2008 Cincinnati Bengals season | |
---|---|
Owner | Mike Brown |
Head coach | Marvin Lewis |
Home field | Paul Brown Stadium |
Results | |
Record | 4–11–1 |
Division place | 3rd AFC North |
Playoff finish | Did not qualify |
Pro Bowlers | None |
Uniform | |
The 2008 Cincinnati Bengals season was the franchise's 39th season in the National Football League (NFL), the 41st overall, and the 6th under head coach Marvin Lewis. The team finished the season with 4 wins, 11 losses, and 1 tie, and missed the playoffs for the 3rd consecutive year.
This season marked head coach Marvin Lewis's sixth year with the Bengals. His offensive coordinator, Bob Bratkowski, remained with the team, but his defensive coordinator from 2007 to 2008, Chuck Bresnahan, was not retained. He was replaced by Mike Zimmer and Jeff FitzGerald replaced Ricky Hunley as linebacker coach.
Typically Lewis has had a theme for the upcoming season for the team to rally around. For the 2008 season it was "Now" [1]
The Bengals gained an additional four picks for compensation of losing certain players.
2008 Cincinnati Bengals draft | |||||
Round | Pick | Player | Position | College | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 9 | Keith Rivers | Linebacker | USC | |
2 | 46 | Jerome Simpson | Wide receiver | Coastal Carolina | |
3 | 77 | Pat Sims | Defensive tackle | Auburn | |
3 | 97 | Andre Caldwell | Wide receiver | Florida | compensatory selection |
4 | 112 | Anthony Collins | Offensive tackle | Kansas | |
5 | 145 | Jason Shirley | Defensive tackle | Fresno State | |
6 | 177 | Corey Lynch | Safety | Appalachian State | |
6 | 207 | Matt Sherry | Tight end | Villanova | compensatory selection |
7 | 244 | Angelo Craig | Defensive end | Cincinnati | compensatory selection |
7 | 246 | Mario Urrutia | Wide receiver | Louisville | compensatory selection |
Made roster |
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | August 11 | Green Bay Packers | W 20–17 | 1–0 | Lambeau Field | Recap |
2 | August 17 | Detroit Lions | L 10–27 | 1–1 | Paul Brown Stadium | Recap |
3 | August 23 | New Orleans Saints | L 0–13 | 1–2 | Paul Brown Stadium | Recap |
4 | August 28 | Indianapolis Colts | W 27–7 | 2–2 | Lucas Oil Stadium | Recap |
Week | Date | Opponent | Result | Record | Venue | Recap |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | September 7 | at Baltimore Ravens | L 10–17 | 0–1 | M&T Bank Stadium | Recap |
2 | September 14 | Tennessee Titans | L 7–24 | 0–2 | Paul Brown Stadium | Recap |
3 | September 21 | at New York Giants | L 23–26 (OT) | 0–3 | Giants Stadium | Recap |
4 | September 28 | Cleveland Browns | L 12–20 | 0–4 | Paul Brown Stadium | Recap |
5 | October 5 | at Dallas Cowboys | L 22–31 | 0–5 | Texas Stadium | Recap |
6 | October 12 | at New York Jets | L 14–26 | 0–6 | Giants Stadium | Recap |
7 | October 19 | Pittsburgh Steelers | L 10–38 | 0–7 | Paul Brown Stadium | Recap |
8 [A] | October 26 | at Houston Texans | L 6–35 | 0–8 | Reliant Stadium | Recap |
9 | November 2 | Jacksonville Jaguars | W 21–19 | 1–8 | Paul Brown Stadium | Recap |
10 | Bye [A] | |||||
11 | November 16 | Philadelphia Eagles | T 13–13 (OT) | 1–8–1 | Paul Brown Stadium | Recap |
12 | November 20 | at Pittsburgh Steelers | L 10–27 | 1–9–1 | Heinz Field | Recap |
13 | November 30 | Baltimore Ravens | L 3–34 | 1–10–1 | Paul Brown Stadium | Recap |
14 | December 7 | at Indianapolis Colts | L 3–35 | 1–11–1 | Lucas Oil Stadium | Recap |
15 | December 14 | Washington Redskins | W 20–13 | 2–11–1 | Paul Brown Stadium | Recap |
16 | December 21 | at Cleveland Browns | W 14–0 | 3–11–1 | Cleveland Browns Stadium | Recap |
17 | December 28 | Kansas City Chiefs | W 16–6 | 4–11–1 | Paul Brown Stadium | Recap |
Note: Intra-division opponents are in bold text.
AFC North | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
W | L | T | PCT | DIV | CONF | PF | PA | STK | |
(2) Pittsburgh Steelers | 12 | 4 | 0 | .750 | 6–0 | 10–2 | 347 | 223 | W1 |
(6) Baltimore Ravens | 11 | 5 | 0 | .688 | 4–2 | 8–4 | 385 | 244 | W2 |
Cincinnati Bengals | 4 | 11 | 1 | .281 | 1–5 | 3–9 | 204 | 364 | W3 |
Cleveland Browns | 4 | 12 | 0 | .250 | 1–5 | 3–9 | 232 | 350 | L6 |
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bengals | 0 | 3 | 0 | 7 | 10 |
Ravens | 7 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 17 |
at M&T Bank Stadium, Baltimore, Maryland
Starter, Dexter Jackson, was inactive due to injury.
The Bengals began their 2008 campaign on the road against their AFC North foe, the Baltimore Ravens. In the first quarter, Cincinnati trailed early as Ravens WR Mark Clayton turned a double reverse play into a 42-yard TD run. In the second quarter, the Bengals continued to struggle as kicker Matt Stover gave Baltimore a 21-yard field goal. Cincinnati would reply as kicker Shayne Graham nailed a 43-yard field goal. However, in the third quarter, the Bengals continued to show their dismal defense as Ravens QB Joe Flacco got a 38-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, the Bengals tried to rally as CB Johnathan Joseph returned a fumble 65 yards for a touchdown. However, Baltimore's defense stiffened and held on for the win.
With the loss, Cincinnati began their season at 0–1. It became the team's first regular season opening loss since 2004.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Titans | 0 | 14 | 3 | 7 | 24 |
Bengals | 0 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 7 |
at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Starter Dexter Jackson was inactive for the game due to injury.
Hoping to rebound from their divisional road loss to the Ravens, the Bengals played their Week 2 home opener against the Tennessee Titans. At the beginning of the game the winds were marked at 20 mph (32 km/h) and picked up intensity as the game continued, with gusts to hurricane force at times due to the passage of the remnants of Hurricane Ike. After a scoreless first quarter, Cincinnati trailed as Titans RB LenDale White got a 1-yard TD run. The Bengals would respond with RB Chris Perry getting his first career TD on a 13-yard run. However, Tennessee would begin its domination with QB Kerry Collins completing an 11-yard TD pass to WR Justin Gage. In the third quarter, Cincinnati continued to struggle as kicker Rob Bironas nailed a 34-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, the Titans sealed the win with LB Keith Bulluck blocking and recovering a punt within Cincy's endzone for a touchdown.
During the game, the wind was such a factor that it aided the Titan's punter who, with a quick 1-step drop, kicked a punt travelling 70 yards past scrimmage before hitting the ground. It appeared to contribute to difficulties with short passes and long snaps.
With the loss, the Bengals fell to 0–2. It became the team's first 0-2 start since 2003.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bengals | 3 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 0 | 23 |
Giants | 0 | 10 | 3 | 10 | 3 | 26 |
at Giants Stadium, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Starters Ben Utecht, Johnathan Joseph, & Dexter Jackson, were inactive for the game due to injuries.
Trying to snap their two-game losing skid, the Bengals flew to Giants Stadium for a Week 3 matchup with the defending Super Bowl champions, the New York Giants. In the first quarter, Cincinnati scratched first with kicker Shayne Graham getting a 22-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Giants responded with RB Brandon Jacobs getting a 1-yard TD run. The Bengals would strike back with RB Chris Perry getting a 25-yard TD run. New York tied the game with kicker John Carney getting a 24-yard field goal, yet Cincinnati would close out the half with Graham's 30-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, the Giants would tie the game with Carney kicking a 46-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, New York would take the lead with Carney's 26-yard field goal. The Bengals would reclaim its lead with QB Carson Palmer completing a 17-yard TD pass to WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh. The Giants responded with QB Eli Manning completing a 4-yard TD pass to TE Kevin Boss, yet Cincinnati tied the game with Graham's 21-yard field goal. However, in overtime, New York came out on top as Carney nailing the game-winning 22-yard field goal.
With the loss, the Bengals fell to 0–3 as they prepared to face the Cleveland Browns the next game who were also 0–3. This was the team's first 0-3 start since 2003.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Browns | 3 | 0 | 0 | 17 | 20 |
Bengals | 0 | 6 | 0 | 6 | 12 |
at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Still searching for their first win, the Bengals went home for a Week 4 AFC North duel with the Cleveland Browns in Round 1 of 2008's Battle of Ohio. With QB Carson Palmer out with a sore right elbow, back-up QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was named the starter.
In the first quarter, Cincinnati trailed early as Browns kicker Phil Dawson got a 25-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Bengals took the lead with kicker Shayne Graham getting a 42-yard and a 45-yard field goal. After a scoreless third quarter, Cleveland regained the lead in the fourth quarter with QB Derek Anderson completing a 4-yard TD pass to WR Braylon Edwards, along with RB Jamal Lewis getting a 1-yard TD run. Cincinnati would respond with Fitzpatrick completing a 4-yard TD pass to WR Chad Ocho Cinco, yet the Browns pulled away with Dawson nailing a 29-yard field goal.
With yet another loss, the Bengals fell to 0–4 for the first time since 2002, while the Browns improved to 1–3.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bengals | 0 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 22 |
Cowboys | 10 | 7 | 0 | 14 | 31 |
at Texas Stadium, Irving, Texas
Still searching for their first win, the Bengals flew to Texas Stadium for a Week 5 interconference duel with the Dallas Cowboys. In the first quarter, Cincinnati trailed early as Cowboys kicker Nick Folk got a 30-yard field goal, along with RB Felix Jones getting a 33-yard TD run. In the second quarter, Dallas increased its lead as QB Tony Romo completed a 4-yard TD pass to TE Jason Witten. The Bengals would end the half with kicker Shayne Graham getting a 41-yard and a 31-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, Cincinnati tried to rally as QB Carson Palmer completed an 18-yard TD pass to WR T. J. Houshmandzadeh. In the fourth quarter, the Bengals got closer as Graham got a 40-yard field goal, yet the Cowboys answered with Romo completing a 57-yard TD pass to WR Terrell Owens. Cincinnati tried to come back as Palmer completed a 10-yard TD pass to Houshmandzadeh (with a failed 2-point conversion), but Dallas pulled away with Romo completing a 15-yard TD pass to WR Patrick Crayton.
With the loss, the Bengals fell to 0–5.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bengals | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
Jets | 7 | 10 | 3 | 6 | 26 |
at The Meadowlands, East Rutherford, New Jersey
Still looking for their first win, the Bengals flew to The Meadowlands for a Week 6 duel with the throwback-clad New York Jets. With QB Carson Palmer out again nursing an injured elbow, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was again named the starter.
In the first quarter, Cincinnati pounced first as strong safety Chinedum Ndukwe returned a fumble 15 yards for a touchdown. The Jets responded with QB Brett Favre completing a 2-yard TD pass to RB Thomas Jones. In the second quarter, New York took the lead as kicker Jay Feely got a 38-yard field goal, while Jones got a 7-yard TD run. The Bengals closed out the half with Fitzpatrick getting a 1-yard TD run.
In the third quarter, the Jets began to pull away as Feely got a 43-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, New York sealed the win as Jones got a 1-yard TD run (with a failed 2-point conversion).
With the loss, Cincinnati fell to 0–6 and it became their first 0–6 start as well as 6-game losing streak since 2002.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steelers | 10 | 0 | 7 | 21 | 38 |
Bengals | 0 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 10 |
at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Still searching for their first win of the season, the Bengals went home for a Week 7 AFC North duel with the Pittsburgh Steelers. With Carson Palmer still out with a sore elbow, QB Ryan Fitzpatrick was given the start.
In the first quarter, Cincinnati trailed early as Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger completed a 2-yard TD pass to RB Mewelde Moore, along with kicker Jeff Reed getting a 21-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Bengals answered with Fitzpatrick completing a 5-yard TD pass to WR Chad Ocho Cinco. In the third quarter, Pittsburgh responded with Moore getting a 13-yard TD run. Cincinnati would respond with kicker Dave Rayner nailing a 26-yard field goal. However, in the fourth quarter, the Steelers pulled away with Roethlisberger completing a 50-yard TD pass to WR Nate Washington, Moore getting a 2-yard TD run, and QB Byron Leftwich completing a 16-yard TD pass to WR Hines Ward. Earlier in the game, Ward destroyed Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers with a vicious then-legal hit, breaking Rivers' jaw. NFL rules were changed after the season to make similar hits illegal in the future.
With the loss, Cincinnati dropped to 0–7. The team's first such start since 2002.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bengals | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
Texans | 7 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 35 |
at Reliant Stadium, Houston, Texas
Still trying to acquire their first win of the season, the Bengals flew to Reliant Stadium for a Week 8 duel with the Houston Texans. In the first quarter, Cincinnati's struggles continued as Texans WR Jacoby Jones returned a punt 73 yards for a touchdown. The Bengals responded with kicker Shayne Graham getting a 43-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Houston increased its lead as QB Matt Schaub completed a 6-yard TD pass to WR David Anderson. Cincinnati closed out the half with Graham nailing a 32-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, the Texans began to pull away as Schaub completed a 7-yard and a 39-yard TD pass to WR Kevin Walter. In the fourth quarter, Houston sealed the win with RB Steve Slaton getting a 20-yard TD run.
With yet another loss, the Bengals would fall to 0–8 and start a season with such a record for the first time since 1994.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jaguars | 0 | 3 | 0 | 16 | 19 |
Bengals | 7 | 7 | 7 | 0 | 21 |
at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Still looking for their first win of the season, the Bengals went home, donned their alternate uniforms, and played a Week 9 duel with the Jacksonville Jaguars. In the first quarter, Cincinnati clawed first as QB Ryan Fitzpatrick completed a 2-yard TD pass to WR Chad Ocho Cinco. In the second quarter, the Bengals increased their lead as Fitzpatrick hooked up with Ocho Cinco again on a 10-yard TD pass. The Jaguars would end the half on kicker Josh Scobee's 52-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, Cincinnati continued its hot streak as RB Cedric Benson got a 7-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, Jacksonville began to rally as Scobee nailed a 26-yard field goal, FB Montell Owens returned the fumbled kickoff 18 yards for a touchdown, and RB Maurice Jones-Drew got a 1-yard TD pass. Fortunately, the Bengals' defense prevented the Jaguars from getting the 2-point conversion, allowing Cincinnati to finally get its first win of the season.
With the win, not only did the Bengals go into their bye week at 1–8, the win also made the Lions the only winless NFL team (the same Lions that would go 0–16).
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | OT | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Eagles | 0 | 3 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 13 |
Bengals | 0 | 10 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Coming off their bye week, the Bengals stayed at home for a Week 11 interconference duel with the Philadelphia Eagles. After a scoreless first quarter, Cincinnati pounced as kicker Shayne Graham got a 20-yard field goal. The Eagles responded as kicker David Akers got a 42-yard field goal. The Bengals would close out the half as QB Ryan Fitzpatrick completed a 26-yard TD pass to WR T.J. Houshmandzadeh.
In the third quarter, Cincinnati increased their lead as Graham got a 41-yard field goal. Philadelphia answered with QB Donovan McNabb completing a 4-yard TD pass to TE L.J. Smith. In the fourth quarter, the Eagles tied the game with Aker nailing a 27-yard field goal. In overtime, both teams had opportunities for game-winning scores, yet both defenses kept them down.
With the tie, the Bengals improved to 1–8–1.
This was the first game to end in a tie in the NFL since 2002, when the Atlanta Falcons played the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 34–34 tie. [4] At the post-game press conference, Eagles quarterback Donovan McNabb famously stated that he didn't know games could end tied. A minor controversy arose from this, claiming that the Eagles could have changed their overtime strategy had McNabb known about ties.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bengals | 7 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 10 |
Steelers | 0 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 27 |
at Heinz Field, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Coming off their tie with the Eagles, the Bengals flew to Heinz Field for a Week 12 AFC North rematch with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Thursday Night Football. Prior to the game, it was announced that due to arriving at a team meeting 45 minutes late and arguing with head coach Marvin Lewis, WR Chad Ocho Cinco was deactivated for the game.
In the first quarter, Cincinnati struck first as QB Ryan Fitzpatrick completed a 10-yard TD pass to WR Glenn Holt. In the second quarter, the Steelers took the lead as QB Ben Roethlisberger completed a 3-yard TD pass to TE Heath Miller, along with kicker Jeff Reed getting a 37-yard field goal. In the third quarter, Pittsburgh increased its lead as Reed made a 38-yard field goal, along with RB Gary Russell getting a 2-yard TD run. In the fourth quarter, the Bengals tried to rally as kicker Shayne Graham nailed a 26-yard field goal. However, the Steelers pulled away with Roethlisberger's 8-yard TD run.
With the loss, Cincinnati fell to 1–9–1. It was also the Bengals' 332nd loss since the originating of the AFC-NFC format in 1970, temporarily tying them with the New York Jets for the most all-time losses among AFC teams.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ravens | 3 | 10 | 14 | 7 | 34 |
Bengals | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Hoping to rebound from their road loss to the Steelers, the Bengals went home for a Week 13 AFC North rematch with the Baltimore Ravens. In the first quarter, Cincinnati trailed early as Ravens kicker Matt Stover made a 27-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Baltimore increased its lead as Stover got a 21-yard field goal, along with QB Joe Flacco completing a 4-yard TD pass to TE Todd Heap. The Bengals would close out the half as kicker Shayne Graham nailed a 21-yard field goal.
In the third quarter, the Ravens pulled away as WR Mark Clayton completed a 32-yard TD pass to WR Derrick Mason and caught a 70-yard TD pass from Flacco. In the fourth quarter, Baltimore pulled away as safety Jim Leonhard returned an interception 35 yards for a touchdown.
With the loss, not only did Cincinnati fall to 1–10–1. They surpassed their 2007 loss total and were swept by the Ravens for the first time since 2002.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bengals | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
Colts | 7 | 7 | 14 | 7 | 35 |
at Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis, Indiana
Trying to rebound from back-to-back divisional losses, the Bengals flew to Lucas Oil Stadium for a Week 14 duel with the Indianapolis Colts. In the first quarter, Cincinnati trailed as Colts RB Dominic Rhodes got a 17-yard TD run. The Bengals would answer in the second quarter as kicker Shayne Graham nailed a 19-yard field goal, but Indianapolis answered right back with QB Peyton Manning completing a 5-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Marvin Harrison. Manning would help the Colts pull away in the third quarter with a 2-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Anthony Gonzalez and a 4-yard touchdown pass to TE Dallas Clark. Indianapolis would seal the game in the fourth quarter as CB Kelvin Hayden returned an interception 85 yards for a touchdown.
With the loss, Cincinnati fell to 1–11–1.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Redskins | 0 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 13 |
Bengals | 14 | 3 | 0 | 3 | 20 |
at Paul Brown Stadium • Cincinnati, Ohio
Game information | ||
---|---|---|
|
Scoring summary | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bengals | 7 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 14 |
Browns | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
at Cleveland Browns Stadium, Cleveland, Ohio
Coming off their home win over the Redskins, the Bengals flew to Cleveland Browns Stadium for Round 2 of 2008's Battle of Ohio with the Cleveland Browns. Cincinnati would get the lead in the first quarter as cornerback Leon Hall returned an interception 50 yards for a touchdown which was his first interception of the year. Hall also intercepted two other passes giving him 3 total in the game. RB Cedric Benson carried the ball for a career-high 38 times for a career-high 171 yards. The Bengals would then add onto their lead in the second quarter as quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick completed a 20-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Chris Henry. From there on out, the defense prevented Cleveland from getting any kind of momentum.
With the win, the Bengals improved to 3–11–1.
Quarter | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chiefs | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 6 |
Bengals | 3 | 10 | 0 | 3 | 16 |
at Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
Coming off their divisional road win over the Browns, the Bengals went home, donned their alternate uniforms again, and closed out their season with a Week 17 duel with the Kansas City Chiefs. Cincinnati would get the first punch in the first quarter as kicker Shayne Graham got a 38-yard field goal. In the second quarter, the Bengals would increase their lead as running back Cedric Benson got a 2-yard touchdown run, followed by Graham's 30-yard field goal. After a scoreless third quarter, Cincinnati wrapped up its dominating day with Graham's 43-yard field goal. The Chiefs would respond with quarterback Tyler Thigpen completing a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight end Tony Gonzalez (with a failed 2-point conversion).
With the win, the Bengals finished their season at 4–11–1.
The 2006 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 74th season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League (NFL). It was the 7th season under the leadership of general manager Kevin Colbert and the 15th and last under head coach Bill Cowher, as he retired on January 5, 2007. The team failed to improve on their 11–5 record from 2005 and also failed to defend their Super Bowl XL championship, Instead, they finished the season with an 8–8 record and missed the playoffs for the first time since 2003. In the first half of the season, the Steelers record was 2-6. However, the team dramatically improved during the second half of the season, flipping their record from the first eight games and going 6-2 in their last eight.
The 2007 Atlanta Falcons season was the 42nd season for the franchise in the National Football League (NFL). They finished the 2007 season with a record of 4–12 and failed to improve upon their 7–9 record in 2006 after finishing third place in the NFC South.
The 2007 season was the Arizona Cardinals' 88th in the National Football League (NFL), their 20th in Arizona and their first under head coach Ken Whisenhunt. They improved upon their 5–11 record in 2006 after finishing last place in the NFC West, by finishing 8–8, but the failure of the Cardinals to qualify for the Super Bowl marked the 23rd consecutive year in which the Super Bowl did not include the team in whose region the game was being played in; Super Bowl XIV and Super Bowl XIX were the only postseasons with such an occurrence before 2007.
The 2007 San Francisco 49ers season was the franchise's 62nd season, and 58th in the National Football League (NFL). They ended their season with a disappointing record of 5–11 in 2007, failing to improve upon their 7–9 record from 2006. The 49ers offense struggled all season long—starting quarterback Alex Smith injured his shoulder early in the season, and newly promoted offensive coordinator Jim Hostler was the subject of much scrutiny and criticism regarding his play calling. Hostler was fired following the season.
The 2007 season was the St. Louis Rams' 70th in the National Football League (NFL) and their 13th in St. Louis. This would prove the fourth-worst season for the Rams during their time in St. Louis. The team looked to improve on an 8–8 record from 2006. However, the Rams slumped early, losing their first eight games of the season heading into their bye week. Following their bye, they would beat both New Orleans and San Francisco on the road before losing 5 of their last 6 games to conclude the season. The Rams 0–8 start to the season is the worst in franchise history and matched their 3rd ever longest losing streak. The Rams also went 1–7 at home in 2007, the worst in franchise history until it was broken by the 2009 team two years later. The Rams' defense was dismal and was the biggest scar on the team the entire season, as they allowed the second-most points in the league during the season with 438.
The 2007 Pittsburgh Steelers season was the franchise's 75th season as a professional sports franchise and as a member of the National Football League (NFL). It was the 8th season under leadership of general manager Kevin Colbert and the first under head coach Mike Tomlin, after going 8–8 last season. The Steelers finished the year at 10–6. However, they lost 31–29 at home to the Jacksonville Jaguars in the wild-card round.
The 2007 Cincinnati Bengals season was the 38th season for the team in the National Football League (NFL) and their 40th overall season. The team attempted to improve upon their 8–8 record in 2006 and were looking to return to the playoffs after narrowly missing them. They failed to do so, finishing with a 7–9 record.
The 2007 season was the Baltimore Ravens' 12th in the National Football League (NFL), their 9th and final under head coach Brian Billick, and their 6th season under general manager Ozzie Newsome.
The 2007 Tennessee Titans season was the franchise's 38th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the 48th overall. It also marked the franchise's 11th season in the state of Tennessee and the 14th under head coach Jeff Fisher. They improved from their 8–8 record from 2006 to a 10–6 record, and made the playoffs for the first time since 2003. However their season ended with a loss to the San Diego Chargers in the wild card round.
The 2008 season was the Washington Redskins' 77th in the National Football League (NFL) and their first under head coach Jim Zorn.
The 2008 Cleveland Browns season was the team's 60th season as a professional sports franchise and its 56th season as a member of the National Football League (NFL). The Browns finished with a 4–12 record and failed to qualify for the playoffs. The season marked Romeo Crennel's fourth year as head coach of the Browns. Cleveland played all of their home games at Cleveland Browns Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. To end the 2008 season, the Browns failed to score an offensive touchdown for 24 consecutive quarters and were shut out in their final two games, the last time a team would be shut out in back-to-back games until the Carolina Panthers were shut out in their final two games 15 years later. The Cleveland Browns failed to make the playoffs for the sixth consecutive season.
The 2008 Dallas Cowboys season was the franchise's 49th season in the National Football League (NFL). The season ended when the Cowboys were blown out by the Philadelphia Eagles 44–6 in week 17, their worst loss since the 1985 Chicago Bears came to Texas Stadium and beat the Cowboys 44–0. It was the last season the Cowboys played at Texas Stadium; they moved to Cowboys Stadium in 2009. Despite entering the last month of the season four games above .500, they failed to make the playoffs for the first time since 2005, losing three of their last four games and finishing with a 9–7 record.
The 2008 Houston Texans season was the franchise's 7th season in the National Football League (NFL) and the 3rd under head coach Gary Kubiak. Though the Texans lost their first four games of the season, they rallied and won five of their last six games, to finish with an 8–8 record for the second consecutive year.
The 2009 Cincinnati Bengals season was the 40th season for the team in the National Football League (NFL) and their 42nd overall. They finished the season at 10–6, and sweeping the entire AFC North division, they improved on their 2008 record of 4–11–1, winning the AFC North Division and making the playoffs for the first time since 2005. Their season ended with a 24–14 loss against the New York Jets in the AFC Wild Card Playoff Round.
The 2010 Cincinnati Bengals season was the 41st season for the team in the National Football League (NFL), and their 43rd overall. The Bengals looked to improve on their 10–6 record from 2009, during which they swept the AFC North for the first time in team history and made the playoffs as division champions. At the conclusion of the season, however, the Bengals finished 4–12 and were unable to qualify for the playoffs.
The 2010 Carolina Panthers season was the franchise's 16th season in the National Football League (NFL), and their ninth and final under head coach John Fox. They entered the season trying to improve on their 8–8 record from 2009, but failed to do so with a record of 2–14 and were officially eliminated from postseason contention in Week 11. It was the franchise's worst record between going 1–15 in 2001 and finishing 2–15 in 2023. In Week 16, the team clinched the NFL's worst record of the year and earned the #1 pick in the 2011 NFL draft. They would go on to select quarterback Cam Newton with that pick. On December 31, 2010, it was announced that the contracts of Fox and his entire coaching staff would not be renewed.
The 2010 season was the Kansas City Chiefs' 41st in the National Football League (NFL), their 51st overall and their second under the head coach/general manager tandem of Todd Haley and Scott Pioli. The team improved on its 4–12 record from 2009, won their first AFC West division title since 2003, and made the playoffs for the first time since 2006. In 2010, the Chiefs moved training camp to Missouri Western State University in St. Joseph, Missouri after spending the previous 19 summers in River Falls, Wisconsin. As of 2022, the 2010 Chiefs are the only NFL team since 2002 to win its division with a losing division record.
The 2010 Miami Dolphins season was the franchise's 41st season in the National Football League (NFL), the 45th overall and the third under head coach Tony Sparano. The Dolphins failed to improve upon their 7–9 record in 2009, and placed in third in the AFC East that year.
The 2010 season was the Buffalo Bills' 51st season in the National Football League (NFL), It was Buffalo's first season with Buddy Nix in the role of general manager and head coach Chan Gailey. The Bills hoped to improve on their 6–10 record from the 2009 season, and attempt to make the playoffs for the first time since 1999. The Bills had the 9th pick in the first round of the 2010 NFL draft selecting C. J. Spiller, a running back from Clemson. This season marks the first 0–8 start since 1984, in which they finished 2–14. They were eliminated from playoff contention in Week 12, extending their playoff drought to 11 seasons. Despite the poor start, Buffalo became largely competitive after the bye in Week 9.
The 2010 season was the New Orleans Saints' 44th in the National Football League (NFL) and their 35th playing home games in the Louisiana Superdome. From 2009, the Saints were coming off their first Super Bowl-winning season and the most successful in franchise history, having begun undefeated for 13 consecutive games only to lose their three final regular season encounters to finish 13–3. The Saints also attempted to win the NFC South Division title for the third time in history, earn their first consecutive postseason berths since 1991, and successfully defend their conference and league championships. The Saints failed to improve on their 13–3 record, finishing 11–5 and qualifying for the playoffs as a wild card team. The Saints were eliminated in the first round by the Seattle Seahawks, who were the first team with a losing record (7–9) to qualify for the playoffs and/or win a division title in a full season. Sean Payton served his fifth year as head coach.