CINCINNATI BENGALS HISTORY: 2009
2009 FINAL RESULTS
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Record: 10-6-0 (1st in AFC North); 6-2 at home, 4-4 on road
Head Coach: Marvin Lewis
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| Date | Opponent | W-L | Score | Att. | Stadium |
| September 13 |
Denver |
L |
7-12 |
62,831 |
Paul Brown |
| September 20 |
at Green Bay |
W |
31-24 |
70,678 |
Lambeau Field |
| September 27 |
Pittsburgh |
W |
23-20 |
64,538 |
Paul Brown |
| October 4 |
at Cleveland |
W |
23-20 (OT) |
69,844 |
Cleveland Browns |
| October 11 |
at Baltimore |
W |
17-14 |
71,161 |
M&T Bank |
| October 18 |
Houston |
L |
17-28 |
64,019 |
Paul Brown |
| October 25 |
Chicago |
W |
45-10 |
64,900 |
Paul Brown |
| November 8 |
Baltimore |
W |
17-7 |
64,313 |
Paul Brown |
| November 15 |
at Pittsburgh |
W |
18-12 |
65,392 |
Heinz Field |
| November 22 |
at Oakland |
L |
17-20 |
34,112 |
Oakland Coliseum |
| November 29 |
Cleveland |
W |
16-7 |
64,553 |
Paul Brown |
| December 6 |
Detroit |
W |
23-13 |
62,545 |
Paul Brown |
| December 13 |
at Minnesota |
L |
10-30 |
63,854 |
Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome |
| December 20 |
at San Diego |
L |
24-27 |
68,889 |
Qualcomm |
| December 27 |
Kansas City |
W |
17-10 |
64,333 |
Paul Brown |
| January 3 |
at N.Y. Jets |
L |
0-37 |
79,106 |
The Meadowlands |
| AFC WILD CARD PLAYOFFS |
| January 9 |
N.Y. Jets |
L |
14-24 |
63,686 |
Paul Brown |
Bengals 2009 Summary
The Bengals returned to the postseason for the first time since 2005 after finishing with a 10-6 record and winning the AFC North. Cincinnati swept all six of its games against AFC North foes for the first perfect run in franchise history. This piece of team lore was accomplished in historically hairraising fashion. In Weeks 3-5, the Bengals defeated each division rival by three points (23-20 vs. Pittsburgh, 23-20 in overtime at Cleveland, and 17-14 at Baltimore). Cincinnati thus became the first team since the 1970 merger to win division games that closely (three points or less) in three successive weeks.
The season's accomplishments were overshadowed by the unexpected tragic deaths of Vikki Zimmer, wife of Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer, on Oct. 8, and wide receiver Chris Henry, who died at age 26 in an accident on Dec. 17 in Charlotte, N.C. Henry played in this season’s first eight games with the Bengals, but was sidelined for the remainder of the season with a left forearm fracture he suffered on Nov. 8 at Baltimore. After a follow-up exam in Cincinnati the week of Dec. 6, he had been cleared to be in Charlotte to be with his fiancé, Loleini Tonga and her family.
The Bengals finished the 2009 season ranked sixth in scoring defense at 18.2 points per game. They just missed equaling the franchise’s highest-ever NFL rank in scoring defense for a full season. The 1972 Bengals had the top ranking ever, finishing fifth in the league at 16.4 points allowed over a 14-game schedule.
Wide receiver Chad Ochocinco had a team-leading nine TDs (all receiving), his most since 2005, when he also had nine ... Ochocinco fell one TD catch short of tying his career high of 10, posted in 2003 ... Running back Cedric Benson rushed for 1251 yards, the seventh-best in Bengals history ... Benson had six 100-yard rushing games, a team record for an individual ... Cornerbacks Johnathan Joseph and Leon Hall each had six INTs this season, a career high for both players ... Hall led the team with 27 passes defensed, and Joseph was second at 25 ... Linebacker Dhani Jones had a team-leading 142 tackles, 41 more than second place Keith Rivers ... The Bengals ranked ninth in the NFL in fewest sacks allowed (29) ... Rookie Quan Cosby established a Bengals record for punt return yardage in a season (474) ... Cosby's total of 474 yards led the NFL.
2009: A CLOSER LOOK
PRO BOWL PLAYERS
Chad Ochocinco
2009 SEASON LEADERS
- Passing: Carson Palmer (466 Att, 282 Comp, 3094 Yds, 60.5 Pct, 21 TD, 13 Int, 83.6 Rating)
- Rushing: Cedric Benson (301 Att, 1251 Yds, 4.2 Avg, 42 Long, 6 TD)
- Receiving: Chad Ochocinco (72 Rec, 1047 Yds, 14.5 Avg, 50 Long, 9 TD)
- Scoring: Shayne Graham, 97 points (23 FG; 28 PAT)
2009 NEWS AND NOTES
- Defensive end Antwan Odom had five sacks Sept. 20 against the Packers, the most by an NFL player in any game since Sept. 30, 2007, when N.Y. Giants DE Osi Umenyiora had six against Philadelphia.
- In Games 3 and 4, the Bengals won vs. Pittsburgh and at Cleveland by the same score — 23-20. It marked the first time in franchise history for the team to win consecutive games or lose consecutive games by the same score in the same season.
- The 23-20 road win against Cleveland on Oct. 4 was the longest game the Bengals ever won. Four seconds remained in the overtime period when K Shayne Graham booted a 31-yard field goal to break a 20-all tie.
- The Bengals were the biggest hit ever on “Hard Knocks,” the reality-based football series that has aired during five summers on the HBO television network. The series — originally aired on Wednesday nights from Aug. 12 through Sept. 9 — saw national household ratings increase 57 percent and household impressions increase 66 percent over the show's 2008 airing that featured the Dallas Cowboys.
STADIUM
- Paul Brown Stadium
2009 Helmet/Uniform
2009 Logo
CB Johnathan Joseph
WR Chris Henry
