2008 Cincinnati Bengals season

2008 Cincinnati Bengals season
Head coach Marvin Lewis
Owner Mike Brown
Home field Paul Brown Stadium
Results
Record 4–11–1
Division place 3rd AFC North
Playoff finish did not qualify
Pro Bowlers 0
Uniform

The 2008 Cincinnati Bengals season was the 39th season for the team in the National Football League and their 41st overall season. The team finished the season with 4 wins, 11 losses, and 1 tie, and did not qualify for the playoffs for the 3rd consecutive year.

Offseason

Coaching changes

This season marked head coach Marvin Lewis's sixth year with the Bengals. His offensive coordinator, Bob Bratkowski, remained with the team, but his defensive coordinator from 2007–08, Chuck Bresnahan, was not retained. He was replaced by Mike Zimmer and Jeff FitzGerald replaced Ricky Hunley as linebacker coach.

Season theme

Typically Lewis has had a theme for the upcoming season for the team to rally around. For the 2008 season it was "Now" [1]

Departures

The Bengals visit the New York Giants at Giants Stadium, September 21

Signings

NFL Draft

Main article: 2008 NFL Draft

The Bengals gained an additional four picks for compensation of losing certain players.

2008 Cincinnati Bengals draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 9 Keith Rivers  Linebacker USC
2 46 Jerome Simpson  Wide receiver Coastal Carolina
3 77 Pat Sims  Defensive tackle Auburn
3 97 Andre Caldwell  Wide receiver Florida compensatory selection
4 112 Anthony Collins  Offensive tackle Kansas
5 145 Jason Shirley  Defensive tackle Fresno State
6 177 Corey Lynch  Safety Appalachian State
6 207 Matt Sherry  Tight end Villanova compensatory selection
7 244 Angelo Craig  Defensive end Cincinnati compensatory selection
7 246 Mario Urrutia  Wide receiver Louisville compensatory selection
      Made roster  

[2]

Schedule

Preseason

Game Date Opponent Result Game site TV NFL Recap
1 August 11, 2008 Green Bay Packers W 20–17 Lambeau Field ESPN Recap
2 August 17, 2008 Detroit Lions L 27–10 Paul Brown Stadium ESPN Recap
3 August 23, 2008 New Orleans Saints L 13–0 Paul Brown Stadium ESPN Recap
4 August 23, 2008 Indianapolis Colts W 27–7 Lucas Oil Stadium ESPN Recap

Regular season

Week Date Time (ET) Opponent Result Record Game site TV NFL Recap
1 September 7, 2008 1:00 P.M. at Baltimore Ravens L 17–10 0–1–0 M&T Bank Stadium CBS Recap
2 September 14, 2008 1:00 P.M. Tennessee Titans L 24–7 0–2–0 Paul Brown Stadium CBS Recap
3 September 21, 2008 1:00 P.M. at New York Giants L 26–23 0–3–0 Giants Stadium CBS Recap
4 September 28, 2008 1:00 P.M. Cleveland Browns L 20–12 0–4–0 Paul Brown Stadium CBS Recap
5 October 5, 2008 4:15 P.M. at Dallas Cowboys L 31–22 0–5–0 Texas Stadium CBS Recap
6 October 12, 2008 1:00 P.M. at New York Jets L 26–14 0–6–0 Giants Stadium CBS Recap
7 October 19, 2008 1:00 P.M. Pittsburgh Steelers L 38–10 0–7–0 Paul Brown Stadium CBS Recap
8[a] October 26, 2008 4:05 P.M. at Houston Texans L 35–6 0–8–0 Reliant Stadium CBS Recap
9 November 2, 2008 1:00 P.M. Jacksonville Jaguars W 21–19 1–8–0 Paul Brown Stadium CBS Recap
10[a] Bye
11 November 16, 2008 1:00 P.M. Philadelphia Eagles T 13–13 (OT) 1–8–1 Paul Brown Stadium FOX Recap
12 November 20, 2008 8:15 P.M. at Pittsburgh Steelers L 27–10 1–9–1 Heinz Field NFLN Recap
13 November 30, 2008 1:00 P.M. Baltimore Ravens L 34–3 1–10–1 Paul Brown Stadium CBS Recap
14 December 7, 2008 1:00 P.M. at Indianapolis Colts L 35–3 1–11–1 Lucas Oil Stadium CBS Recap
15 December 14, 2008 1:00 P.M. Washington Redskins W 20–13 2–11–1 Paul Brown Stadium FOX Recap
16 December 21, 2008 1:00 P.M. at Cleveland Browns W 14–0 3–11–1 Cleveland Browns Stadium CBS Recap
17 December 28, 2008 1:00 P.M. Kansas City Chiefs W 16–6 4–11–1 Paul Brown Stadium CBS Recap
a The Bengals-Texans game was moved from Week 10 to Week 8 to accommodate schedule changes needed as a result of damage to Reliant Stadium as a result of Hurricane Ike.[3]

Standings

AFC North
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(2) Pittsburgh Steelers 12 4 0 .750 6–0 10–2 347 223 W1
(6) Baltimore Ravens 11 5 0 .688 4–2 8–4 385 244 W2
Cincinnati Bengals 4 11 1 .281 1–5 3–9 204 364 W3
Cleveland Browns 4 12 0 .250 1–5 3–9 232 350 L6

Regular season results

Week 1: at Baltimore Ravens

1 2 34Total
Bengals 0 3 0710
Ravens 7 3 7017

at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland

Starter, Dexter Jackson, was inactive due to injury.

The Bengals began their 2008 campaign on the road against their AFC North foe, the Baltimore Ravens. In the first quarter, Cincinnati trailed early as Ravens WR Mark Clayton turned a double reverse play into a 42-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Bengals continued to struggle as kicker Matt Stover gave Baltimore a 21-yard field goal. Cincinnati would reply as kicker Shayne Graham nailed a 43-yard field goal. However, in the third quarter, the Bengals continued to show their dismal defense as Ravens QB Joe Flacco got a 38-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, the Bengals tried to rally as CB Johnathan Joseph returned a fumble 65 yards for a touchdown. However, Baltimore's defense stiffened and held on for the win.

With the loss, Cincinnati began their season at 0–1.

Week 2: vs. Tennessee Titans

1 2 34Total
Titans 0 14 3724
Bengals 0 7 007

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Starter Dexter Jackson was inactive for the game due to injury.

Hoping to rebound from their divisional road loss to the Ravens, the Bengals played their Week 2 home opener against the Tennessee Titans. At the beginning of the game the winds were marked at 20 mph and picked up intensity as the game continued, with gusts to hurricane force at times due to the passage of the remnants of Hurricane Ike. After a scoreless first quarter, Cincinnati trailed as Titans RB LenDale White got a 1-yard TD run. The Bengals would respond with RB Chris Perry getting his first career TD on a 13-yard run. However, Tennessee would begin its domination with QB Kerry Collins completing an 11-yard TD pass to WR Justin Gage. In the third quarter, Cincinnati continued to struggle as kicker Rob Bironas nailed a 34-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Titans sealed the win with LB Keith Bulluck blocking and recovering a punt within Cincy's endzone for a touchdown.

During the game, the wind was such a factor that it aided the Titan's punter who, with a quick 1-step drop, kicked a punt travelling 70 yards past scrimmage before hitting the ground. It appeared to contribute to difficulties with short passes and long snaps.

With the loss, the Bengals fell to 0–2.

Week 3: at New York Giants

1 2 34OTTotal
Bengals 3 10 010023
Giants 0 10 310326

at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Starters Ben Utecht, Johnathan Joseph, & Dexter Jackson, were inactive for the game due to injuries.

Trying to snap their two-game losing skid, the Bengals flew to Giants Stadium for a Week 3 matchup with the defending Super Bowl champions, the New York Giants. In the first quarter, Cincinnati scratched first with kicker Shayne Graham getting a 22-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Giants responded with RB Brandon Jacobs getting a 1-yard TD run. The Bengals would strike back with RB Chris Perry getting a 25-yard TD run. New York tied the game with kicker John Carney getting a 24-yard field goal, yet Cincinnati would close out the half with Graham's 30-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, the Giants would tie the game with Carney kicking a 46-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, New York would take the lead with Carney's 26-yard field goal. The Bengals would reclaim its lead with QB Carson Palmer completing a 17-yard TD pass to WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh. The Giants responded with QB Eli Manning completing a 4-yard TD pass to TE Kevin Boss, yet Cincinnati tied the game with Graham's 21-yard field goal. However, in overtime, New York came out on top as Carney nailing the game-winning 22-yard field goal.

With the loss, the Bengals fell to 0–3 as they prepared to face the Cleveland Browns the next game who were also 0–3.

Week 4: vs. Cleveland Browns

1 2 34Total
Browns 3 0 01720
Bengals 0 6 0612

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Still searching for their first win, the Bengals went home for a Week 4 AFC North duel with the Cleveland Browns in Round 1 of 2008's Battle of Ohio. With QB Carson Palmer out with a sore right elbow, back-up QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was named the starter.

In the first quarter, Cincinnati trailed early as Browns kicker Phil Dawson got a 25-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Bengals took the lead with kicker Shayne Graham getting a 42-yard and a 45-yard field goal. After a scoreless third quarter, Cleveland regained the lead in the fourth quarter with QB Derek Anderson completing a 4-yard TD pass to WR Braylon Edwards, along with RB Jamal Lewis getting a 1-yard TD run. Cincinnati would respond with Fitzpatrick completing a 4-yard TD pass to WR Chad Ocho Cinco, yet the Browns pulled away with Dawson nailing a 29-yard field goal.

With yet another loss, the Bengals fell to 0–4 while the Browns improved to 1–3.

Week 5: at Dallas Cowboys

1 2 34Total
Bengals 0 6 7922
Cowboys 10 7 01431

at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas

Still searching for their first win, the Bengals flew to Texas Stadium for a Week 5 interconference duel with the Dallas Cowboys. In the first quarter, Cincinnati trailed early as Cowboys kicker Nick Folk got a 30-yard field goal, along with RB Felix Jones getting a 33-yard TD run. In the second quarter, Dallas increased its lead as QB Tony Romo completed a 4-yard TD pass to TE Jason Witten. The Bengals would end the half with kicker Shayne Graham getting a 41-yard and a 31-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, Cincinnati tried to rally as QB Carson Palmer completed an 18-yard TD pass to WR T. J. Houshmandzadeh. In the fourth quarter, the Bengals got closer as Graham got a 40-yard field goal, yet the Cowboys answered with Romo completing a 57-yard TD pass to WR Terrell Owens. Cincinnati tried to come back as Palmer completed a 10-yard TD pass to Houshmandzadeh (with a failed 2-point conversion), but Dallas pulled away with Romo completing a 15-yard TD pass to WR Patrick Crayton.

With the loss, the Bengals fell to 0–5.

Week 6: at New York Jets

1 2 34Total
Bengals 7 7 0014
Jets 7 10 3626

at The Meadowlands, East Rutherford, New Jersey

Still looking for their first win, the Bengals flew to The Meadowlands for a Week 6 duel with the throwback-clad New York Jets. With QB Carson Palmer out again nursing an injured elbow, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was again named the starter.

In the first quarter, Cincinnati pounced first as strong safety Chinedum Ndukwe returned a fumble 15 yards for a touchdown. The Jets responded with QB Brett Favre completing a 2-yard TD pass to RB Thomas Jones. In the second quarter, New York took the lead as kicker Jay Feely got a 38-yard field goal, while Jones got a 7-yard TD run. The Bengals closed out the half with Fitzpatrick getting a 1-yard TD run.

In the third quarter, the Jets began to pull away as Feely got a 43-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, New York sealed the win as Jones got a 1-yard TD run (with a failed 2-point conversion).

With the loss, Cincinnati fell to 0–6 and it became their first 0–6 start as well as 6-game losing streak since 2002.

Week 7: vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

1 2 34Total
Steelers 10 0 72138
Bengals 0 7 3010

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Still searching for their first win of the season, the Bengals went home for a Week 7 AFC North duel with the Pittsburgh Steelers. With Carson Palmer still out with a sore elbow, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was given the start.

In the first quarter, Cincinnati trailed early as Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger completed a 2-yard TD pass to RB Mewelde Moore, along with kicker Jeff Reed getting a 21-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Bengals answered with Fitzpatrick completing a 5-yard TD pass to WR Chad Ocho Cinco. In the third quarter, Pittsburgh responded with Moore getting a 13-yard TD run. Cincinnati would respond with kicker Dave Rayner nailing a 26-yard field goal. However, in the fourth quarter, the Steelers pulled away with Roethlisberger completing a 50-yard TD pass to WR Nate Washington, Moore getting a 2-yard TD run, and QB Byron Leftwich completing a 16-yard TD pass to WR Hines Ward. Earlier in the game, Ward destroyed Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers with a vicious legal hit, breaking Rivers' jaw.

With the loss, Cincinnati dropped to 0–7.

Week 8: at Houston Texans

1 2 34Total
Bengals 3 3 006
Texans 7 7 14735

at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas

Still trying to acquire their first win of the season, the Bengals flew to Reliant Stadium for a Week 8 duel with the Houston Texans. In the first quarter, Cincinnati's struggles continued as Texans WR Jacoby Jones returned a punt 73 yards for a touchdown. The Bengals responded with kicker Shayne Graham getting a 43-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Houston increased its lead as QB Matt Schaub completed a 6-yard TD pass to WR David Anderson. Cincinnati closed out the half with Graham nailing a 32-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, the Texans began to pull away as Schaub completed a 7-yard and a 39-yard TD pass to WR Kevin Walter. In the fourth quarter, Houston sealed the win with RB Steve Slaton getting a 20-yard TD run.

With yet another loss, the Bengals would fall to 0–8 and start a season with such a record for the first time since 1994.

Week 9: vs. Jacksonville Jaguars

1 2 34Total
Jaguars 0 3 01619
Bengals 7 7 7021

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Still looking for their first win of the season, the Bengals went home, donned their alternate uniforms, and played a Week 9 duel with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In the first quarter, Cincinnati clawed first as QB Ryan Fitzpatrick completed a 2-yard TD pass to WR Chad Ocho Cinco. In the second quarter, the Bengals increased their lead as Fitzpatrick hooked up with Ocho Cinco again on a 10-yard TD pass. The Jaguars would end the half on kicker Josh Scobee's 52-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, Cincinnati continued its hot streak as RB Cedric Benson got a 7-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, Jacksonville began to rally as Scobee nailed a 26-yard field goal, FB Montell Owens returned the fumbled kickoff 18 yards for a touchdown, and RB Maurice Jones-Drew got a 1-yard TD pass. Fortunately, the Bengals' defense prevented the Jaguars from getting the 2-point conversion, allowing Cincinnati to finally get its first win of the season.

With the win, not only did the Bengals go into their bye week at 1–8, the win also made the Lions the only winless NFL team.

Week 11: vs. Philadelphia Eagles

1 2 34OTTotal
Eagles 0 3 73013
Bengals 0 10 30013

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Coming off their bye week, the Bengals stayed at home for a Week 11 interconference duel with the Philadelphia Eagles. After a scoreless first quarter, Cincinnati pounced as kicker Shayne Graham got a 20-yard field goal. The Eagles responded as kicker David Akers got a 42-yard field goal. The Bengals would close out the half as QB Ryan Fitzpatrick completed a 26-yard TD pass to WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

In the third quarter, Cincinnati increased their lead as Graham got a 41-yard field goal. Philadelphia answered with QB Donovan McNabb completing a 4-yard TD pass to TE L.J. Smith. In the fourth quarter, the Eagles tied the game with Aker nailing a 27-yard field goal. In overtime, both teams had opportunities for game-winning scores, yet both defenses kept them down.

With the tie, the Bengals improved to 1–8–1.

This was the first game to end in a tie in the NFL since 2002, when the Atlanta Falcons played the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 34–34 tie.[4] At the post-game press conference, Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb famously stated that he didn't know games could end tied. A minor controversy arose from this, claiming that the Eagles could have changed their overtime strategy had McNabb known about ties.

Week 12: at Pittsburgh Steelers

1 2 34Total
Bengals 7 0 0310
Steelers 0 10 10727

at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Coming off their tie with the Eagles, the Bengals flew to Heinz Field for a Week 12 AFC North rematch with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football. Prior to the game, it was announced that due to arriving at a team meeting 45 minutes late and arguing with head coach Marvin Lewis, WR Chad Ocho Cinco was deactivated for the game.

In the first quarter, Cincinnati struck first as QB Ryan Fitzpatrick completed a 10-yard TD pass to WR Glenn Holt. In the second quarter, the Steelers took the lead as QB Ben Roethlisberger completed a 3-yard TD pass to TE Heath Miller, along with kicker Jeff Reed getting a 37-yard field goal. In the third quarter, Pittsburgh increased its lead as Reed made a 38-yard field goal, along with RB Gary Russell getting a 2-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, the Bengals tried to rally as kicker Shayne Graham nailed a 26-yard field goal. However, the Steelers pulled away with Roethlisberger's 8-yard TD run.

With the loss, Cincinnati fell to 1–9–1. It was also the Bengals' 332nd loss since the originating of the AFC-NFC format in 1970, temporarily tying them with the New York Jets for the most all-time losses among AFC teams.

Week 13: vs. Baltimore Ravens

1 2 34Total
Ravens 3 10 14734
Bengals 0 3 003

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Steelers, the Bengals went home for a Week 13 AFC North rematch with the Baltimore Ravens. In the first quarter, Cincinnati trailed early as Ravens kicker Matt Stover made a 27-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Baltimore increased its lead as Stover got a 21-yard field goal, along with QB Joe Flacco completing a 4-yard TD pass to TE Todd Heap. The Bengals would close out the half as kicker Shayne Graham nailed a 21-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, the Ravens pulled away as WR Mark Clayton completed a 32-yard TD pass to WR Derrick Mason and caught a 70-yard TD pass from Flacco. In the fourth quarter, Baltimore pulled away as safety Jim Leonhard returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown.

With the loss, not only did Cincinnati fall to 1–10–1. They surpassed their 2007 loss total and were swept by the Ravens for the first time since 2002.

Week 14: at Indianapolis Colts

1 2 34Total
Bengals 0 3 003
Colts 7 7 14735

at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana

Trying to rebound from back-to-back divisional losses, the Bengals flew to Lucas Oil Stadium for a Week 14 duel with the Indianapolis Colts. In the first quarter, Cincinnati trailed as Colts RB Dominic Rhodes got a 17-yard TD run. The Bengals would answer in the second quarter as kicker Shayne Graham nailed a 19-yard field goal, but Indianapolis answered right back with QB Peyton Manning completing a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marvin Harrison. Manning would help the Colts pull away in the third quarter with a 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez and a 4-yard touchdown pass to TE Dallas Clark. Indianapolis would seal the game in the fourth quarter as CB Kelvin Hayden returned an interception 85 yards for a touchdown.

With the loss, Cincinnati fell to 1–11–1.

Week 15: vs. Washington Redskins

1 2 34Total
Redskins 0 10 0313
Bengals 14 3 0320

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Week 16: at Cleveland Browns

1 2 34Total
Bengals 7 7 0014
Browns 0 0 000

at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio

Coming off their home win over the Redskins, the Bengals flew to Cleveland Browns Stadium for Round 2 of 2008's Battle of Ohio with the Cleveland Browns. Cincinnati would get the lead in the first quarter as cornerback Leon Hall returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown which was his first interception of the year. Hall also intercepted two other passes giving him 3 total in the game. RB Cedric Benson carried the ball for a career high 38 times for a career high 171 yards. The Bengals would then add onto their lead in the second quarter as quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick completed a 20-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Chris Henry. From there on out, the defense prevented Cleveland from getting any kind of momentum.

With the win, the Bengals improved to 3–11–1.

Week 17: vs. Kansas City Chiefs

1 2 34Total
Chiefs 0 0 066
Bengals 3 10 0316

at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Coming off their divisional road win over the Browns, the Bengals went home, donned their alternate uniforms again, and closed out their season with a Week 17 duel with the Kansas City Chiefs. Cincinnati would get the first punch in the first quarter as kicker Shayne Graham got a 38-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Bengals would increase their lead as running back Cedric Benson got a 2-yard touchdown run, followed by Graham's 30-yard field goal. After a scoreless third quarter, Cincinnati wrapped up its dominating day with Graham's 43-yard field goal. The Chiefs would respond with quarterback Tyler Thigpen completing a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tony Gonzalez (with a failed 2-point conversion).

With the win, the Bengals finished their season at 4–11–1.

References

  1. ↑ "Now" by Geoff Hobson on May 21, 2008
  2. ↑ "2008 Cincinnati Bengals draftees". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved October 16, 2014.
  3. ↑ "Ravens-Texans game postponed; Bengals also affected". NFL.com. September 13, 2009. Retrieved September 14, 2009.
  4. ↑ Associated Press (2008). "Eagles-Bengals game marks first tie since 2002 season". Retrieved November 17, 2008.

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