The final score was Cincinnati 34 San Diego 27, which appears as if this might have been a close game, but don't be deceived it wasn't close at all. The Charger defense, which failed to force a punt 2 Sundays ago versus Denver, gave up 225 rushing yards and 454 total yards. If that stat does nothing to illuminate the poor defensive play, John Kitna had 4 touchdown passes in the first half!
This game was never in doubt, the Bengals had 14 points on the board while the pathetic Charger offense had ran only 4 plays. The Chargers came back to score the next 13 points but the Bengals then turned on the gas and went into the half up 28-13 and didn't look back.
If the Bengals make the playoffs it will shed them of the longest current drought held by a team (12 years) and the Chargers will pick up that title who will now fail to make the playoffs for the 8th straight year and are guaranteed a losing record.
Over the past 2 games opponents have converted 65% of their third down conversions and yesterday the only time the Bengals failed to convert was not because of any great defensive effort.
Next up will be the Kansas City Chiefs coming to San Diego. The Chiefs could view this game as a scrimmage and could eaisly amass 1,000 yards of total offense....maybe by halftime. There is absolutely no part of the San Diego Charger team that is functioning at level that is remotely competitive by NFL standards.
Marty Schottenheimer, Dale Lindsey (defensive coordinator) and Cam Cameron (offensive coordinator) all should be fired 1 second after the final game of this season.
The Bengals ran 85 plays to San Diego's 55 and dominated time of possession 38:18 to 21:42. ... The Bengals had a season-high 33 first downs, just two off the club record. They also converted 13 of 20 third downs. ... In the last three games, the Chargers have allowed an average of 33 points and 454 yards. ... Wiley, the Chargers' $40 million defensive end, got just his secondsack of the season and forced Kitna to fumble on the play
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