Cincinnati Bengals Notes, Quotes 2009-01-29

--The Bengals were 4-3-1 in games in which they scored first and 0-8 in games in which the opponent did.


--The Bengals are 22-1 in their last 23 games when a rusher carries 25 or more times. TB Cedric Benson added to the list the last two weeks of the season, rushing 38 times for 171 yards in a 14-0 victory at Cleveland and 25 for 111 in a 16-6 victory over Kansas City.

The Bengals, however, have had only four games in the last two seasons with a 25-carry rusher. Cincinnati's only loss in the last 23 with a 25-carry rusher was Dec. 24, 2006, at Denver, when the Broncos overcame a 30-for-129 day by Rudi Johnson in a 24-23 win.

--With his three 100-yard rushing games this season, Benson became the 20th Bengal to hit the 100 mark in a game.

--The Bengals' secondary looks well-stocked for 2009, led by CB Leon Hall, who continued a strong 2008 finish by posting a team-leading nine solo tackles with two passes defensed in the Kansas City game. Hall closed the season with a team-leading 26 passes defensed. He also led the team in interceptions, getting each of his three at Cleveland on Dec. 21, tying a team record. His 50-yard interception return for a touchdown was one of the season's most dramatic plays, giving the Bengals an early 7-0 lead in a game they would win 14-0.

Hall led the secondary in tackles (84) for the year and also had a fumble recovery.

--The finale against Kansas City officially brought the club's sellout streak to 44 (regular-season and postseason games). That's a club record, surpassing a 43-game streak set at Riverfront Stadium from the 1988 opener through the 1992 finale. The current streak began against Kansas City on Nov. 16, 2003.

Total home attendance for the 2008 regular season was 516,663, fifth in club history. The top five seasons have been recorded in the last five years. The club record, from 2006, is 527,870.

QUOTE TO NOTE: "We have to continue to improve and do a lot better. During the offseason, I have to catch up, get my strength back and continue to study film." -- LB Keith Rivers, coming off minor ankle surgery.




Author: Fox Sports
Author's Website: http://www.foxsports.com
Added: January 29, 2009