Monday Morning Hangover: 3-11-1

The Cincinnati Bengals won for just the third time Sunday, topping the Cleveland Browns 14-0. The victory was the team’s first shutout since 2006 (also against Cleveland) and the fewest yards allowed, 182, in a game since 2000. It was a career day for ex-Bear Cedric Benson, who rushed for 171 yards on 38 carries, while on defense cornerback Leon Hall also set a team record with three interceptions.

For Cincinnati fans suffering through yet another double-digit-loss season, the win serves up a delicious helping of schadenfreude this a.m. The Cleveland Plain Dealer’s Terry Pluto calls the Browns’ loss “a pathetic finish to a woeful season,” and notes that Hall racked up more yardage on his three picks than the Browns had passing all day. Fellow columnist Bill Livingston writes that the Browns have hit “rock bottom” in losing to the Bengals, and dumps the loss in Ken Dorsey’s lap. Over at Sports Illustrated, Don Banks goggles at Cincinnati’s “leather-helmet era” passing stats and observes that the Browns’ players are doing nothing to help embattled coach Romeo Crennel.

But while it’s nice to be on the giving end of such an early Christmas gift (especially to a division rival), the win was at least as much, if not more, a Browns loss as it was a Bengals victory. The Chickster says that while the Browns were physically present, “they were nowhere to be found in spirit.” Doc issues the annual warning against reading anything into the Dead Cat Bounce. “Since 1991, when Mike Brown assumed control of the club, the Bengals have won exactly 100 games,” he notes. “Thirty-three have come in December. The flurry of late-season adequacy has, at times, moved ownership to conclude the team was not in need of major overhaul. Large mistake.” Even T.J. Houshmandowner got into the act, dismissing the idea that a late winning streak would have any impact on the 2009 season.

Of course, that assumes that the Bengals finish the season with a win at home against Kansas City next week. The Chiefs have a worse record (2-13) than the Bengals, but like Cincinnati continue to play hard despite front office turmoil and last-minute losses. And unlike the Bengals, the Chiefs have shown the ability to put up points, such as the 31 they scored in yesterday’s loss to Miami. With Ryan Fitzpatrick at the helm, the Bengals have not scored more than 21 in a game.

But…that’s next weekend. For now, enjoy the win.