Jamie Squire - Getty Images
5 months ago: HOUSTON, TX - JANUARY 07: Head coach Marvin Lewis of the Cincinnati Bengals throws the football before the Begals take on the Houston Texans during their 2012 AFC Wild Card Playoff game at Reliant Stadium on January 7, 2012 in Houston, Texas. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis quickly depleted both challenges during the second quarter on Saturday against the Houston Texans. With 10:44 remaining in the second quarter, Bengals running back Cedric Benson fell inches short of the first down marker on second and two. Lewis challenged it, believing that Benson had picked up the first down at Cincinnati's 30-yard line -- and momentarily it appeared so live.
However Benson's elbow touched the ground inches short of the first down marker. On the next play Dalton takes the handoff and registers the first down on a quarterback sneak.
With one challenge down, no matter what happens throughout the rest of the game, his next challenge will be the final one. Does Lewis hold onto his final challenge for one of the more critical moments of the game?
No.
He uses it when Houston had possession on third and four from their own 37-yard line with 5:09 remaining. Texans tight end Owen Daniels hauled in an eight-yard reception with Thomas Howard successfully ripping out the football. After Lewis challenged the play, Daniels obviously had control of the football, down by contact and the Bengals have no challenges remaining in the game.
Coming into the game, Lewis had only challenged three plays during the entire 2011 regular season, overturning two.
0 recs | 70 comments
And Andy Dalton shows
why we should beg the Colts to trade 3 1st rounders for the 1st overall pick (both of this years and one of next years)
aguy - January 7, 2012
Don't blame Dalton too much
The Bulls on Parade make good QBs look bad sometimes.
Still Blue - January 7, 2012
Agreed!
pemci - January 7, 2012
No
Helmsy - January 7, 2012
If you want something to blame
How about missed tackles, subpar secondary, crappy guards on the O-line, crappy RB. This game was NOT Daltons fault in the least. He is a rookie and took the Bengals to the playoffs with virtually no running game and one consistent WR. Dalton is our QB for the future and I’m glad. He has tremendous upside. Marvin is not to blame either. This team came ready to play. Look at the first half we outplayed them. They had a few breaks go their way and that is all it takes sometimes. He threw the challenges early yeas but that didn’t cost us the in any way.
Helmsy - January 7, 2012
forget it,
this guy hates Dalton with a passion!
pemci - January 7, 2012
Seriously?
I hope you defended Palmer last year. Cause our running game was better this year than last year. And our line. The secondary was better last year. If it weren’t for Hall’s injury it would have been more solid. It was deeper this year (considering that Pacman came back midseason after being gone the latter half of last season), but Nelson played poorly most of the season and Crocker is inconsistent. Marvin was an idiot. Those were irrelevant plays that he challenged. I wish we would can him already. Our team didn’t beat a single quality team this season (Titans don’t count as quality)
aguy - January 7, 2012
GO follow another team then...
no one is stopping you from following another team!
pemci - January 7, 2012
you realize that we beat more quality teams than the patriots right?
We beat 1….they beat zero
TruWhoDey - January 7, 2012 via iPhone app
No we didn't. Because Titans aren't quality
And when the Pats are in the super bowl, I think people will call them quality
aguy - January 7, 2012
We won 0
Chris Johnson wasn’t good when we faced them. Pats beat the Jets twice. Don’t even try to say they aren’t good
JayBruce32 - January 8, 2012
they beat no one that made the playoffs
same as us
Helmsy - January 8, 2012
They blew out teams
over the course of a season, point differential is a pretty strong indicator of how good a team is and how well they’ll do against better competition.
The top teams destroy weak teams, on average. Then in games between two top teams, the margins are closer and you get the “any given Sunday” effect. Not saying the Pats will win. But their many blowout wins are more an indicator of being a top team. The Bengals beat nobody who made the playoffs, and blew out nobody, and ended up with a point differential about zero. There’s a big difference (on average) when you have those two results to compare.
occams_tiger_teeth - January 8, 2012
The Patriots played two teams all season with a winning record
The Steelers and the Giants…both games they lost. They too had 0 wins against teams with a winning, plus .500, record, at least, the Bengals had 1.
Also, consider this, Brady is in fact, the OC de facto. Yeah, you can say O’Brien or McDaniels are the OC, but don’t tell me Brady does not have input or an opportunity to change plays when he sees it. Dalton, is a rookie, Brady is in his 11th season, he has had plenty of history with people like Welker, Gronkowski, Hernandez, etc. Of course, they are going to blow out opponents and run up scores. You can not compare an 11-year veteran to a rookie, that is ridiculous, sorry. :)
pemci - January 8, 2012
again you simply don't understand
the metric of point differential and why people look at it.
occams_tiger_teeth - January 8, 2012
We just agree to disagree....
pemci - January 8, 2012
Sorry JayBruce32...
but the week after Chris Johnson played us, he had 130 yds rushing and 44 yards receiving. Did Chris Johnson have a down season this year? Absolutely. However, to say he was not good when he faced us, is taking away credit from what our D did against him. And Yes, the Jets were not that good.
pemci - January 8, 2012
One more point JayBruce
Chris Johnson: 1047 yds rushing (only 20 less than Benson) and 418 yds receiving. He may have had a down year, but he was still a force to contend with and our D, which at the time we played them was much healthier then we are now, did a good job in containing him.
pemci - January 8, 2012
JayBruce and aguy are a couple or something
aguy did mention at one point that they were sitting next to each other. You will never get through to these two. They are best just ignored.
Oregonbengalsfan - January 8, 2012
Sure didnt defend Palmer
and I didn’t have irrational hate for him either. What does Crocker playing horribly have to do with Marvin. You honestly think without Andy or Marvin we would have even come close to the playoffs?? If you think we would have you are either lying or delusional. Can Brady and Bill too since they didn’t beat any “quality” teams.
Helmsy - January 7, 2012
Aguy...
trolling again..get lost you LOSER!
pemci - January 7, 2012
whoa whoa whoa
no reason to start calling names my good sir. Not each other at least.
aguy - January 7, 2012
Plenty of reason to call names, You blame one man for the failed defense.
Gary W - January 7, 2012
+1
pemci - January 7, 2012
No. Failed defense is failed defense
But a 51.7 rating is complete QB fail. Yates had 97. He’s a rookie too. And a 3rd stringer… Dalton throws it to Green and prays regardless of whether he is in single, double, or triple coverage. And he took some stupid sacks. Scoring 10 points isn’t enough to win a game. period. Offense needs to put points up and possess the damn ball so the defense isn’t on the field the whole game. Marvin is at fault too. And Gruden. Pathetic play calling. Less this game and more during the entire season.
aguy - January 7, 2012
GET LOST!
pemci - January 7, 2012
No
Dalton and the offense weren’t good enough. That’s why we lost. Our defense was by far the best part of our team this year. Prove what I said wrong, and I’ll stop talking, but you can’t because I’m right
aguy - January 7, 2012
I am going to ignore you.
Somehow you have this vendetta against Dalton, and you are not worth my time. F-YOU!
pemci - January 7, 2012
Dalton on his third INT
“I was told to throw it to AJ.” wow way to stand up and take the blame. What a leader
JayBruce32 - January 8, 2012
Was Dalton responsible for 188 yards the Texans rushed for?
pemci - January 7, 2012
When he throws three picks and gives the Texans the lead with a pick-6
yes he’s part of it. And takes sacks that kill drives. Keeps a tired defense on the field against one of the best RB’s in the leagues
aguy - January 7, 2012
league not leagues
aguy - January 7, 2012
Really dude?
he was making passes yesterday (and all season) Palmer couldn’t make in his dreams. And as a rookie, to lead this 4-12 team back to the playoffs behind a patchwork offensive line (the RG play this year has been atrocious), you want to blame him?
Blue Steel - January 8, 2012
Just ignore Aguy he has a vendetta against Dalton...
pemci - January 8, 2012
and JayBruce
Oregonbengalsfan - January 8, 2012
Guess what Yates had
A solid running game…guess what Andy didn’t have a solid running game.
Helmsy - January 7, 2012
The defense wasn't the problem
They went into halftime tied 10 all. Dalton had yet another pass hit at the line of scrimmage and lost the game. He led the league in passes knocked down. He was miserable and that’s being honest. His passer rating improved once he got a lot of yards in garbage time
JayBruce32 - January 8, 2012
You are what you are. I bet you were waiting for baited breath
to come here and slam Dalton. And I can see I was right by your first post. You are not wanted/needed here. You don’t like this team, so why are you even here!
pemci - January 7, 2012
Who Dey?
The Texans, that’s who.
Still Blue - January 7, 2012
Can we fire marvin (left uncapitalized on purpose) now???????
KentuckianaBrowncoat - January 7, 2012
That ain’t gonna happen, it would be nice but ain’t gonna happen! I call him 3 and out Marv
RA59 - January 7, 2012
If he doesn't make a deep playoff run next year ad keeps his job
$#!t can his @$$!!!!!
KentuckianaBrowncoat - January 7, 2012
Marvin Lewis did not lose this game today.
We have a very young team who got whipped today by a better team. On 3rd and short, this team is horrible because our 2 starting guards simply sucked all year. Bobbie is ok but he is old and not as explosive as in the past. This team needs a WR to put beside AJ Green. Simpson is a number 3 at best. This team needs a FS who can cover and letting Joseph go came back to bite us in the ass. We should have 5 picks in the top 100 not to mention some money to throw around during free agency.
lightskin350 - January 7, 2012
+10
Helmsy - January 7, 2012
WTF?
Marvin did lose this game.
I’ve been the one that has stuck up for Marvin the most, but he can’t get over that hump…
WHYUS!! - January 7, 2012
.
How about missed tackles, subpar secondary, crappy guards on the O-line, crappy RB. This game was NOT Daltons fault in the least. He is a rookie and took the Bengals to the playoffs with virtually no running game and one consistent WR. Dalton is our QB for the future and I’m glad. He has tremendous upside. Marvin is not to blame either. This team came ready to play. Look at the first half we outplayed them. They had a few breaks go their way and that is all it takes sometimes. He threw the challenges early yeas but that didn’t cost us the in any way.
Helmsy - January 7, 2012
Chris Crocker!
Period, he was horrible in this game…
pemci - January 7, 2012
agreed. But he has been decent overall this season
Pacman was bad. Nelson played better the last half of the season, but not that great. We need safeties and a CB. And a #2 receiver. I want a QB but I’ll keep dreaming
aguy - January 7, 2012
I didn't say it was Daltons
fault. It was Marvin’s fault, his team and must be prepared to play and was certainly not prepared, again…..
WHYUS!! - January 7, 2012
No I copied and pasted from my earlier post
Just pay attention to the Marvin part. They came out in the 1st quarter ready to for sure though
Helmsy - January 7, 2012
For 1 quarter?
They need be ready for 4….
WHYUS!! - January 7, 2012
That was the difference
WHYUS!! - January 7, 2012
texans
keep talking trash, You wont be in the playoffs much longer hahaha.
77CincyRage - January 7, 2012
22 years no playoff wins
Bfritts45 - January 7, 2012 via mobile
I feel like I'm having deja vu..
80%OFTHETIMEIMRIGHTEVERYTIME - January 7, 2012
sorry guys
cowboys fan here in nky, always want to see your team do well. sucks to see a game like this.
but at the same time, you guys have a lot to build on (small comfort right now, i know). no one expected the playoffs for you guys this year, and you proved you were good enough to get there. just have to keep trucking. there will be a rainbow eventually, to paraphrase mr. burns.
johnnypocket - January 7, 2012
Agreed!
pemci - January 7, 2012
Being the optimist
Rookie QB, rookie WR, rookie OC, worst owner in pro sports = not bad overall
They’ll be back!
DonMegga - January 7, 2012 via mobile
I am not the negative type...however
Rey Mauluga absoulty sucks.
Ochocinco - January 7, 2012
He had a very bad game, yes.
There needs to be competition for the MIKE.
Cry - January 7, 2012
I feel like
A full offseason at MLB will really straighten mal out and get him to where he should be.
Besides.. we need oline secondary rb and maybe wr help.. out d front 7 is the best unit on the team.
TheVilified - January 7, 2012
Luke Kuechly could be competition if he falls....
Hometown favorite!!
DTFCPDX - January 7, 2012
F@ck this!!!
I would bring Odell Thurman back.. He has proved to be stable now. We need someone and being desperate is what Bengals fans are. We need a play maker…
I don’t care what others say, b/c this is the icing on the cake. This performance is the ultimate let down. I could understand if this was a close game, but it wasn’t. They handed us a ass—————-ng….
there is not one of you out there that can convince me otherwise. The coaching was horrid and the outcome was worse.
I’m talking out ny ass right now, but later, i doubt things will change. This team needs a new head Coach… It’s obvious, people!!
WHYUS!! - January 7, 2012
sucks
Dont forget crocker and pacman. I dont want to see them ever again in our uniform. Were stuck with lewis unfort. If there are no drastic trades up we need to address secondary and o line with out first four picks.
Jog73 - January 7, 2012 via iPhone app
that was the 2nd TD pacman has given up all year
But glad to see that your not a typical one game knee jerk reaction kind of Bengals fan….
TruWhoDey - January 7, 2012 via iPhone app
Maualuga did not suck half as bad as Crocker did!
pemci - January 7, 2012
76
That is how many yards rushing the Bengals had ALL game.
Benson and Scott 13 carries for 25 yards…how is that helping your QB?
pemci - January 7, 2012
THANK YOU to
ANDY DALTON and AJ GREEN for making this a very memorable year. We were picked to win 0 games by some of the so called experts, and we managed to go 9-7 and be in the playoffs. Thank you to the defense as well, Geno Atkins, Carlos Dunlap, Jonathan Fanene, Michael Johnson, Thomas Howard and many more. We never gave up and never stopped playing. It did not end the way we would have liked, but how many of us really thought we would be 9-7 and in the playoffs no less. We have a nice base from where to start, a QB that is resourceful, an Elite WR, a good Defensive LIne, now we just need to add a few guards, a better safety and better running backs, we have a good foundation to start our future….
pemci - January 7, 2012
This argument over Dalton is lame.
Have you seen the Texans offensive line? Its one of the most COMPLETE lines in the NFL. Run blocking and Pass blocking. Yates had Foster, Tate, Andre Johnson. Dalton has Green. Our interior line is horrible. No running game.A backup guard and Livings. Our defense was working with 3rd and 4th string corners and Crocker. Also, to mention… the interception for a touchdown is on Livings. Its common technique to not let a DT sit, you engage them and keep them from jumping. Livings- is horrible. Dalton needs helps so he doesn’t have to go boom or bust. One more thing. Our offense was Dalton and Green both rookies. I also don’t think Gruden is that special. Excited for this off season!
Cincinnati222 - January 8, 2012
that was the RG on that play
who is slightly more valuable than a speed bump. I don’t think Livings is horrible, but I’d like to see him as a backup.
Blue Steel - January 8, 2012
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