Early on, it appeared that the Bengals would do what they needed to do when facing one of the worst teams in the league -- beat the crap out of them.
And after two one-yard touchdown runs from quarterback Carson Palmer, the rout appeared to be on.
The Raiders have since worked their way back into the game, thanks to a 10-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Bruce Gradkowski to tight end Zach Miller and a 52-yard field goal from kicker Sebastian Janikowski.
The Bengals seemed to wake up after the margin was cut to four. But the Raiders stiffened on the doorstep of their end zone, thanks in large part to a sack from safety Stanford Routt on third and goal from the one -- and thanks in large part to a field goal try that Bengals kicker Shayne Graham pushed wide right.
The table is set for the Bengals to separate from the Ravens and Steelers, since both lost today. But if Cincy can't beat bad teams convincingly, the Bengals really aren't ready to join the NFL's elite.
Raiders hanging tough with Bengals
Posted by Mike Florio on November 22, 2009 6:08 PM ET
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I heard that the Bengals have never won any football game in Oakland. The only one time the Bengals beat the Raiders at home was in Los Angeles.
"The table is set for the Bengals to separate from the Ravens and Steelers, since both lost today. But if Cincy can't beat bad teams convincingly, the Bengals really aren't ready to join the NFL's elite."
...and the steelers are. after losing to kc.
shutup florio...we're undefeated on the road and 4-0 against Steelers/Ravens. and don't need to blow out teams (especially on road on west coast)
Florio I don't rag on you like a lot of other people do but destroying a team doesn't make you an elite team in the NFL. I am sure one of your "elite teams" are the Saints and they sure didn't convincingly beat the Rams or the Bucs a few weeks ago. The Patriots have lost to the Broncos who sure aren't the team people thought they were when they were 6-0. In the NFL a win is a win no matter what the score is or who the opponent is.
Here is a little clue, in the NFL most everything that happens in a game is, "in a large part" the result of some player making or not making a play.
thats a bit ridiculous florio.
a win's a win. who cares if its by 40 or by 1. I think the bengals will be happy with either, given that crappy division's performance today.
They have to beat bad teams 'convincingly'? That's the bar now? What's this, college football?
Does that mean the defending Super Bowl champs aren't among the 'elite' after getting beat by they Chiefs?
SawWyche eat it.
@SamWyche Apologize to Florio.
yea sam wyche you guys dont need to blow out teams on the road in the west a win would have done you fine...hahaha go raiders
# SamWyche says: November 22, 2009 6:13 PM
shutup florio...we're undefeated on the road and 4-0 against Steelers/Ravens. and don't need to blow out teams (especially on road on west coast)
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You STILL haven't won a game in Oaktown, lol.
Style points don't count, Florio. Remember when you used to be different than the usual assortment of tools that always follow the wake of the currently hot team? I do.