Late Afternoon NFL Games: Saints Roll; Steelers Stumble

After a steady drive brought them within striking distance, Cedric Benson just exploded outside for the Bengals, tiptoeing down the sidelines toward the tail end of a 23-yard touchdown run that just put the Bengals within five points of the Steelers. Benson’s career has been resuscitated to some degree in Cincy, and this latest touchdown run was his longest rush in more than 2 years.

And though they missed the two-point conversion, it also put the Bengals within a touchdown of the lead in Cincinnati. There is just over 8 minutes left in the fourth quarter, so stay tuned as the Bengals try to swing an upset, here.

If Miami is planning to comeback against the Chargers, they will have to do so without Chad Pennington. The floppy-haired starting QB was forced from the game late in the 3rd quarter with an apparent shoulder injury, and he will not return.

The Bengals’ Johnathan Joseph picked off Ben Roethlisberger and took it to the house for a 30-yard touchdown.

Then, a rarity: Cincinnati botched the extra-point snap, which sailed over the holder and kicker all the way back past the 35-yard line. The Bengals fell on it, and now the score is the always-awkward 13-9. Two Bengals safeties can tie it at 13 and allow everyone to forget this embarrassment.

After playing San Diego tough in Week 1 and then beating Kansas City in Week 2, it seemed as though Oakland was actually going to be competitive this season. Well, so much for that: the Raiders we all know and love are back.

Shockingly, the Saints’ Drew Brees has yet to throw for a touchdown versus the Bills, but New Orleans hold a three-point lead. If he keeps this up, he’ll be lucky to throw 300 touchdowns this season.

In Seattle, backup quarterback Seneca Wallace has stepped up admirably in the stead of the injured Matt Hasselbeck, throwing for 138 yards and a touchdown. The Seahawks lead the Bears, 13-7.

Bears fans hoping Chicago would continue the staunch defense it showcased last week versus Pittsburgh will be sorely disappointed: Julius Jones took a screen pass from Seneca Wallace 39 yards and scored, breaking a horrific Charles Tillman tackle in the process. The whole thing was almost as ugly as Seattle’s bright green uniforms, which is saying something.

The Saints drive down the field on their opening drive against the Bills which ends with a rushing touchdown from Lynell Hamilton . The Saints made quick work of the Bills defense, going 82 yards in 10 plays. Brees went 4-for-5 for 69 yards with three of those passes going to Marques Colston.

Five games kick off shortly after 4 p.m. Check out the game threads: