‘New’ Bengals aren’t folding like past teams

Associated Press

CINCINNATI

The Bengals have figured out a way to go against their nature.

Instead of making the mind-boggling mistake that leads to a loss, Cincinnati has become cool under pressure. The Bengals improved to 3-2 by taking advantage of Jacksonville’s botched punt and misplayed snap in the closing minutes for a 30-20 win on Sunday.

“The good thing is we keep playing and don’t get too unnerved,” coach Marvin Lewis said on Monday.

That’s not their history.

They’ve managed only two winning records in the last 20 years because they’ve been masters of self-inflicted disaster. Whether it’s throwing a pass with the wrong hand, running over a teammate about to score or tipping a pass to the opposing team, the Bengals have found ways to lose games like no one else.

So far, this team has been different.

A victory at home on Sunday against 0-5 Indianapolis would allow the Bengals to equal their win total from last season, when they went 4-12 with a veteran group on offense — Carson Palmer, Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco.

They’ve been replaced by a bunch of newcomers who are too young to know any better ... or, in the Bengals’ case, any worse. Rookie quarterback Andy Dalton has led consecutive game-winning drives in the fourth quarter, throwing to rookie receiver A.J. Green and second-year tight end Jermaine Gresham when he needs a big play.

“We don’t flinch,” Green said.

That might be the best explanation for the surprising start.

“We’re so inexperienced, so young, that they have this ‘Let’s go’ kind of thing where they just don’t worry about it,” Lewis said.

These Bengals haven’t grown accustomed to losing.

“We were relentless,” defensive tackle Domata Peko said. “Even though they made some good plays, I think our old team would have folded. But this is a new squad and we have a lot of heart on this team.”