by Josh Looney

PRE-GAME, 10:45 AM (ET)

This is it everyone…we’ve arrived at Paul Brown Stadium here in Cincinnati for the 2008 season finale. One could argue, however, that the season is actually just getting started with the many upcoming decisions involving Arrowhead’s front office.

PRE-GAME, 11:13 AM (ET)
When we pulled into the stadium this morning there were about four people tailgating…only one of them mooned us. Not a bad ratio if you ask me.

PRE-GAME, 11:30 AM (ET)
Waiting in QB Tyler Thigpen’s locker upon arrival was a box of about 20 assorted doughnuts with big black marker presenting the box as “Tyler’s Pre-Game Meal.” Sounds like the work of pesky Bengals WR T.J. Houshamalkd;sadjfasfd. What a trickster.

PRE-GAME, 11:45 AM (ET)
INACTIVES…

CHIEFS
34 David Macklin
45 Michael Merritt
65 Tavares Washington
67 Barry Richardson
69 Derek Lokey
71 Andrew Carnahan
80 Jeff Webb
92 Wallace Gilberry

BENGALS
9 Carson Palmer is 3rd QB
23 Chris Perry
33 Kenny Watson
76 Levi Jones
79 Stacy Andrews
84 T.J. Houshmandzadeh
85 Chad Ocho Cinco
99 Jason Shirley

PRE-GAME, 12:00 PM (ET)
My thoughts on the Cincinnati nightlife experience last evening: Not many Bengals, but an inordinate amount of Cougars.

PRE-GAME, 12:15 PM (ET)
Heaven forbid we talk a little football here in the pre-game. Just look at the Bengals inactives…seriously, just look. Need I say more? There are five major pieces to that offense missing today. We’ll truly see what the Bengals are made of this afternoon…or at least what their reserves are made of.

PRE-GAME, 12:30 PM (ET)
Nothing beats a downtown stadium. Paul Brown Stadium isn’t one that gets much talk around the league, but I’m impressed with the facility.

PRE-GAME, 12:50 PM (ET)
As we close in towards kickoff it appears there may be little fanfare this afternoon.

1st Q, 14:53, KC 0, CIN 0
T Herb Taylor (or “Herbie the Love Bug” as Mitch Holthus likes to say) is the unlikely recipient of the opening kickoff and returns it to the KC 36 to start things off.

1st Q, 12:26, KC 0, CIN 0
I’m not sure how RB Jamaal Charles missed the opportunity to down Colquitt’s punt inside the two-yard line, but he did. The beat-up Bengals offense will begin on the 20.

1st Q, 9:15, KC 0, CIN 0
There’s no doubt about it…the Bengals are testing the Chiefs rushing defense early. So far, RB Cedric Benson is enjoying some nice rushing lanes from the Bengals front five as Cincy pushes into scoring range.

1st Q, 8:30, KC 0, CIN 0
The Bengals are forced to go to the air on fourth down in no-mans land and KC’s CB Brandon Flowers comes up big with perfect coverage to force an incompletion. KC will take over at their own 33 as they look to develop an identity offensively.

1st Q, 7:34, KC 0, CIN 0
A three-and-out for Thigpen and Co. as it appears that Tyler is not on the same page as his receiving core just yet. Look for Cincinnati to go back to the run again this drive as it was successful for the most part in their last possession.

1st Q, 3:14, KC 0, CIN 0
Benson continues to do a terrific job recognizing the cutback lane. KC’s second level has either been caught in a blitzing situation or by second-level linemen to enable the big cut lanes. CIncy at the KC 28.

1st Q, 1:41, KC 0, CIN 3
The Bengals crack the scoreboard first on what has been a very lethargic setting on a 38-yard FG by K Shayne Graham.

11 plays, 63 yards, 5:53

2nd Q, 14:36, KC 0, CIN 3
Thigpen and his receivers continue to struggle with communications on routes as KC is forced to punt again. It doesn’t look like there will be much offense on either side in this one.

2nd Q, 10:57, KC 0, CIN 10
The Bengals have seemed to wake from today’s sleepwalk and are now up two scores after a two-yeard TD plunge from Benson. The Chiefs, on the other hand, have yet to get up to game speed and don’t seem to have much energy. An inspired offensive drive could do wonders to change the pace.

6 plays, 87 yards, 3:39

2nd Q, 9:33, KC 0, CIN 10
Another three-and-out for the Chiefs has the hometown fans out of their seats as the offensive woes continue for KC.

2nd Q, 4:37, KC 0, CIN 10
The Bengals look like Cincinnati’s offense circa 2005 gaining yards like clockwork…except they shouldn’t. These guys are missing their two best lineman, their starting QB and two of the AFC’s biggest playmakers at wide out, yet they have begun to pick the Chiefs apart through the air as well as the ground. I’m not sure what can wake the Chiefs from their slumber  today.

2nd Q, 1:47, KC 0, CIN 13
Somehow, someway, KC limits the Bengals to another FG. Cincy has put together an absolute dominate first half, yet may only enter the half up one score should KC get on the board in their next drive.

In other news…the line judge just bit it hard, running into the chain gang. He got up all sorts of angry and was shaking his finger at the chain workers. What did the chain gain do? They were standing…I repeat, standing…in the same place they always stand. How is it their fault you ate some grinded rubber bits of artificial turf?

16 plays, 81 yards, 7:46

2nd Q, 0:30, KC 0, CIN 13
I haven’t seen this many miscommunications between a QB and a receiving core in quite some time. Are the Bengals disguising coverages, are they throwing a new look at the Chiefs? I’m not really sure.

2nd Q, 0:00, KC 0, CIN 13
Warning…this is going to be painful:
           
1st Downs    KC 2    CIN 17

HALFTIME: This is rather interesting…in fact, it’s the most entertainment of the day thus far. A Pop Warner team is taking on a team of mascots in a tackle football game. And let me tell you, the mascots team (featuring mascots from the Reds, Bengals, a turtle, gorilla and squirrel) isn’t holding back one bit. The Reds mascot horse collared a youth runner and then, of offense, took a pitch and stiff armed three kids to the turf, scored a TD and did the Icky Shuffle! Are you kidding me? Who does this guy think he is? He is getting booed like crazy for humiliating these seven-year olds. Here’s his mug if you see this evil soul…

3rd Q, 8:09, KC 0, CIN 13
The Chiefs defense, who has been on the field nearly the entire game, forces a punt after it appeared the Bengals were moving the ball again at will. Despite the statistics, today has been a pretty gutsy performance by the Chiefs defense.

The good news is KC has the football again…the bad news is that they have it on their own two-yard line, which is also the number of first downs gained on the day.

3rd Q, 4:03, KC 0, CIN 13
A big third down conversion has given the Chiefs signs of life as they cross mid-field for the first time today, I believe. As lifeless as this game has been for KC to date, capping off this drive with a TD puts them right back into the thick of things.

3rd Q, 2:59, KC 0, CIN 13
As soon as I open my mouth (or keyboard in this case), KC doesn’t gain another yard and is forced to punt. Cincy regains control of the football at their own 20.

On a side note, the Bengals haven’t given up a TD in nine-straight quarters should they close out the third period holding KC out of the end zone.

3rd Q, 0:00, KC 0, CIN 13
After forcing another Bengals punt, KC closes out the third quarter with the football closest to the Bengals goal line that they’ve been all day (CIN 46). They’ll face a second-and-ten when the final period begins. Each possession gets more important as the Bengals are already content just handing the football off to Benson and eating clock.

4th Q, 13:35, KC 0, CIN 13
Cincinnati holds of fourth down and the frustration of KC’s offense is evident as they head to the sideline.

4th Q, 10:07, KC 0, CIN 13
The Chiefs defense continues to do their job as the Cincy fans have diverted their attention away from the field and towards the execution of a perfected “wave.” KC football once again…it’s turning into a now or never situation.

4th Q, 8:17, KC 0, CIN 13
After moving the chains, a Bengals blitz disrupts a handoff to RB Jamaal Charles behind the line of scrimmage resulting in a loose football recovered by Cincy. They will take over at the KC 34. I’d almost be inclined to say that play seals the deal here at Paul Brown today…if the Bengals go up three scores, that almost will disappear.

4th Q, 6:21, KC 0, CIN 16
The turnover is converted into a trifecta from 43-yards out.

4th Q, 4:17, KC 0, CIN 16
Thigpen has led his offense on its best drive of the afternoon and is playing like the QB we’ve seen over the past several weeks for the first time today. He hooks up with WR Dwayne Bowe for a 32-yard connection to the one-yard line.

4th Q, 3:06, KC 0, CIN 16
Two pass plays and a wildcat run from the one lead to a fourth-down offensive PI call on Bowe that negate a TD. KC has to re-snap from the 11 and the rest is history, or is it? A defensive PI call puts the football back on the two.

4th Q, 2:20, KC 6, CIN 16
This time Gonzo puts six on the board just two plays later. The two-point play is knocked down, however and the outlook is dim despite the score.

11 plays, 91 yards, 4:01

4th Q, 2:19, KC 0, CIN 16
Cincy recovers the onside, which will force KC to use both their remaining timeouts.

4th Q, 0:00, KC 6, CIN 16
A 13-yard gain sticks a fork in the Chiefs chances today and will conclude the 2008 season with a 2-14 record.