“I think, for the first time this year, we played a complete football game. We came out and played football.”

“That was amazing. Blowouts like this don’t happen against good teams. That’s a good, physical team offensively and defensively; they’re going to win games and make a push for the playoffs.”

If at the beginning of the season, we were all asked who would be the source of these quotes – we would not have even come close to guessing correctly.

The soundbites came from Cincinnati Bengals’ head coach Marvin Lewis and quarterback Carson Palmer following their lopsided victory of the Chicago Bears, 45-10.

Cedric Benson was extremely motivated for Sunday's game against Chicago.

Palmer had a magnificent day.  He went 20-24 for 233 yards and threw five touchdowns.  Superstar wide receiver Chad Ochocinco was the target for half of those completions, as the Oregon State product hauled in 10 receptions for 118 yards and two touchdowns.  To round out their potent offensive display, running back Cedric Benson – formerly of the Chicago Bears – rushed for 189 yards on 37 carries.

In other words, the Bengals did whatever they wanted to do whenever they wanted to do it on Sunday.  Cincinnati accumulated 30 first downs, didn’t give up a sack, and didn’t commit any turnovers on its way to the blow out win.

Chicago, on the other hand, coughed up the ball on four occasions.  Jay Cutler threw three interceptions, and the Bears also lost a fumble.  Bengals’ defensive back Leon Hall victimized Cutler twice on Sunday.

The Bengals improved to 5-2, and they are in first place by virtue of their victory against the Pittsburgh Steelers earlier in the season.  Cincinnati as the look of a team that is totally confident in its abilities.  The team is riding the wave of two important developments:

1. Carson Palmer has returned.  But not only has he returned, but he has returned healthy and rested.  He has provided the offense with the powerful arm that it lacked in his absence.

2. A refocused, re-dedicated Ochocinco.  He said that he was going to concentrate on playing football and having fun.  Even Skip Bayless couldn’t take him out of his game.

I have a feeling that things have become a lot easier in town for Marvin Lewis.  Having your two most respected players on one accord makes everything go smoother.  The big thing for the Bengals is how they will react to adversity. 

We’ll all hold our collective breaths and think positive thoughts.  Maybe – just maybe they won’t screw things up this time around.

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