Which Cincinnati Bengals team will show up Sunday at Lambeau Field: the one that lost its first eight games in 2008 or the one that rebounded and posted a winning record in the second half of the season?
Last year, Cincinnati became one of nearly four dozen teams to open a season 0-8. More noteworthy, the Bengals became just the second team in NFL history to produce a winning mark in the second half of its schedule after such a dismal start.
Coach Marvin Lewis’ sixth year with the team was a huge disappointment. Offensively, the club ranked last in yards (3,926) and points (204) produced. Defensively, the numbers were better but not great — the team ranked 12th in yards (5,208) and 19th in points (364) allowed.
Cincinnati’s 4-11-1 record was its worst under Lewis. Since 2003, the team has gone 8-8, 8-8, 11-5, 8-8, 7-9 and 4-11-1.
Last year, quarterback Carson Palmer missed 12 games because of a tear in the ulnar collateral ligament in his right elbow. But rather than pack it in, the Bengals went 4-3-1 after the start of November.
In going from winless to competitive, Cincinnati made strides in two areas: running the ball and preventing others from doing so. The Bengals brought in former Bears running back Cedric Benson while tightening up on the other side of the ball.
Benson signed in time for the Bengals’ fifth game. He rushed for 137 yards in his first four outings as Cincinnati averaged 77.8 yards per game on the ground in that span. That average jumped to 112.3 yards per game after Benson gained 610 yards over the final eight games.
Cincinnati’s run defense improved as well. When winless, the Bengals gave up an average of 146.9 rushing yards per game. In the eight games afterward, the team permitted a stingier 93.3 yards per game.
Only the Vikings and Steelers gave up fewer rushing yards than the Bengals did in the second half of 2008.
In its last-second, season-opening, 12-7 loss to the Broncos, neither Cincinnati’s rushing offense or its defense was particularly impressive. Benson plugged away for 76 yards on 21 carries (3.6 average) and scored a touchdown. The Bengals gave up 75 yards on 20 carries (3.8 average) to Denver.
Starting 0-8 always has ensured a losing season. But in rebounding to the extent they did, the Bengals joined the Cardinals of 1978 as the only 0-8 teams to finish the season’s second half with a winning record.
The Cardinals went 6-2 after their winless ways under Bud Wilkinson.
The Packers are out to drop Cincinnati to 0-2 Sunday, one game deeper into another slow start.
The Bengals know a thing or two about bad beginnings. They have opened 0-8 more times — five (1978, 1991, 1993, 1994 and 2008) — than any other team in NFL history.
Extra point
Since 2008, the Bengals and the Rams are tied for the fewest touchdown passes thrown with 11.
Regular-season series
Overall: Series tied 5-5.
At Lambeau Field: Green Bay leads 4-0.
Starting quarterbacks
Packers: Aaron Rodgers (7-10 overall; 0-0 vs. Cincinnati).
Bengals: Carson Palmer (32-34-0 overall, 1-0 vs. Green Bay).
Once a Bengal, now a Packer
There are no former Bengals on the Packers’ roster.
Once a Packer, now a Bengal
Linebacker Abdul Hodge (2006) and quarterback J.T. O’Sullivan (2004) are former Packers.
