World HOt toPPIX

Cincinnati Bengals nearly gave up a 23-point lead to the Cardinals in the fourth quarter. However the Bengals hold on to stay alive in the playoffs following a 23-16 win over the Cardinals.

Tony Tribble - APMore photos »2 days ago: Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Rey Maualuga runs an interception against the Arizona Cardinals in the first half of an NFL football game, Saturday, Dec. 24, 2011, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Tony Tribble)

It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon, with the Cincinnati Bengals sporting a comfortable fourth quarter 23-point lead. Suddenly the storm clouds rolled in with a vengeance with the Arizona Cardinals scoring 16 points in the fourth quarter, reaching Cincinnati?s 17-yard line on fourth and five with 1:18 remaining in the game. If not for the wide receiver slipping before reaching the endzone, John Skelton?s pass would have been completed for a game-tying or winning touchdown.

Instead it was turnover on downs and the Bengals regained possession for a depressing three-play possession, compounded with a Nate Livings personal foul, eventually giving the Cardinals the football at their own 40-yard line with 0:48 seconds remaining in the game. Cedric Benson was pulled from the game after two lost fumbles in the fourth quarter, helping the Cardinals big time with their fourth quarter comeback effort.

Eventually quarterback John Skelton moved the football to Cincinnati?s 34-yard line with six seconds remaining in the game, when the quarterback completed a 19-yard pass over the middle as the game?s clock expires, giving Cincinnati the 23-16 win.

The Cincinnati Bengals needed this win, keeping their overall playoff advantage against everyone save for the Jets, alive. We?re not just talking about the need to win out and hope for the Jets to trip up; rather the need to keep their distance from scavengers like the Tennessee Titans, Oakland Raiders and San Diego Chargers, waiting to pounce on a Cincinnati Bengals stumble.

And for their part, the Cincinnati Bengals held up their end. And through the first three quarters, they did it with discipline, brilliance, aggressiveness and near-perfect play-calling from the Bengals coaching staff. Despite the fourth quarter implosion that nearly led to an epic collapse, Cincinnati's first three quarters was a mixture of perfection in all three phases of the game.

Cincinnati jumped out with an early 10-point lead in the first quarter, behind tremendous field position and a stoic Andy Dalton distribution amongst weapons not just named A.J. Green. Most importantly during Saturday?s win over the Arizona Cardinals is Cincinnati?s defense pressuring quarterback John Skelton all afternoon, recording five quarterback sacks along with additional pressure and hits throughout the afternoon.

A.J. Green, showing affects from his shoulder injury, hauled in a 22-yard reception, giving him 1,031 during his rookie season, breaking Cris Collinsworth's franchise record for receiving yards by a rookie.

Read More: Cedric Benson (RB - CIN), John Skelton (QB - ARI), Andy Dalton (QB - CIN), A.J. Green (WR - CIN), Cincinnati Bengals, Arizona Cardinals, Arizona Cardinals at Cincinnati Bengals, Dec 24, 2011 1:

by Ochocinco on Dec 24, 2011 4:32 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs jets lose... we need to win or jets lost and we are in playoff...

by teotzin on Dec 24, 2011 4:34 PM EST reply actions Benson sucks He is a liability and almost made us lose a game we were up 23 points in the fourth quaurter.

by Doc Scratch on Dec 24, 2011 5:57 PM EST up reply actions WHO DEY!!!! We did it without with a rookie quarterback and wide receiver. Suck it Carson Poo Poo and Ochostinko, we don?t need you.

by D-Day77 on Dec 24, 2011 4:35 PM EST via iPhone app reply actions Reverse Cardiac Cats This Year Just can?t make it easy. Can they?

by JoeCB1991 on Dec 24, 2011 4:37 PM EST up reply actions Congrats on the win I?m speechless after what happened with Doucet but at least we made it interesting at the end? Looks like you will overtake the Jets for one of the wildcard spots so good luck in the Playoffs.

by CanadaBengal on Dec 24, 2011 4:40 PM EST up reply actions Hoping for a return for Peterson as well said so in the game thread. I like that dude.

by CanadaBengal on Dec 24, 2011 4:40 PM EST up reply actions No Titans and Raiders both win. If we lose next week and the Jets lose next week, the Bengals don?t do well with tie-breakers against the Titans and Raiders.

by Josh Kirkendall on Dec 24, 2011 4:44 PM EST up reply actions RE: Additionally if the Bengals lose and the Raiders win out, the Raiders have the tie-breaker as well.

by Josh Kirkendall on Dec 24, 2011 4:52 PM EST up reply actions We beat the Titans. Doesn't head to head figure into it? "If we always agree, one of us is not necessary"

by diehard bengals fan 20 on Dec 24, 2011 4:43 PM EST via mobile reply actions I'm hard pressed to think of any Bengal hilights in the second half 30 minute football. Can?t do that against the Ravens next week.

by KSE on Dec 24, 2011 5:04 PM EST up reply actions Great half again.... gotta put 2 of those together next week. Am thrilled though to be in this position, F B-more, we?re at home with our playoff hopes on the line??Who to the mother F?in Dey?!!!

by The Van Buren Boys on Dec 24, 2011 4:55 PM EST reply actions I'm not sure what makes me smile more... the Bengals victory or shutting Rex Ryan?

by SCbengalsfan on Dec 24, 2011 5:50 PM EST via mobile up reply actions If the defense doesn't fall to shit... if the defense lays on the fumble (although it didn?t look like anyone had it for real)

I didn?t really think either fumble was egregious negligence? one was weird, one was a good defensive play. However, he HAS to cover those better? felt like Ocho a few years back. Nerves gets to him, maybe.

by heywood08 on Dec 24, 2011 5:32 PM EST reply actions Just got back from the game. Jesus man. This was a rollercoaster of emotion. Went from getting hot chocolates and high fives at half time while Jerome?s ?I get high? touchdown replayed on the big screen to boiling mad. I have never heard 45k people groan at once but on Ced?s second fumble I experienced it and it was one of the most depressing things I?ve ever been a part of.

It was a great game for the first half. I was even saying it was one of, if not the best game they played all year. The ball was getting spread around. They were marching down field at will. The defense was making play after play. I have no idea what happened in the second half, but I do know that Cedric Benson has no place in Cincinnati after today.

by Bigcatdaddy on Dec 24, 2011 7:06 PM EST via Android app up reply actions Come back to a Bengals win And Detroit taking San Diego behind the woodshed like they deserve. I?m satisfied.

"It?s time people started realizing just how good a player Carlos Dunlap already is, and that starts with the Bengals. They gave him a season-high 58 snaps and what was the result? Carnage on the right side of the Seattle line."

We?ve developed a unique email newsletter that delivers the five most interesting Bengals stories fans are talking about every week. Each email is curated by an SB Nation editor who follows the Bengals the way you do: as a fan. Catch up and stay on top with one email containing stories worth your time.

You can unsubscribe at anytime, and we'll never use your address for evil. Not interested? Make this bar go away forever. You can always sign up later.