Bengals' Offense Going Nowhere
CINCINNATI (AP) — When Carson Palmer, Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens get together for the NFL's weekly reality show, they're a collective dud on the most important down.
The Cincinnati Bengals' season is all but finished because their talented passing game and their once-dependable running game go sideways — back to the bench — when it's time to either pick up a few more yards or punt.
The Bengals are 2-5 heading into their Monday night game against the Pittsburgh Steelers in large measure because they can't string first downs together. Palmer is the AFC's lowest-rated passer on third down, completing less than half his throws.
Overall, the Bengals convert only 37.3 percent of their third down chances, which ranks 20th in the league.