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Bengals' Offense Explodes, Defense Exposed

(Sports Network) - Chalk the Bengals' 51-45 loss to the Browns on Sunday up as a fluke if you wish, Cincinnati fans, but be sure not to pick and choose the elements you'd like to keep.

If you're discounting the 328-yard, five-touchdown day of formerly anonymous Cleveland quarterback Derek Anderson, than you also have to admit Carson Palmer's 401-yard, six-TD day was something of an aberration.

Don't think the combined 14 catches, 246 yards, and three touchdowns that went to Browns targets Kellen Winslow and Braylon Edwards can happen again? Then wipe out Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh's combined 19 grabs, 278 yards, and four TDs.

The 211 rushing yard day of Browns running back Jamal Lewis can also go, if you'll allow Rudi Johnson's 118-yard day to be brushed aside along with it.

Oh sure, a proven Cincinnati offense is capable of putting up big numbers every time it steps on the field, that much we know. But the Bengals have also proven in their four years under head coach Marvin Lewis that they're more than capable of defensive meltdowns like the one experienced Sunday. It's all part of the same vexing package that will shadow the Bengals for the rest of the year, so try to enjoy the ride.

We should have seen this coming in August, when Lewis put a defense on the field that had very few measurable alterations to the one that ranked tied for last in the league against the pass and 30th overall last year.

Moving second-year man Ahmad Brooks to a full-time job at middle linebacker, placing Redskins castoff Lemar Marshall next to him on the strong side, and adding rookie cornerback Leon Hall to the secondary rotation wasn't about to transform last year's defense into a world-beating, or even steady one.

The flaws were masked in the opener against Baltimore, when the Ravens ended drives of their own accord by turning the ball over six times.

Knowing that protecting the ball meant beating the Bengals, the Browns' offensive game plan revolved around protecting the ball, and eventually beating the Bengals. In embarrassing, flag-football fashion, too.

"Obviously, it was not a very good performance," said Lewis. "We didn't play well in any of the three phases. It's very disappointing how we played defensively. We didn't play well on third down. We allowed them to rush for over 200 yards and we weren't very sharp. As the game went on we seemed to invent some things and tried to do too much individually. Offensively, we hung in there, although we didn't do as well on third down as we know we are capable of. We had chances, but came up a little short."

Bengals end Justin Smith had harsher words for his group, showing his frustration at being forced to work with a green unit.

"We scaled down the defense to play base stuff; we weren't on the same page," said Smith. "Anytime you do that in this league, you're going to see what happened today. Guys are too good, too fast, and too strong to not be where you're supposed to be. It's ridiculous and that's what we did all day."

Where do the Bengals go from here?

To Seattle, for starters, where Cincinnati will face a team fighting mad over a frustrating victory of its own. Getting things corrected in seven days against former Pro Bowlers Matt Hasselbeck, Shaun Alexander, and one-time Super Bowl MVP Deion Branch is going to be an extraordinarily difficult feat for Lewis' team, and looming just over the horizon is a Monday night meeting with New England in Week 4.

If the Bengals play the Patriots the way they did the Browns, look out, NFL scoring record, though noting the early date of the season, Lewis was still preaching patience in his Monday press conference

"As I've always said, you're never as good as you seem to be after a win, and never as bad as you seem to be after a loss," remarked Lewis. "So we just need to play football -- make our corrections and move forward."

LEWIS NOT HANGING CHAD?

Chad Johnson had a huge statistical outing against the Browns, turning in an 11-catch, 209-yard, two touchdown game that ranked as one of the best of the receiver's illustrious career.

The 11 receptions equaled a career-high, set against Detroit in 2005 and matched in a loss to San Diego last season. The 200-yard game was the second of his career, ranking just behind the 260-yard day against the Chargers.

Johnson now leads the NFL in receiving yards with 304 on the year.

Despite the performance, much of the talk after the game was in reference to comments ex-Steelers head coach Bill Cowher made on CBS' post-game show, when he remarked that he would not tolerate Johnson's post-touchdown shenanigans. On Sunday, Johnson jumped into the Cleveland stands following the second of his TDs.

Lewis was left to defend his star wideout when the dust settled on Monday, and also took some shots at Cowher's agenda.

"It's unfortunate [Cowher] said that because he would know better than that, because he knows me as well," Lewis said. "He's coached Chad in the Pro Bowl and all he had was glowing things to say about Chad. Now he's in a different position, where part of the job is to create controversy. It's unfortunate. Now he's in a position where he can create controversy."

In other Cincinnati receiver news, T.J. Houshmandzadeh's eight receptions give him 17 for the year, which is tied for the league lead along with New England's Randy Moss and Denver's Javon Walker as Week 3 begins.

PALMER PARADE

It was a bittersweet day for Palmer, more bitter than sweet due to the loss.

The six touchdown passes were a personal best for the former No. 1 pick, surpassing his previous high of four, set against Cleveland in 2004 and matched against the Steelers last season; and also topping the team mark of five established by Boomer Esiason in 1986 and matched by Esiason in 1989.

The 401 yards were the second-most of Palmer's career, bettered only by the 440 he put up in that infamous 49-41 loss to San Diego last season.

As in that defeat, Palmer was in no mood to celebrate afterward.

"This is one of the tougher losses," said Palmer, who now leads the NFL in touchdown passes with eight. "I thought we had this win. I thought for sure we would go down there and score at the end. I feel like I'm mourning over a loss."

NEXT UP

The all-time series between the Bengals and Seahawks is knotted, 8-8, with Cincinnati evening the series by virtue of a 27-24 home victory during the 2003 campaign. Seattle won the previous meeting, a 37-20 triumph at home in 1999. The Bengals are 0-2 in road games against the Seahawks since earning a 20-17 overtime win in the great Northwest in 1994.

Seattle head coach Mike Holmgren is 4-1 in his career against Cincinnati, including 3-0 while with Green Bay from 1992 through 1998. The Bengals' Lewis is 0-1 against both the Seahawks and Holmgren all-time.

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