This was definitely Bizzaro World for the Bengals today.

To wit:

1. Bengals Start Strong. The Bengals haven’t started a game strong since the Carter administration.  Okay, maybe not that bad, but it seems like it.  The Bengals lead 13-0 at one point.  I let myself feel good about the lead.  I should’ve known.

2.  Bengals Give up the Lead. Okay, this one is not so Bizzaro.  The defense, which looked really strong in the first quarter, all of a sudden let Colt McCoy look like Joe Montana.  In all fairness, McCoy through the ball well, but the defensive secondary suddenly became a sieve.  Browns score 17 unanswered points.  Malaise sets it.

3.  Second Half Starts, Gradkowski in.  I saw Bruce Gradkowski and I wanted to cry.  The announcers saw Gradkowski come in and incredulously (stupidly?) said something like, “But Andy Dalton played well!”  Then the other announcer probably smacked him over the head and they show the clip of Dalton gettin’ pancaked at the end of the half.  With Gradkowski in, the Bengals punt the ball four times in a row.  I thought we were doomed.

4.  The Rain.  Not only were we punting the ball like mad, the rain starts to pour.  The astute announcers say, “Looks like this could have an impact on the outcome of the game.”  My stomach churns in assent.  We punt again.  Again, I thought we were doomed.

5.  Bruce “Heads Up” Gradkowski:  No one in the stadium was ready for this play, especially the cameramen.  I don’t even remember what the hell the down and distance were.  The Browns were still in the huddle and the Bengals snap the ball.  Bruce throws a perfect pass to previously frustrated A.J. Green.  Hell, I didn’t even know what was happening.  All I saw during the live broadcast was the ball in the air and then a touchdown.  It was beautiful.

6.  Defense Goes from Sieve to Lock Down.  Great job by the Bengals to bear down on the Browns, especially by Mr. Sack Master (giggle) Carlos Dunlap.  They won’t be elite, but they won’t be the Achilles heel, either.

This was a game that had a Bengals Loss all over it.  Losing the starting QB.  Backup QB comes in, looks pretty bad.  A.J. Green is frustrated all day and then is redeemed by the TD catch.  Jermaine Gresham had a drop or two, but makes some great catches.  Andy Dalton started out great.  Benson seals the deal with 121 yards and a TD.  According to Joe Reedy, the X-rays are negative and should be back next week.

Dare I be excited about the Bengals?

Maybe a little bit.

One game at time, as the cliche goes.