WEEK 2 @ DENVER Recap - Orton gets the last laugh

The BENGALS had a great opportunity to get off to a surprising 2-0 start on the road against a beaten up BRONCOS team. They had a great shot to walk away with a road win in Denver, something this franchise has not done since 1975. Once again we were punished by the gridiron gods and the BENGALS leave Colorado with a big fat L.

Kyle Orton's neighborhood watch rag tag group of skill position players defended their turf. The BENGALS and BRONCOS slugged it out in a wild and entertaining game. Orton got the best of the BENGALS secondary when he needed to hooking up with rookie wide out Eric Decker for two touchdowns. The later was an embarrassing play in witch Chris Crocker ran into Nate Clements and they both fell to the ground like Victor Ortiz. Decker was left standing there unharmed and 52 yards later the BRONCOS took a 9 point lead in the 4th quarter. Dalton showed fantastic leadership and poise making it a ball game by engineering a 4 play 80 yard touchdown drive. Hooking up with Simpson on a huge 84 yard pass and then served AJ Green his second career touchdown catch. The tightrope catch made by AJ was absolutely incredible. Making the score a two point gut check 22-24. This unfortunately ended up being the final score when the last whistle was blown. The defense did a great job giving the BENGALS a chance to win the game twice late in the 4th. Falling short both times on 4th and short yardage plays the offense did not get it done. Against a lighter less physical BRONCOS team it was disappointing to see the BENGALS fail on two short yardage game deciding situations.

The BENGALS did come together more as a team and showed the rest of the NFL that even in the face of defeat this team is coming to play 4 quarters of football. Long gone are the beaten down BENGALS who are going to sulk on the sidelines licking their wounds as they watched games slip away. This resilient team of hungry tigers will bring it and make every game a battle. With a soft schedule I am feeling more confident about a possible playoff run. I could see a sneaky 9-7 getting it done in the AFC this year. Lets just hope this team can maintain this type of never say die intensity and the mistake free Dalton can stay on track for 17 games.

This loss was not as painful as other disappointing losses in the past. I hate the phrase "moral victory" but this game left me feeling hopeful. Dalton's energetic leadership on the sidelines during the 4th quarter and his execution of the offense were both extremely impressive. Taking that sack in the 2 minute drill was a rookie mistake but its not head first QB slide fumble either.

The damage is done but at the end of the day we have a four way tie in the AFC North. This is going to be fun BENGALS fans. Stay tuned.

AFC NORTH STANDINGS
RAVENS: 1-1
BENGALS: 1-1
BROWNS: 1-1
STEELERS: 1-1

WHO DEY!!!