against 3-9 St. Louis. QB Mark Bulger will sit out with a concussion, and backup Gus Frerotte is questionable with a shoulder injury. It looks as if the Rams are set on starting Brock Berlin at QB. Berlin has taken no NFL snaps. Had the Rams not traded Ryan Fitzpatrick to the Bengals, he'd likely have the start. Willie Anderson may not play on the o-line for the Bengals, but it looks like T.J. Houshmandzadeh will be available to play despite a back injury. This will be a rivetting faceoff of eliminated sub-.500 teams in rainy December weather. Who could ask for anything more?!

Hines Ward has often victimized the Bengals.

Week 13 -- (L)  Steelers 24, Bengals 10 --   The Bengals managed little after an initial impressive drive that gave them a 7-0 lead, but somehow still found themselves at 17-10 late in the 3rd quarter. However, a number of missed opportunities deep in Steeler territory and a woeful 17 of 44 night for Carson Palmer doomed Cincinnati. Hines Ward dominated the Bengals for 11 catches, 90 yards and 2 TDs. Rudi Johnson did not get the running game going, being stuffed for 34 yards on 14 carries. Cincinnati failed to capitalize on 4 Steeler turnovers, and it was mainly due to Palmer's incompletion rate. To be sure, there was an inch of rain before the game, and the field conditions rivaled those of the previous game with the Fish, but both sides played on the same surface. Cincinnati just failed to take advantage of what was given to it, and ensured a non-winning season. 

Bengals and Steelers played another game of muddy night football on Sunday.

12/2 Steelers Preview -- If there's another major rain storm moving in, it must be getting ready for prime-time football in Pittsburgh. The Steelers again host a nationally televised night game, this time against our beloved Bengals, who are making their third of four night game appearances this year. The fourth is at San Fran and will be unavailable to Central Ohio cable subscribers as it will be broadcast only by the NFL network, as was last Thursday's top NFC matchup of Green Bay and Dallas. Heavy rain is forecasted to be moving into the Pittsburgh area today, perhaps with some snow mixed in. Just last Monday night, Heinz Field was oversaturated, but no changes have reportedly been made to the playing surface. The Steelers had brought in new sod before that game, but it was absolutely destroyed, as anyone who caught the MNF last minute 3-0 defeat of the 0-11 Miami Dolphins can tell you. The Steelers are coming off a loss to the lowly Jets and the narrow escape over the fish, but that may just spell bad news for Carson Palmer and the rest of the Cincinnati crew.  If the Bengals cannot establish Rudi Johnson. Kenny Watson and the running game, it may be a long Sunday night. The Steelers may well be without WR Santonio Holmes and S Troy Polamalu, which will help Cincy's chances. Cincinnati has won the last two matchups at Heinz Field. 

Tags: cincinnati bengals