Read a full recap of the game here.
4:00 p.m.--The Bengals kneel the ball a few times and call it a day. Cincinnati has beaten the Detroit Lions 23-13 and improve their record to 9-3.
3:55p.m--We've hit the two minute warning and the Bengals hold a 23-7 lead. It seems like both teams have been running out the clock for about two hours. Most of the fans are gone, and I'm on my way to the locker room. They just showed a group of Bengal players signing "Santa Claus is coming to Town" on the big board. It was a scream. Best part of the game. Abdul Hodge made like Frankie Valli with the high-pitched "Santa Claus is coming to town" line. Very, Very, Very, Very funny.
3:33p.m.--My Struthers math just showed again. 20 plus 3 equals 23. The Bengals lead 23-7 in the fourth quarter.
3:31p.m.--The Bengals just held the ball for a long drive and it ended with another field goal by Shayne Graham, a 23-yarder. Nice time consuming drive, 17 plays covering 74 yards and it took up 9:58. Most of the plays were runs by Cedric Benson who now has 106 yards. 20-7 Bengals with 8:11 left in the game.
3:18p.m.--I have to write something just to make sure the blog-machine still works. We have 1:30 left in the third quarter and the Bengals are still winning handily 20-7. Just not much action worth writing about. The Ben-gal cheerleaders did change jackets at halftime. They had those short puffy fur-like jackets in the first half. They've changed into a form-fitting jacket. Okay..we've reached the end of three quarters, and the Bengals still lead 20-7. Cincinnati will have the ball on their own 43 when play resumes. They're playing "Hang on Sloopy" on the pa system. Again..is this an Ohio State game? How about a UC fight song. They're the ones going to a major bowl. To paraphrase Sam Wyche.."You don't live in Columbus..you live in Cincinnati."
2:56p.m.--The Bengals just had another drive that died at the 11 yard line. Shayne Graham kicked a 29 yard field goal, but Bobbie Williams got penalized for tripping. They kick again..this time a 39-yarder..and it was good as well. 8:03 left in the third quarter. It's Bengals 20-7
2:30p.m.--It's halftime at PBS and the Bengals lead the Lions 17-7. In the closing moments of the first half, the Bengals put together a nice drive. Palmer threw to Coles for one first down, he went to Ocho Cinco for another first down at the Lions 29. On the next play, Palmer ran to the 20. So the Bengals had a third and short with :17 left on the clock. But then the Bengals got hit with a delay of game penalty and got moved back. They decided to kick a field goal. Shayne Graham hit a 44-yarder. So...17-7 Bengals at the half. Time to get a hot dog.
2:05p.m.--The Bengals have just gone ahead of the Lions. Carson Palmer threw a 36 yard touchdown pass to Chad Ocho Cinco in the back of the endzone. Nice grab. He had to slide to catch it and he made it look easy. The drive was 85 yards and took eight plays, and 4:18. With 5:55 left in the second quarter, the Bengals lead the Lions 14-7.
1:51p.m.--The Bengals defense just came up with the first Cincinnati score of the day. Michael Johnson deflected a Matthew Stafford pass up in the air. It was caught by Jonathan Fanene and nobody was in his path. He ran 45 yards for a touchdown. 11:50 to go in the second quarter. We're tied at 7.
1:42p.m.--End of first quarter at PBS. The Lions lead 7-0. Detroit will have the ball at their own 33 yard line when the second quarter begins.
1:35p.m.--Following that interception, the Lions with a quick strike. Matthew Stafford with a 54-yard beautifully thrown touchdown pass to Calvin Johnson. Chris Crocker and Chinedum Ndukwe were giving chase. Crocker had just returned to the game after injuring his right ankle. 3:20 left in the first quarter, 7-0 Lions
1:30p.m.--A real stop and start first quarter so far. It was so dead in parts, I was able to check my e-mails. The Bengals are trying to get Cedric Benson untracked, but nothing is consistent. Benson just ran for three yards to the right side, but Maurice Purify got caught holding. Then just moments ago. Carson Palmer got picked off by William James of Detroit. The Lions take the ball at their own 46 yard line. 3:36 to go in the first quarter.
1:18p.m.--Just to let you know that the blog is active from the Bengals-Lions game, in fact, it's more active than the game itself. The Lions have had the ball twice, and they've punted twice. The Bengals have possessed the ball once and they only managed one first down before they punted. With 8:28 to go in the first quarter, the Bengals start a new drive at their own 34 yard line.
