Graham's 31-Yarder In OT Seals Another Thriller For Bengals

NFL News - October 4th, 2009 - Written by John

What was supposed to be a one-sided snoozer turned out to be the game of the day as Cincinnati needed an overtime field goal to turn away the Browns, 23-20, on Sunday. Carson Palmer ran for 15 yards on fourth down late in overtime to set up Shayne Graham's 31-yard field goal as time expired to give the Bengals their third win of the year, all coming in thrilling fashion.

With just over a minute left in the game, the Bengals had a chance to settle for the tie. They were on the Browns 41-yard line, faced with fourth-and-11, and had the opportunity to punt it away and finish at 21-all. But head coach Marvin Lewis decided to go for it and Palmer scrambled out of pressure in the pocket, running for his life up the middle. He stretched out to the 26 and the Bengals ran two plays to drain the clock and get Graham in better position.

The result was a sterling kick up the middle, giving the Bengals another big win after coming back to beat Pittsburgh in Week Three. Cincinnati is now inexplicably in first place in the division because they have one more division win than Baltimore.

Chad Ochocinco had two touchdown catches on the day and Palmer finished with 230 yards through the air.

It seems like Eric Mangini made the correct choice in benching Brady Quinn in favor of Derek Anderson. No his 269 yards weren't spectacular, but the offense wasn't causing anxiety. They scored their first offensive touchdown of the season on a pass to Steve Heiden and Anderson ran for another score in the third quarter. The Browns were heavy nine-point underdogs heading into the game but were surprisingly efficient with Anderson under center.

He hit Mohammed Massaquoi eight times for 148 yards and was able to carry the Browns to 395 total yards. It was the first time the Browns outgained any team this season.

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