Cincinnati Bengals Flashback: 3 big moments vs. Bears
By Eric Bruns
Sept. 5, 2005 – Bengals Win on Path to First Playoff Appearance for Palmer & Lewis
Marvin Lewis began his tenure with the Bengals in 2003. After one year under his belt, he was able to draft Carson Palmer in 2004, then in Palmer’s second year, they led the franchise to their first playoff appearance since 1990.
Palmer had a solid 2005 season throwing for 3,836 yards and 32 touchdowns and making his first Pro Bowl appearance. They started the season against division rivals the Browns winning 27-13. Then in Week 2, they easily handled the Vikings winning 37-8.
Week 3 they faced Kyle Orton and the Bears in Chicago. Well, it appears the Bengals didn’t care where they faced the Bears because they thrashed them. The score might not reflect the dominating performance the Bengals would put up, as the good guys got up 17-0 and each team scored a touchdown in the fourth quarter to end the game 24-7.
Cincy was always in control of the game. Palmer threw for three touchdowns with two going to Chad Ochocinco (still Chad Johnson then) and one to Chris Henry (R.I.P.). But it wasn’t just the offense that had their way with the Bears.
Kyle Orton threw five interceptions on 39 attempts, only completing 17 of them. All five going to a different Bengal, so clearly Orton was trying to imitate Oprah on this September afternoon. The Bengals went on to lose to the Steelers in the Wild Card weekend.