Cincinnati Bengals vs. Denver Broncos Recap

Gotta give it to those Bengals. Always finding new ways to break our hearts.

Actually, that’s an understatement. They just aren’t breaking hearts; they are ripping them out of our still-beating chests, Temple of Doom style.

You think by now, Bengals fans would be jaded toward this type of nonsense. Kimo Van Oelhoffen’s assault on Carson, the Brad St. Louis snap in Denver, Santonio Holmes racing towards the end zone in overtime to kill the Who-Deys playoff hopes…the list is long and undistinguished. Yet with a minute to go, it appeared the 2009 season would begin with a gutsy, tone-setting W, highlighted by a late 4 th quarter-comeback engineered by good ole #9. After a muffed kicked-off that left the Broncos starting at their own 13 with 30 seconds left, the Jungle smelled blooded, and called for the defense to deliver the final, crushing blow. Unfortunately, the crushing blow was served by Brandon Stokley, and Bengaldom was left to wonder, again, why the hell we follow such a franchise.

There were some positives to take away from the game. The defense performed as well as advertised (well, besides for that little detail of surrendering an 87-yard game-winning touchdown). However, let’s not begin to confuse this squad with the ’85 Bears. The Bengals did go up against Kyle Orton after all. And Kyle Orton sucks. Another plus was the health of Palmer, who showed no lingering effects of an ankle injury that kept him out of most of the preseason.

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As for negatives….well, where to start? With reference to play-calling…ugh. Every sporting media outlet had some take on the development of Chris Henry this preseason. Even Palmer weighed in, going so far as to call Henry “Randy Moss Jr.” So in typical Bengals-style, Bob Bratkowski decides to keep this athletic freak on the bench for most of the game, resulting in Henry finishing the contest with only one catch. Speaking of catches (or lack thereof), how ‘bout that “revamped” wide receiving corps? In a performance reminiscent of Paul Crewe trying to throw the game in The Longest Yard, Laveranues Coles practically looked like he was trying to drop passes thrown in his direction. It’s only been one game, but I’m starting to think this whole, “Letting T.J. go and replacing him with Coles for $3 million less” idea might backfire. Thank goodness Coles choose football instead of child care as a profession, or else we’d really have ourselves quit the dilemma. The offensive line was as bad as originally feared, and until Andre Smith stops eating entire Ponderosa buffets and gets on the field, it should only get worse. Oh, and did I mention Brandon freakin’ Stokley caught an 87-yard touchdown pass? Really, Brandon Stokley? What, was Ed McCaffrey not available?

It’s pretty transparent that I’m still fired up about Sunday’s transgressions. But this was a must-win for the Bengals. (And yes, only in Bengal-land does a Week 1 game necessitate “must-win” statues.) Now the team heads to Lambeau, followed by Pittsburgh in the Jungle. Very possible, if not likely, this team is looking at 0-3 out of the gate. Hopefully the team figures it out before heading to Wisconsin. If not, strap in for a long season.

By Joel Beall
ProFootball-fans.com Cincinnati Bengals Correspondent