2006 Cincinnati Bengals season
Owner	Mike Brown
Head coach	Marvin Lewis
Offensive coordinator	Bob Bratkowski
Defensive coordinator	Chuck Bresnahan
Home stadium	Paul Brown Stadium
Results
Record	8–8
Division place	2ndAFC North
Playoffs	Did not qualify
Pro Bowlers	None
Uniform
← 2005 Bengals seasons 2007 →

The2006 Cincinnati Bengals season was the franchise's 37th season in theNational Football League (NFL), 39th overall, and 4th underhead coachMarvin Lewis. It began with the team trying to improve on their 11–5 record in2005, defending their AFC North Division Championship title. They also attempted to progress further through the playoffs than they made in the 2005 season, having lost to Pittsburgh in the 1st round after the loss of star quarterback Carson Palmer to injury on the second play of the game. However, the team failed to improve on their 11–5 record to finish at 8–8, and missing the playoffs just the year after they made it to the playoffs.

^[1]

Exceeding expectations, Carson Palmer was able to play on his reconstructed ligaments in only 8 months. There was a minor controversy when it appeared thatMarvin Lewis wantedCarson Palmer to play in the preseason earlier than Carson said.^[2] The controversy was dismissed by Lewis as miscommunication andsensationalism by the media. Carson's fame was boosted by a favorable interview with Sports Illustrated which documented his recovery progress.

During the 2006 off season and season, nine different Bengals players were either arrested or suspended. The sports media wrote extensively on the legal woes and character questions of some of the Bengals players. The media also commonly noted that the 2006 Bengals had more arrests than wins.^[3]

• Chris Henry: marijuana charges,pulling a gun on a group in Orlando, speeding and drunk driving, providing alcohol to minors, over the course of several months in four different incidents over that time.
• Odell Thurman: suspended for the first four games of the 2006–2007 regular season due to a drug-test related suspension. Odell stated this was due to his skipping a test, not failing one, and chalked it up to being immature. In addition to Thurmans's drug-related suspension, he was arrested for drunk driving early Monday morning after the Bengals' victory over the Pittsburgh Steelers. Thurman was scheduled to be in court on October 2, 2006.
• Frostee Rucker: two counts of spousal abuse, and vandalism (the alleged incident occurred prior to Cincinnati drafting him).
• A.J. Nicholson: charged with burglary; he was previously arrested twice on suspicion of alcohol-related offenses (the alleged incident occurred prior to Cincinnati drafting him).
• Matthias Askew: subdued by a taser after refusing to move his allegedly illegally parked car (Askew was cut from the team during the preseason games. He is currently seeking legal action against the officers responsible for his being tasered in a lawsuit worth $50 million after the charges were proven unfounded).
• Eric Steinbach: charged with boating under the influence.
• Reggie McNeal: charged with resisting arrest and drug possession (December 3, 2006)
• Deltha O'Neal: charged with driving while intoxicated following a traffic stop (December 9, 2006).

A lawsuit introduced by a county commissioner charging the Bengals' organization with making a deal in bad faith between the organization and county taxpayers was dismissed, without even having its merits considered.^[4]

This articleis written like a story. Please helprewrite it in aneutral,encyclopedic style.(December 2007)

Note: Intra-divisional opponents are inbold text

atArrowhead Stadium,Kansas City, Missouri

The Bengals opened the regular season on the road against theKansas City Chiefs on September 10. The Chiefs scored first on a 29-yard field goal by kickerLawrence Tynes. In the second quarter, the Bengals scored 17-straight points. Bengal kickerShayne Graham tied the game up with a 37-yard field goal,Rudi Johnson ran 22 yards for a touchdown, andKenny Watson ran 8 yards for another touchdown, making the score 17–3 at halftime. After both sides failed to score in the third quarter, which was marked by Chief quarterbackTrent Green being injured and leaving the game, Graham made the score 20–3 with a 42-yard field goal. A Chiefs' come back fell short, as they could only score on a 9-yard touchdown pass from Chief back-up quarterbackDamon Huard to tight endTony Gonzalez. A 36-yard field goal by Graham would be the final score of the game, leaving the Bengals 1–0.

atPaul Brown Stadium,Cincinnati, Ohio

The Bengals began Round 1 of 2006'sBattle of Ohio in the Week 2 home-opener against theCleveland Browns. Cincinnati scored first on a 22-yard TD pass to wide receiverKelley Washington fromCarson Palmer. The Browns responded with a 30-yard FG by kickerPhil Dawson. The Bengals extended their lead with an 8-yard TD pass to wide receiverChad Johnson. In the second quarter, kickerShayne Graham made a 37-yard field goal as time ran out to give Cincinnati a 17–3 halftime lead. In the fourth quarter, Graham would give the Bengals a 37-yard field goal, and the Browns responded with a 1-yard touchdown run by running backReuben Droughns. Two touchdown runs by Bengal running backRudi Johnson put the game out of reach. The Browns scored one more touchdown with quarterbackCharlie Frye's 2-yard run, but it was not enough as the Bengals improved to 2–0.

Several Bengals were injured during this game.David Pollack, a 2nd year linebacker, suffered a non-paralyzing broken neck (fracturing his C6 vertebra), and would miss the rest of the season. SafetyDexter Jackson suffered a severe ankle sprain. CenterRich Braham also suffered a leg injury, and was expected to be out for some weeks. Wide receiver,Chad Johnson appeared dinged up too. On his 8-yard touchdown reception, he appeared to have an injured shoulder (made noticeable by his unenthusiastic post-score celebratory dance). Even though he continued to play, he appeared to be in pain. Later in the game, during a Browns interception, he was blocked by a Brown's safety, which gave him a concussion. Special team starter,Tab Perry, injured his hip, and missed a number of games.

atHeinz Field,Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

The Bengals maintained a shared lead in the AFC North (3–0, 2–0) by defeating thePittsburgh Steelers 28–20 atHeinz Field inPittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The game was marred by sloppy play by both teams, but Cincinnati benefitted greatly by creating 5 Steeler turnovers and blocking aJeff Reed field goal attempt.

Running backWillie Parker scored for Pittsburgh, with a touchdown on their first drive of the game. Following aDeshea Townsend interception ofCarson Palmer, the Steelers drove into the redzone, but aBen Roethlisberger pass was intercepted by safetyMadieu Williams in the end zone, and returned to the three-yard line. A 97-yard Bengal drive was capped by a 16-yard touchdown pass from Palmer toChris Henry. Following a blocked field goal byJohn Thornton, Palmer and Henry would connect for another touchdown late in the second quarter, which gave Cincinnati a 14–7 lead at halftime.

In the third quarter, Pittsburgh built momentum, scoring a field goal on their first drive. AnIke Taylor interception of Palmer, set up the Steelers on the Bengals' 7-yard line.Willie Parker scored 4 plays later, giving the Steelers a 17–14 lead. After the touchdown, both offenses stalled. The next seven drives ended in either punts or turnovers.

With 8 minutes left in the game, the Bengals were forced to punt. A muffed return byRicardo Colclough, and recovery byTony Stewart, gave the Bengals the ball on the Steelers' 9-yard line. Palmer threw a touchdown toT. J. Houshmandzadeh on the first play from scrimmage, giving the Bengals a 21–17 lead. The Bengal defense forced a fumble on the next Steeler drive, giving the Bengals the ball on the Steeler 30-yard line. On the first play of the drive, Palmer again connected with Houshmandzadeh for a touchdown, extending the Bengal lead to 28–17. On the next possession, the Steeler offense drove to the Bengals' 18 and added another Jeff Reed field goal. After forcing a Bengal punt, the Steelers took possession on their own 11-yard line, with 2:42 left in the game. Roethlisberger drove the Steelers down to the Bengals' 16-yard line, but his pass intended forNate Washington in the end zone, was intercepted byKevin Kaesviharn.

The Bengal win improved their record to 3–0. However, the Bengals allowed 6 sacks, gave up 3 turnovers and were unable to involve either of the "Johnsons" as a significant part of their offense. The Bengals looked to improve in week 4 at home against the Patriots.

• 
  Pittsburgh on offense against the Bengals
• 
  Willie Parker andDeltha O'Neal
• 
  Hines Ward andTory James
• 
  KickerJeff Reed warms up against Cincinnati
• 
  Cincinnati prepares to face aBen Roethlisberger snap
• 
  Pittsburgh with possession against Cincinnati
• 
  Ben Roethlisberger,Brian St. Pierre, andTrai Essex

Odell Thurman was arrested for a DUI with teammatesChris Henry andReggie McNeal in the vehicle. Odell had just entered the 3rd game of a 4-game suspension for violating the NFL's drug policy, and the NFL suspended him for the remainder of the season.

atPaul Brown Stadium,Cincinnati, Ohio

The Bengals quarterback protection was an issue, asCarson Palmer was sacked four times during this game. Last year, Palmer was better protected, having been sacked 21 times for the entire year. Entering this game, he has been sacked 16 times. For the offense and defense the running game proved problematic.Rudi Johnson failed to gain 50 yards on the ground while the Patriots' running backs, former BengalCorey Dillon and rookie RBLaurence Maroney, combined for 192 rushing yards.Caleb Miller started in the right linebacker position and led the Bengals in tackles during the game.

The passing offense for the Bengals was largely unsuccessful. Although wide receiverT. J. Houshmandzadeh gained 95 yards, his starting counterpart,Chad Johnson, could not gain more than 65.^[5] WideoutChris Henry was deactivated for the game for what was believed to be a disciplinary measure by Head CoachMarvin Lewis for his involvement inOdell Thurman's DUI incident.^[6]

This was the first game thatCorey Dillon played atPaul Brown Stadium as a non-Bengal, during a regular season game. His controversial behavior in his latter years with the Bengals made him a target for many fans' anger.^[7][8][9] According to post-game reports, Dillon waved running backMaroney off the field when the Patriots were close to scoring a touchdown, so Dillon could run it in himself. Afterward, he threw the football into the stands^[10] and his celebration drew a flag for a personal foul from the referees.

The Bengals fell to second place in theAFC North (3–1) after the disappointing loss to thePatriots. Going into a bye-week, the extra time off gives injured Bengals time to recuperate.

The NFL determined Chris Henry would be suspended for the next 2 NFL games due to his involvement with the DUI incident involving Odell Thurman.^[11]

atRaymond James Stadium,Tampa, Florida

Coming off their bye-week, the Bengals traveled toRaymond James Stadium for a Week 6 fight with theBuccaneers. After a scoreless first quarter, Cincinnati took an early lead, as quarterbackCarson Palmer threw a 33-yard TD pass to wide receiverT. J. Houshmandzadeh for the only score of the half.

In the third quarter, the Bucs would tie the game, as quarterbackBruce Gradkowski completed a 2-yard TD pass to tight endAlex Smith. The Bengals would regain the lead when kickerShayne Graham kicked a 37-yard field goal. In the fourth quarter, Graham would help Cincinnati increase their lead with a 47-yard field goal. During the Buccaneers' final drive, on 1st down, after entering the red zone, defensive endJustin Smith apparently made the first sack of Gradkowski for the game, during a solo tackle. However, the officiating crew felt Smith drove Gradkowski's head into the ground, and penalized the Bengals for roughing the passer. During the play, Smith caused a fumble which was recovered by the Bengals. When the recovery was overturned due to the controversial call, Tampa Bay kept possession of the ball. On fourth down, the Bucs scored an 8-yard TD pass from Gradkowski to wide receiverMichael Clayton. Originally, the catch was ruled incomplete, but replays proved that Clayton managed to break the plane of the goal line before losing the ball.

With less than :30 left in the game, the Bengals drove from their 30-yard line to Buccaneer territory. With :06 left, they attempted a 62-yard field goal against the wind, but missed.^[12] With the loss, Cincinnati fell to 3–2.

Penalty Controversy
In a post-game interview whenMarvin Lewis was asked howJustin Smith might have avoided drawing the controversial roughing the passer penalty during the attempted sack, he responded "I don't know. I guess you have to cuddle him to the ground."^[13]

Justin Smith said "I've never seen anything like that in my six years in the NFL." The official who made the call "must have season tickets down here." He further explained "The dude (QB) ducked", suggesting it wasn't the force of Smith tackling but the QB's effort to double-over and protect the ball that made it appear he was being forced into the ground head first.

Houshmandzadeh said "You might as well put a red jersey on (Gradkowski) and play two-hand touch."

atPaul Brown Stadium,Cincinnati, Ohio

Hoping to rebound from last week's loss to theBuccaneers, the Bengals prepared for a showdown with thePanthers. This game saw the return of 3rd down running backChris Perry and safetyDexter Jackson. In the first quarter, Bengal defense allowed a 7-yard TD pass from quarterbackJake Delhomme to tight endKris Mangum for the quarter's only score. In the second quarter, the Bengals when quarterbackCarson Palmer completed a 16-yard TD pass to tight endReggie Kelly. Delhomme countered with a 20-yard TD pass to running backNick Goings.

After halftime, Cincinnati's offense found its stride. KickerShayne Graham nailed a 23-yard field goal in the third quarter, and Carson Palmer completed a 1-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverT. J. Houshmandzadeh. The drive was kept alive by a 4th and 1play action pass, where Palmer tossed a high arcing pass down the sideline to a sprintingChad Johnson, who caught it for a 32-yard gain. The Panthers' last scoring opportunity ended when Delhomme threw his first career interception toKevin Kaesviharn. The Bengals improved to 4–2, and tied the Ravens for the lead in the AFC North.

After being relatively silent for most of the season, Chad Johnson spoke out boastfully before the Atlanta game predicting he would score multiple touchdowns and jeopardize the job security of rival defensive back,DeAngelo Hall, who entered the game with four interceptions.^[14][15] Chad stated he was using this opportunity for the offense to regain some of its confidence and swagger.

atPaul Brown Stadium,Cincinnati, Ohio

Following their victory against thePanthers, the Bengals played another home game, this week, against the visitingFalcons. In the first quarter, the Falcons drew first blood, as kickerMorten Andersen nailed a 42-yard field goal. The Bengals responded with a 1-yard TD run by running backRudi Johnson. Atlanta cut the lead to one point, when Andersen kicked a 40-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Cincinnati added to their lead with quarterbackCarson Palmer's 12-yard TD pass to wide receiverChad Johnson. The Falcons responded with quarterbackMichael Vick's 16-yard touchdown pass to tight endAlge Crumpler. Bengal kickerShayne Graham converted a 51-yard field goal with :20 left before halftime.^[16]

In the third quarter, Vick completed a 26-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverMichael Jenkins. Graham would kick a 26-yard field goal for Cincinnati's only score of the quarter. Vick scored another touchdown, on an 8-yard pass to fullbackJustin Griffith. The extra point ended with a bobbled snap, and a failed two-point conversion. In the fourth quarter, Andersen converted a 39-yard field goal. Palmer responded with a 55-yard touchdown to WRChris Henry. Cincinnati's comeback hopes ended with :13 left, when Carson Palmer was sacked, and fumbled, which was recovered by Atlanta. The Bengals record fell to 4–3.

It was this week that the former "Chad Johnson" revealed his name change to "Chad Ocho Cinco" on his warmups, which was rumored to lead to his being fined $5,000.^[17]

atM&T Bank Stadium,Baltimore, Maryland

The Bengals flew to Baltimore toM&T Bank Stadium for anAFC North fight with theRavens. The Bengals trailed for the entire game. Running backJamal Lewis scored on a 2-yard touchdown run. Baltimore's second score came when quarterbackCarson Palmer was intercepted by Raven cornerbackSamari Rolle at midfield. Rolle would lateral to free safetyEd Reed, who completed the return for a touchdown. In the second quarter, kickerMatt Stover converted a 43-yard field goal for the Ravens. The Bengals would finally score with 1:12 left in the half, with a 26-yard touchdown from Palmer to wide receiverT. J. Houshmandzadeh.

In the third quarter, Stover kicked 25-yard and 36-yard field goals, while Cincinnati kickerShayne Graham converted a 51-yard field goal attempt. In the fourth quarter, the Bengals' running backRudi Johnson scored on a 4-yard touchdown run. Stover added another field goal, from 35 yards. Graham added a 31-yard field goal, but the Ravens emerged as the victor, and the Bengals' record fell to 4–4.

• 
  The Bengals on defense against Baltimore
• 
  Jeremi Johnson runs the ball,Ray Lewis misses tackling him
• 
  Johnathan Joseph andTodd Heap
• 
  Diving catch byReggie Kelly
• 
  Domata Peko tacklesMusa Smith
• 
  Baltimore makes an interception againstChris Henry (wide receiver)

atPaul Brown Stadium,Cincinnati, Ohio

The Bengals were home for their Week 10 match-up with theSan Diego Chargers. The Bengals struck first, with fullbackJeremi Johnson's 3-yard TD run. Running backRudi Johnson scored next on 7-yard TD run. QuarterbackCarson Palmer completed a 51-yard pass to wide receiverChad Johnson for the third touchdown of the first quarter. In the second quarter, the Chargers managed to get on the board with running backLaDainian Tomlinson's 9-yard touchdown run. Cincinnati responded with 7-yard touchdown reception by wide receiverChris Henry.

In the third quarter, Tomlinson scored again on a 4-yard touchdown run, and quarterbackPhilip Rivers threw a 46-yard touchdown pass toCharger wide receiverMalcom Floyd. The Bengals responded with kickerShayne Graham's 21-yard field goal. The Chargers struck again on Rivers's 9-yard touchdown pass to tight endBrandon Manumaleuna. Bengals countered with Palmer throwing a 73-yard touchdown to Chad Johnson. In the fourth quarter, San Diego took the lead, when Tomlinson scored on 2-yard and 9-yard touchdown runs. Graham kicked another field goal for the Bengals, from 44 yards out, but the Chargers held the lead, and Rivers tossed a final 5-yard touchdown pass to Manumaleuna. The Bengals' record fell to 4–5 with the loss.

at theLouisiana Superdome,New Orleans, Louisiana

Hoping to keep slim playoff hopes alive, the Bengals traveled to theLouisiana Superdome for a Week 11 fight with theSaints. In the first quarter, the Bengals drew first blood as quarterbackCarson Palmer completed a 41-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverChad Johnson. The Saints would reply when quarterbackDrew Brees completed a 72-yard touchdown strike to wide receiverJoe Horn. Midway through the second quarter, Cincinnati took the lead, when kickerShayne Graham booted a 21-yard field goal.

After a scoreless third quarter, New Orleans still trailed by three points. In the fourth quarter, Saints kickerJohn Carney tied the game with a 24-yard field goal. The Bengals offense awoke, and Palmer and Johnson connected with each other two times on 60-yard and 4-yard touchdown passes. The Bengal defense scored too, when rookie defensive backEthan Kilmer returned a Brees interception 52 yards for a touchdown. The Saints offense could only manage one more score, when Brees completed a 27-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverTerrance Copper. The Bengal defense then blocked the extra point attempt. Even though the Bengals were out-gained 595 yards to 385 yards,^[18] the Bengals snapped their three-game skid, and their record improved to 5–5.

atCleveland Browns Stadium,Cleveland, Ohio

Coming off a road win over the Saints, the Bengals flew toCleveland Browns Stadium for Round 2 of theBattle of Ohio against theBrowns. From beginning to end, Cincinnati dominated the game. In the first quarter, running backRudi Johnson scored on a 1-yard touchdown run for the only score of the period. In the second quarter, quarterbackCarson Palmer completed a 7-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverChris Henry, and kickerShayne Graham completed a 24-yard field goal.

In the third quarter, Palmer threw a 6-yard strike to wide receiverT. J. Houshmandzadeh, but Browns defensive end,Simon Fraser, blocked the extra point. In the fourth quarter, Palmer and Henry would score again on a 10-yard touchdown pass. With their second consecutive sweep of Cleveland, the Bengal record improved to 6–5.

atPaul Brown Stadium,Cincinnati, Ohio

Coming off of their shutout of the Browns in Cleveland, the Bengals returned home for a Thursday night fight in anAFC North rematch against theRavens. After a scoreless first quarter, kickerShayne Graham scored on 23- and 27-yard field goals, which gave the Bengals the lead at halftime.

In the third quarter, the Bengals added onto their lead when quarterbackCarson Palmer completed a 40-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverT. J. Houshmandzadeh on a flea flicker. In the fourth quarter, the Ravens attempted a late comeback. QuarterbackSteve McNair completed a 36-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverDerrick Mason, but the Bengals squashed Baltimore's comeback, by recovering the Ravens' onside kick. With the win, the Bengals improved to 7–5.

Chris Perry suffered a season-ending injury during this game.^[19]

Deltha O'Neal became the 8th Bengal since the 2005 – 2006 season to be arrested. He was charged with drunk driving. O'Neal was listed as "inactive" for the upcoming Raiders game.^[20]

atPaul Brown Stadium,Cincinnati, Ohio

The Bengals week 14 game saw the 2–10 Raiders visitingPaul Brown Stadium.Chris Henry put the Bengals on the board first, on an 8-yard pass fromCarson Palmer. Later in the first quarter,Rudi Johnson scored on a 9-yard run. In the second quarter,Sebastian Janikowski converted a 33-yard field goal attempt.

The Bengals struck two more times in the third quarter on 6-yard Rudi Johnson run, and a 20-yard strike from Palmer to Houshmandzadeh. The lone Raider touchdown was scored on anAaron Brooks-to-Ronald Curry 6-yard pass in the fourth quarter. The Bengal defensive kept the Raiders offense from threatening much of the game, allowing only 45 yards rushing.^[21]

Even though quarterbackCarson Palmer threw 3 interceptions (two toNnamdi Asomugha and one toFabian Washington), and running backRudi Johnson turned the ball over in the second quarter, the 4 turnovers given to the Raiders were not enough opportunities for the Oakland offense to create points. Bengal mistakes were systemic, as even kickerShayne Graham missed an extra point, bouncing the ball off the left upright in the third quarter. Cincinnati was not forced to punt once during this game. For the first time in Bengals' history, four players were over 100 yards in offensive production (Palmer,Houshmandzadeh,Chad Johnson andRudi Johnson). The fourth straight win improved the Bengals' record to 8–5, and put them into wild card contention.

at theRCA Dome,Indianapolis, Indiana

The Bengals flew to theRCA Dome for a Monday Night game with theIndianapolis Colts. In the first quarter, things started slowly, with Colts kickerAdam Vinatieri kicking a 30-yard field goal, which Bengal kickerShayne Graham countered with a 27-yard field goal. In the second quarter, Indianapolis took the lead when quarterbackPeyton Manning threw a 4-yard touchdown to wide receiverMarvin Harrison. Running backRudi Johnson answered with a 12-yard touchdown run. Manning and Harrison scored again with a 3-yard TD pass.

In the third quarter, Graham kicked a 30-yard field goal. The four-point Colt lead would be as close as Cincinnati could pull, as Manning completed two more touchdowns: a 1-yard pass to Harrison, and an 18-yard pass to wide receiverReggie Wayne. In the fourth quarter, Cincinnati's only score was a Graham 28-yard field goal. The Colts' Vinatieri added a final score, a 44-yard field goal, to hand the Colts an 18-point victory. The loss dropped the Bengals' record to 8–6, and delivered their division rival, theBaltimore Ravens, theAFC North crown.

atInvesco Field at Mile High,Denver, Colorado

The Bengals flew toInvesco Field for a snowy Week 16 intraconference game with theBroncos. In the first quarter, Cincinnati scored first with running backRudi Johnson's 6-yard touchdown run for the only score of the period. In the second quarter,Jay Cutler tied the game at seven, with a 1-yard TD pass to tight endTony Scheffler. Cutler then handed Denver the lead with a 39-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverJavon Walker. The Bengals cut the Bronco's lead with kickerShayne Graham's 46-yard field goal, and quarterbackCarson Palmer gave the Bengals the lead with an 11-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverChris Henry.

In the second half, Denver pulled ahead with running backMike Bell's 2-yard touchdown run, and kickerJason Elam's 24-yard field goal. Cincinnati would pull within one point with Palmer's 10-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverT. J. Houshmandzadeh. On the extra point attempt, holderKyle Larson allowed the snap to fly between his hands, securing the Broncos' win. The Bengal loss dropped their record to 8–7.

atPaul Brown Stadium,Cincinnati, Ohio

The Bengals wrapped up their regular season at home with a must-winAFC North rematch game against thePittsburgh Steelers. The Bengals had two possible options for reaching the post-season:

• 1 – A Bengals win and aJets loss, or
• 2 – AKansas City Chiefs win, aDenver Broncos loss, and a Bengals win.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Steelers struck first when running backWillie Parker scored a 1-yard touchdown run. Cincinnati got on the board whenShayne Graham kicked a 34-yard field goal.

After a scoreless third quarter, the Bengals took the lead after recovering aWillie Parker fumble for a touchback.^[22] QuarterbackCarson Palmer completed a 66-yard touchdown to wide receiverChris Henry. Undaunted, Pittsburgh retook the lead when Parker scored on a 1-yard touchdown run. Cincinnati would again retake the lead when Palmer completed a 5-yard touchdown pass to tight endTony Stewart. The Steelers tied the game late in the 4th quarter when kickerJeff Reed kicked a 35-yard field goal. The Bengals managed to move into field goal range, but, Graham's potential game-winning 39-yard field goal attempt went wide right.

In overtime, the Steelers won when quarterbackBen Roethlisberger threw a 67-yard touchdown pass to wide receiverSantonio Holmes. With the loss, Cincinnati fell to 8–8, and their season-ending, three consecutive losses, eliminated the Bengals from the playoffs. In a cruel twist of fate, theChiefs defeated theJaguars and theBroncos lost to the49ers, meaning that the Bengals cost themselves a playoff berth. It was Marvin Lewis' third 8–8 season in his four years as the Bengals head coach.

• Carson Palmer QB, AFCPro-Bowl Selection
• Chad Johnson WR, AFCPro-Bowl Selection
• Willie Anderson RT, AFCPro-Bowl Selection

• Chad Johnson WR,1st Team All-Pro
• Willie Anderson RT,1st Team All-Pro

• Carson Palmer 1st 4000 yard passing season (4,035 yards)^[23]
• Rudi Johnson 3rd 1000 yard rushing season (1,309 yards)^[24]
• Chad Johnson 5th 1000 yard receiving season (1,369 yards)^[25]

• List of organizational conflicts in the NFL

• Official website
• 2006 Cincinnati Bengals atPro-Football-Reference.com

• 2006 NFL season by team
• Cincinnati Bengals seasons
• 2006 in sports in Ohio

• Articles with short description
• Short description matches Wikidata
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• Wikipedia articles with style issues from December 2007
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