Irrelevance

      Sunday was the first Bengals game in 54 weeks not to sell out.  Fans around the tri-state were forced to listen on the radio or, like many I'm sure, completely disregard the game matching two teams with a combined 3-15 record.  And ironically, if you weren't a Bengals fan, it was the most exciting NFL game of the weekend.
      I was one of the poor souls who found somewhere to watch the game online.  Bad decision.  Cincinnati sprinted out to a 28-7 lead.  It looked like they would finally beat a team with far less talent (which is usually the case).  It looked like I would, for the first time in seven weeks, be able to proudly wear my Carson Palmer jersey to class Monday morning.  Not quite.
      The Bills outscored the Bengals 42-3 in the final 32 minutes.  Ryan Fitzpatrick picked apart the Bengals secondary like they were a poor high school defense.  Carson Palmer's efficient first-half performance turned into an all-too familiar two interception day.  A Cedric Benson fumble (yet again) was returned for a touchdown.  They continued to find new ways to lose.  Everyone is looking for a reason.  With this many weapons, how are they this bad?
      First, the passing game.  Terrell Owens, while being an experienced and productive asset, has proved to be a problem.  And no, it's not the usual team chemistry problem we're used to.  His presence, in my opinion, is the main reason for the struggles of Palmer.  Owens has gotten twice as many targets as Chad Ochocinco, a Pro-Bowler last year.  Chad is open.  I still think he has some of the quickest feet in the league.  Owens past success and demand for the ball has completely concentrated Palmer's focus.  He never equally spreads the ball.  He looks for one receiver over and over again, then switches targets.  Therefore, there is no overall rhythm.  And for the defense, I only have one piece of information.  Yesterday, defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, dealing with several injuries, walked to the other end of the Bengals' sideline and informed Jordan Shipley and Quan Cosby that they may be used at cornerback.  Enough said.
      At first, there was hope that they'd do better.  Then, there was confusion as to how a team this "good" could lose this many games.  Now, their is acceptance, anger, and embarrassment.  Terrell Owens' press conference after the game sums it up perfectly.  "Let me look you in the eyes and emphasize -- we are terrible...Maybe I'm bad luck.  But at this point, its just unthinkable.  Unbelievable."