Third down and the season to go: facts and frustration

By Adam Kiefaber

You can say what you want:

* The Bengals got screwed on that challenge of the Antonio Chatman catch on third down early in the fourth quarter.

- or -

* The refs gave all the breaks to the Chiefs - juggling catches on the sidelines were always ruled complete - multiple Kansas City turnovers came back down to penalties and questionable challenges - and the refs would even help up Chief players.

All of that can be argued, but one thing that can’t be ignored - In the game, the Bengals converted only one of its 11 third downs.

Now, the team’s record drops to 1-4 this season. Dating back to the end of 2006, the Bengals have lost seven of their last eight games.

More facts:

The Chiefs stink.

- on offense -

Quarterback Damon Huard shouldn’t be starting on any NFL team. On Sunday he was perfect, like every quarterback is when they play the Bengals, completing 25 of 35 passes (71.4%) for 264 yards and threw two touchdowns without an interception (112.1 rating - season high)

Surprise! Surprise! Tight end Tony Gonzalez had his best game this season with nine receptions for 102 yards and two touchdowns.

Who in the world is Jeff Webb (below)? Before this Sunday’s game, the wide receiver had six catches for 83 yards in five games this season. This Sunday, Webb gained 78 yards on seven catches. Bengals cornerback Leon Hall continued his terrible rookie season. Hall couldn’t even cover Jeff Webb, imagine what he would’ve given up if he was playing someone good.

Running back Larry Johnson rushed for 105 yards in the first half.

- On defense -

Jared Allen ran around Levi Jones for 2.5 sacks. Jones looked like the worst offensive tackle in team history after being one of the best in recent years.

Excuse my language, but the shit has really hit the fan.

Speaking of profanities, Marvin Lewis’ tirade after the New England had little effect on the team. The Bengals are still selfish. Chad Johnson yells at the coach and then runs the wrong routes causing game-changing interceptions in consecutive games.

I’m thinking Marvin didn’t swear enough - in fact, after the Chiefs game he said, “What I told our football team in there just now was that I thought for the first time this football team played like a football team that second half of the game. Although we didn’t win the game today, I thought we made progress and showed some signs of a football team, not a bunch of individual guys.”

WHAT???!!!!!!!

You should more like hall-of-fame baseball manager Earl Weaver:

Warning this was a real show (on radio - animation was added for fun), but the language is horrible. However if you have a good sense of humor take a listen.