LaDainian Tomlinson and the Chargers invade Paul Brown Stadium for a Sunday clash with the Cincinnati Bengals. The 6-2 Chargers etched out a sloppy win at home against the Cleveland Browns. Meanwhile the stumbling 4-4 Bengals played a sloppy game that got them a road loss against the tough Baltimore Ravens, creating dissent in the team. Wide Receiver Chad Johnson criticized the rest of the Bengals for not playing as a team.
Both teams were losing at the half in last week’s game. It was attitude that made the difference in the end. Bad attitude, bad result, good attitude, and well you can guess. We could guess the much hyped up LaDanian Tomlinson and crew are coming to raise some more questions about the Bengals.
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The Bengals will have to make a more compact team effort to come out with a win against the Chargers. Their loss to the Baltimore Ravens came off of a 17-0 run initiated by two turnovers that were turned into touch downs. A fumble that later was ran in from the 2 yard line by Jamal Lewis and a 49 yard interception that was initially caught and ran back 24 yards by Samari Rolle who then flicked it off to Ed Reed who drove it in.
The 17 point deficit came at the feet of Matt Stover on the first of four, during the second quarter to later be cut down by T.J. Houshmandzadeh’s 26 yard reception from Carson Palmer. Matt Stover piled on three more after the half time break. Shayne Graham kicked two for the Bengals and Rudi Johnson ran in a 4 yarder. The Ravens prevailed by holding on to the off the ropes lead and by keeping Chad Johnson out of this one. He caught only four. Chad was not pleased, going as far as mentioning his ability over the rest and the reason why he should receive more throws.
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The Cleveland Browns led the Chargers 12-10 into the half as well. San Diego’s Nate Kaeding made a 29 yard boot to open up but was out kicked by Phil Dawson who put through four of his own before the half. San Diego’s other score came off a fumble from Charlie Frye who got hit by Randall Godfrey, Marques Harris landed on it to score a defensive touchdown.
After a halftime full of Marty Schottenheimer blasts the San Diego team took charge and came out with true form. They pinned the Browns deep in their territory and made them punt. The excellent positioning ensued in a LaDanian Tomlinson 41 yard sprint that placed the Chargers 12-17, a lead that Tomlinson himself would maintain, scoring another two more in the fourth quarter on 7 and 8 yard runs. Vincent Jackson converted a 2 pointer from a pass by Philip Rivers. Phil Dawson put up another two and made it six field goals for the day while a meaningless touch down by Braylon Edwards came in with a Charlie Frye pass.
Both teams should have and could have come out stronger for their games but they didn’t. It was in the team spirit to recover attitude or not, a factor which brought one from behind and created unity and sunk another and created dissent.
That dissent will transcend into this game and we say take the visitor. At a pick or -1 San Diego is the way to go. Vegas couldn’t make up their mind on this one, not wanting to out rule the home team but their lack of unison will do them in. Take the over, grab some chips. Enjoy. This game will be fun.
