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2004 Cincinnati Bengals season
2004 Cincinnati Bengals season
2004 Cincinnati Bengals season
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Cincinnati visits Washington in week 10 of 2004

Key Information

The 2004 Cincinnati Bengals season was the team's 37th year in professional football and its 35th with the National Football League (NFL). The Bengals began to focus on the future, trading All-Pro running back Corey Dillon to the New England Patriots. That cleared the way for Rudi Johnson to start at running back. Carson Palmer was given the starting quarterback job. He sat out the 2003 season, making 2004 his rookie year. Palmer and the young Bengals would struggle early, losing five of their first seven games. As the season wore on, the Bengals began to hit their stride, as they climbed back to .500, at 6–6, before a sprained knee sent Palmer to the sidelines during a 35–28 road loss to the eventual Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.

With wins in their final two games, the Bengals would finish 8–8 for the second year in a row. Rudi Johnson finished sixth in the NFL in rushing with 1,454 yards, giving Bengals fans hope for the future.[1]

This season would see the Bengals make their first appearance on Monday Night Football since 1992, a win at home against the Denver Broncos on October 25.

Offseason

[edit]

NFL draft

[edit]
Main article: 2004 NFL draft
2004 Cincinnati Bengals draft
Round Pick Player Position College Notes
1 26 Chris Perry  RB Michigan
2 49 Keiwan Ratliff  CB Florida
2 56 Madieu Williams  S Maryland
3 80 Caleb Miller  LB Arkansas
3 96 Landon Johnson  LB Purdue
4 114 Matthias Askew  DT Michigan State
4 117 Robert Geathers  DE Georgia
4 123 Stacy Andrews  OT Ole Miss
5 149 Maurice Mann  WR Nevada
6 183 Greg Brooks  DB North Texas
7 218 Casey Bramlet  QB Wyoming
      Made roster    †   Pro Football Hall of Fame    *   Made at least one Pro Bowl during career

[2]

Personnel

[edit]
2004 Cincinnati Bengals staff

Front office

Head coaches

Offensive coaches

Defensive coaches

Special teams coaches

Strength and conditioning

  • Strength and conditioning – Chip Morton
  • Assistant strength and conditioning – Ray Oliver

Roster

[edit]
2004 Cincinnati Bengals roster
Quarterbacks (QB)

Running backs (RB)

Wide receivers (WR)

Tight ends (TE)

Offensive linemen (OL)

Defensive linemen (DL)

Linebackers (LB)

Defensive backs (DB)

Special teams (ST)

Practice squad

Reserve

Rookies in italics
53 active, 16 reserve, 7 practice squad

Regular season

[edit]

The 2004 season constituted the first time since 1991 that the Bengals played the Washington Redskins, and the match produced their first ever away win over that franchise.[3] The reason for this is that before the admission of the Texans in 2002, NFL scheduling formulas for games outside a team’s division were much more influenced by table position during the previous season.[4]

Schedule

[edit]
Week Date Opponent Result Record Venue Recap
1 September 12 at New York Jets L 24–31 0–1 Giants Stadium Recap
2 September 19 Miami Dolphins W 16–13 1–1 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
3 September 26 Baltimore Ravens L 9–23 1–2 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
4 October 3 at Pittsburgh Steelers L 17–28 1–3 Heinz Field Recap
5 Bye
6 October 17 at Cleveland Browns L 17–34 1–4 Cleveland Browns Stadium Recap
7 October 25 Denver Broncos W 23–10 2–4 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
8 October 31 at Tennessee Titans L 20–27 2–5 The Coliseum Recap
9 November 7 Dallas Cowboys W 26–3 3–5 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
10 November 14 at Washington Redskins W 17–10 4–5 FedEx Field Recap
11 November 21 Pittsburgh Steelers L 14–19 4–6 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
12 November 28 Cleveland Browns W 58–48 5–6 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
13 December 5 at Baltimore Ravens W 27–26 6–6 M&T Bank Stadium Recap
14 December 12 at New England Patriots L 28–35 6–7 Gillette Stadium Recap
15 December 19 Buffalo Bills L 17–33 6–8 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
16 December 26 New York Giants W 23–22 7–8 Paul Brown Stadium Recap
17 January 2 at Philadelphia Eagles W 38–10 8–8 Lincoln Financial Field Recap
Note: Intra-divisional opponents are in bold text

Season summary

[edit]

Week 2

[edit]
Team 1 234Total
Dolphins 0 3010 13
• Bengals 0 0133 16
Scoring summary
Q212:39MIAMare 43 yard field goalMIA 3–0
Q312:01CINSimmons 50 yard interception return (Graham kick)CIN 7–3
Q35:11CINGraham 48 yard field goalCIN 10–3
Q30:13CINGraham 36 yard field goalCIN 13–3
Q43:39MIAChambers 4 yard pass from Feeley (Mare kick)CIN 13–10
Q41:53MIAMare 47 yard field goalTie 13–13
Q40:02CINGraham 39 yard field goalCIN 16–13

[5]

The win snapped the Bengals' nine-game losing streak against the Dolphins, beating them for the first time since the 1977 season.[6]

Standings

[edit]
AFC North
W L T PCT DIV CONF PF PA STK
(1) Pittsburgh Steelers 15 1 0 .938 5–1 11–1 372 251 W14
Baltimore Ravens 9 7 0 .563 3–3 6–6 317 268 W1
Cincinnati Bengals 8 8 0 .500 2–4 4–8 374 372 W2
Cleveland Browns 4 12 0 .250 2–4 3–9 276 390 W1
AFC[7]
# Team Division W L T PCT DIV CONF SOS SOV STK
Division leaders
1 Pittsburgh Steelers North 15 1 0 .938 5–1 11–1 .484 .479 W14
2 New England Patriots East 14 2 0 .875 5–1 10–2 .492 .478 W2
3[a] Indianapolis Colts South 12 4 0 .750 5–1 8–4 .500 .458 L1
4[a] San Diego Chargers West 12 4 0 .750 5–1 9–3 .477 .411 W1
Wild cards
5[b] New York Jets East 10 6 0 .625 3–3 7–5 .523 .406 L2
6[b] Denver Broncos West 10 6 0 .625 3–3 7–5 .484 .450 W2
Did not qualify for the postseason
7[c][d] Jacksonville Jaguars South 9 7 0 .563 2–4 6–6 .527 .479 W1
8[c][d] Baltimore Ravens North 9 7 0 .563 3–3 6–6 .551 .472 W1
9[c] Buffalo Bills East 9 7 0 .563 3–3 5–7 .512 .382 L1
10 Cincinnati Bengals North 8 8 0 .500 2–4 4–8 .543 .453 W2
11[e] Houston Texans South 7 9 0 .438 4–2 6–6 .504 .402 L1
12[e] Kansas City Chiefs West 7 9 0 .438 3–3 6–6 .551 .509 L1
13[f] Oakland Raiders West 5 11 0 .313 1–5 3–9 .570 .450 L2
14[f] Tennessee Titans South 5 11 0 .313 1–5 3–9 .512 .463 W1
15[g] Miami Dolphins East 4 12 0 .250 1–5 2–10 .555 .438 L1
16[g] Cleveland Browns North 4 12 0 .250 1–5 3–9 .590 .469 W1
Tiebreakers[h]
  1. ^ a b Indianapolis clinched the AFC #3 seed instead of San Diego based upon head-to-head victory.
  2. ^ a b New York Jets clinched the AFC #5 seed instead of Denver based upon better record against common opponents (New York Jets were 5–0 to Denver’s 3–2 against San Diego, Cincinnati, Houston, and Miami).
  3. ^ a b c Jacksonville and Baltimore finished ahead of Buffalo because they each defeated Buffalo head-to-head.
  4. ^ a b Jacksonville finished ahead of Baltimore based upon better record against common opponents (Jacksonville were 3–2 against Baltimore’s 2–3 versus Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Buffalo and Kansas City).
  5. ^ a b Houston finished ahead of Kansas City based upon head-to-head victory.
  6. ^ a b Oakland finished ahead of Tennessee based upon head-to-head victory.
  7. ^ a b Miami finished ahead of Cleveland based upon head-to-head victory.
  8. ^ When breaking ties for three or more teams under the NFL's rules, they are first broken within divisions, then comparing only the highest-ranked remaining team from each division.

Team leaders

[edit]

Passing

[edit]
Player Att Comp Yds TD INT Rating
Carson Palmer 432 263 2897 18 18 77.3

Rushing

[edit]
Player Att Yds YPC Long TD
Rudi Johnson 361 1454 4.0 52 12

Receiving

[edit]
Player Rec Yds Avg Long TD
Chad Johnson 95 1274 13.4 53 9

Defensive

[edit]
Player Tackles Sacks INTs FF FR
Landon Johnson 133 2.0 0 1 1
Justin Smith 97 8.0 0 2 2
Tory James 74 0.0 8 2 1

Kicking and punting

[edit]
Player FGA FGM FG% XPA XPM XP% Points
Shayne Graham 31 27 87.1% 41 41 100.0% 122
Player Punts Yards Long Blkd Avg.
Kyle Larson 83 3499 66 1 42.2

Special teams

[edit]
Player KR KRYards KRAvg KRLong KRTD PR PRYards PRAvg PRLong PRTD
Cliff Russell 39 872 22.4 40 0 0 0 0.0 0 0
Keiwan Ratliff 0 0 0.0 0 0 17 207 12.2 49 0

Awards and records

[edit]

Pro Bowl Selections

[edit]

All-Pro Award

[edit]

Milestones

[edit]

NFL Records

[edit]
  • 2nd Highest scoring regular season game in NFL history (58–48 win over the Cleveland Browns on November 28, 2004)

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

2004 Cincinnati Bengals season

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
The 2004 Cincinnati Bengals season was the franchise's 37th in the () and its second under . The team compiled an 8–8 record, finishing third in the division behind the and , and failed to qualify for the playoffs. This campaign represented the second consecutive non-losing season for the Bengals, signaling ongoing improvement from a franchise that had not posted a winning record in 12 straight seasons prior to Lewis's arrival in 2003. Under Lewis, the Bengals traded longtime running back Corey Dillon to the New England Patriots in the offseason, paving the way for Rudi Johnson to emerge as the lead back. Johnson rushed for a then-franchise-record 1,454 yards, earning his first Pro Bowl selection and finishing sixth in NFL rushing. Quarterback Carson Palmer started the first 13 games before a knee injury sidelined him, with Jon Kitna stepping in to lead the team to a 3–2 finish. Wide receiver Chad Johnson, a Pro Bowl staple, led the Bengals in receptions (95) and receiving yards (1,274), while offensive tackle Willie Anderson and cornerback Tory James also earned Pro Bowl nods, marking the team's highest total (four) since 1990. Notable highlights included their return to Monday Night Football after 12 years with a 23-10 upset victory over the Denver Broncos on October 25, complete with a pre-game lights ceremony by Leslie Nielsen, where Chad Johnson caught 7 passes for 149 yards and a touchdown against Champ Bailey; a 58–48 shootout victory over the on November 28, the highest-scoring game in AFC history and the second-highest scoring game ever at the time with 106 total points and the most since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger; Another dramatic win came on December 5 against the Baltimore Ravens, where the Bengals trailed 20-3 entering the fourth quarter before Carson Palmer threw three touchdown passes—including two to Chad Johnson and one to T.J. Houshmandzadeh—to take the lead, with Shayne Graham kicking the game-winning field goal at the buzzer for a 27-26 victory. and the debut of their alternate orange jerseys in a 26–3 home win against the on November 7, the first use of that color in franchise history. All eight regular-season home games at Stadium sold out, drawing a total attendance of 524,248—the first full season of sellouts since the stadium opened in 2000. Kicker set a team record with 122 points scored, underscoring the offense's potency that ranked 10th in the league with 374 total points. Despite these strides, defensive inconsistencies contributed to the .500 finish, setting the stage for the Bengals' first playoff appearance the following year.

Offseason

NFL Draft

Coming off an 8-8 record in the 2003 season, the entered the with assets acquired through strategic trades in the first round. Initially holding the No. 17 overall pick, they traded it to the on April 9 for Deltha O'Neal, the Broncos' No. 24 pick, and a fourth-round selection (No. 117). They then traded the No. 24 pick to the on for the No. 26 pick and a 2005 third-round choice, allowing them to select later while gaining future assets. The Bengals used their first selection at No. 26 to draft running back Chris Perry from , aiming to add a versatile complement to existing back and strengthen the ground game. In the second round, they targeted the secondary—needing depth despite the O'Neal acquisition—by selecting Keiwan Ratliff from at No. 49 and safety Madieu Williams from at No. 56 (acquired via trade from the ). The full draft class included 11 players, with subsequent picks focusing on linebacker, defensive line, offensive line, , and positions to build roster depth under head coach . O'Neal started the first five games but was released on October 19 after recording no interceptions and struggling in coverage, prompting further adjustments in the secondary.
RoundOverall PickPlayerPositionCollege
126Chris PerryRB
249Keiwan RatliffDB
256Madieu WilliamsDB
380Caleb MillerLB
396Landon JohnsonLBPurdue
4114Matthias AskewDTMichigan State
4117Robert GeathersDEGeorgia
4123Stacy AndrewsT
5149Maurice MannWR
6183Greg BrooksDBSouthern Miss
7218Casey BramletQB
The draft emphasized immediate help in the backfield and defensive backfield, with expected to contribute as a multi-purpose runner and the secondary additions providing competition and depth for a rebuilding defense.

Free Agency and Transactions

In the 2004 offseason, the Cincinnati Bengals made several moves to address roster needs following their 8-8 finish in 2003, emphasizing depth at and along the offensive and defensive lines under Marvin Lewis's push for roster discipline. On February 12, the team signed Herbert Goodman, a veteran who had previously played for the and Washington Redskins, to bolster depth behind the starting backfield amid uncertainties with key players. This move provided insurance at a position that would soon undergo significant change, as the Bengals sought to manage constraints while transitioning to younger talent. A pivotal transaction occurred on April 19, when the Bengals traded star running back , their all-time leading rusher and a three-time Pro Bowler, to the in exchange for a second-round draft pick (the 56th overall selection). The deal, which provided cap relief of $1.3 million for , signaled a shift toward building around emerging players like and reflected Dillon's expressed desire to leave the team after a contentious tenure marked by holdouts and frustrations. This transaction addressed cap pressures while freeing resources to reinforce other areas, particularly the defensive line that had struggled with production in prior seasons. To strengthen the offensive line, the Bengals signed unrestricted guard Bobbie Williams on March 26, 2004, to a three-year contract worth $5.25 million, with $1 million guaranteed, bringing in a 27-year-old starter from the who had experience protecting quarterbacks like . Williams's addition provided immediate starting-caliber depth at right guard, where incumbent Mike Goff was entering free agency, and helped stabilize a unit tasked with protecting young Carson Palmer. Other notable signings included undrafted free agent punter from on April 28, who competed for the kicking duties, and undrafted free agents like Derrick Crawford from Texas A&M and defensive tackles Mondre Dickerson from and Eric Johnson from Mount St. Joseph shortly after the NFL Draft on April 28, aimed at injecting competition into the defensive line rotation. These moves, combined with the Dillon trade, positioned the Bengals to allocate cap space toward retaining core players and targeting needs in the trenches, setting the stage for a more balanced roster entering .

Personnel

Coaching Staff

The 2004 Cincinnati Bengals coaching staff was led by head coach Marvin Lewis in his second season with the team, following his hiring in January 2003 after a successful tenure as defensive coordinator for the Baltimore Ravens, where he orchestrated a unit that won Super Bowl XXXV and set an NFL record for fewest points allowed in 2000. Lewis emphasized discipline and scheme continuity to build on the 8-8 improvement from 2003, focusing on an aggressive defensive identity rooted in his Ravens experience while fostering a balanced offensive approach to integrate rookie quarterback Carson Palmer. Key coordinators included offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski, who returned for his second year and implemented a versatile scheme blending run-pass balance to support Palmer's development, drawing from his prior roles with the . Defensive coordinator , also in his second season, maintained a pressure-oriented 4-3 scheme that prioritized turnovers and third-down stops to complement Lewis's vision. Special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons, entering his second year, focused on coverage units that ranked in the NFL's top half in key metrics like kickoff returns. The staff featured a mix of continuity and targeted additions for positional expertise, with defensive assistant Chuck Bresnahan joining in May 2004 to bolster scheme implementation and linebacker coaching, ensuring stability in the defensive unit amid the post-2003 rebuild. Other notable position coaches included quarterbacks coach , who mentored Palmer through his transition to starter; wide receivers coach ; running backs coach Jim Anderson; and defensive backs coach .
RoleCoach
Head Coach
Offensive CoordinatorBob Bratkowski
Defensive Coordinator
Special Teams CoordinatorDarrin Simmons
Quarterbacks
Wide Receivers
Running BacksJim Anderson
Tight Ends
Offensive Line / Assistant Head CoachPaul Alexander
Assistant Offensive LineBob Surace
Defensive LineJay Hayes
LinebackersRicky Hunley
Defensive Backs
Assistant Defensive BacksLouie Cioffi
Defensive AssistantChuck Bresnahan
Strength and ConditioningChip Morton
Assistant Strength and ConditioningRay Oliver
This structure supported the Bengals' 8-8 finish, marking their first non-losing season since 1990, by prioritizing player development and tactical adaptability.

Front Office

The ' front office in 2004 was led by owner Mike Brown, who had assumed control of the franchise following the death of his father, legendary coach and founder , in 1991. Brown served as the team's principal owner, president, and de facto general manager, overseeing all major personnel and operational decisions during a period of organizational rebuilding. His leadership emphasized and a commitment to developing talent internally, building on the legacy of the team's founding principles established by in 1968. Supporting Brown in personnel matters was Director of Player Personnel , who had held the position since 1999 and played a key role in roster construction by coordinating scouting efforts and draft preparations. Tobin's approach focused on enhancing the evaluation of college prospects, working closely with his father, former executive , to strengthen the Bengals' scouting of Midwest and regional talent, which contributed to identifying draft picks like cornerback Keiwan Ratliff and safety Madieu Williams in the . The scouting department, though one of the smaller units in the , saw minor expansions in personnel evaluation capabilities, including the promotion of Greg Seamon to a full-time area scout in early 2004 to bolster coverage ahead of the Combine. These front office dynamics were shaped by the Bengals' recent progress from a 2-14 record in 2002 to 8-8 in 2003, prioritizing sustainable roster building amid ongoing franchise challenges. Under Brown's guidance and Tobin's personnel oversight, the organization aimed to integrate defensive reinforcements and offensive skill players to support new Marvin Lewis's system, setting the stage for the season's competitive efforts.

Preseason

Schedule

The 2004 Cincinnati Bengals played their two home preseason games at Paul Brown Stadium in , . The preseason schedule is listed below.
Preseason WeekDateOpponentLocationResult
1August 16at AwayL 6–20
2August 21HomeW 31–3
3August 28at AwayL 10–37
4September 3HomeW 16–13

Results and Key Performances

The concluded their 2004 preseason with a 2-2 record, offering a blend of promising offensive flashes and defensive challenges as the team integrated new talent under head coach . The schedule began with a 20-6 loss to the on August 16 in Tampa, where the Bengals managed only two field goals amid offensive struggles against a stout Buccaneers defense. They followed with a decisive 31-3 victory over the on August 21 at Stadium, dominating on both sides of the ball. The third game ended in a 37-10 defeat to the on August 28 in , exposing vulnerabilities in pass coverage and run defense. The preseason wrapped with a gritty 16-13 win against the on September 3 at home, relying on field goals and a late defensive stand to secure the victory. Key performances highlighted emerging strengths, particularly in the rout of the Patriots, where Carson Palmer completed 12 of 19 passes for 179 yards and three s, including scores to and Kenny Watson, while connecting with Chad Johnson for a 48-yard gain. Rudi Johnson added 76 rushing yards on 16 carries with a , bolstering the ground game. The defense contributed significantly with two sacks from Duane Clemons and an interception, limiting the Patriots to three points. Over the four games, Palmer appeared in limited snaps, finishing 37 of 67 for 530 yards, allowing the staff to assess his command without overexposing the starter. In the close win over the Colts, the Bengals' defense forced turnovers and held Indianapolis to 13 points, while Rudi Johnson scored the lone in the loss to Atlanta. Injuries provided early tests for roster depth, including a training camp setback for offensive lineman Eric Kooistra, a 320-pound tackle who missed all preseason games due to his injury, forcing adjustments along the line. Minor strains affected other linemen during exhibitions, prompting evaluations that solidified the depth chart ahead of the regular season. Following the final cuts on September 5 to reach the 53-man roster limit, the Bengals released several veterans, including running back Brandon Bennett and wide receiver Kevin Walter, to create opportunities for rookies like first-round draft pick Chris Perry, despite his preseason hamstring strain. These moves reflected Lewis's evaluation methods, emphasizing youth and potential to build around core players like Palmer for the upcoming campaign.

Regular Season

Schedule

The 2004 Cincinnati Bengals played all eight of their home games at Paul Brown Stadium in , . Following the 2002 NFL realignment, they competed in the division alongside the , , and . The team had a Week 5 bye and featured one nationally televised game in Week 7 against the on . Most other games were broadcast locally on for AFC matchups or for NFC opponents, with one additional primetime game in Week 2 on . The full regular season schedule is listed below.
WeekDateOpponentLocationTime (ET)TV NetworkResult
1September 12at Away1:00 p.m.L 24–31
2September 19Home8:30 p.m.W 16–13 (OT)
3September 26Home1:00 p.m.L 9–23
4October 3at Away1:00 p.m.L 17–28
5October 11Bye----
6October 17at Away1:00 p.m.L 17–34
7October 25Home9:00 p.m.W 23–10
8October 31at Away1:00 p.m.L 20–27
9November 7Home1:00 p.m.W 26–3
10November 14at Washington RedskinsAway4:05 p.m.W 17–10
11November 21Home1:00 p.m.L 14–19
12November 28Home1:00 p.m.W 58–48
13December 5at Away1:00 p.m.W 27–26
14December 12at Away1:00 p.m.L 28–35
15December 19Home1:00 p.m.L 17–33
16December 26Home1:00 p.m.W 23–22
17January 2, 2005at Away1:00 p.m.W 38–10

Game Summaries

The Cincinnati Bengals opened their 2004 regular season with a 31-24 road loss to the New York Jets in Week 1. Carson Palmer made his NFL starting debut, completing 18 of 27 passes for 248 yards and two touchdowns (to Chad Johnson and Kenny Watson), but an interception and defensive lapses allowed the Jets to pull ahead late with a touchdown drive led by Chad Pennington. In Week 2, the Bengals earned their first victory, defeating the Miami Dolphins 16-13 in overtime at Paul Brown Stadium. The offense struggled, with Palmer completing 21 of 38 passes for 147 yards, but a 50-yard interception return touchdown by Brian Simmons and three field goals by Shayne Graham (including a 26-yard kick in OT) sealed the win after a defensive stand; the victory snapped a nine-game losing streak against Miami dating back to 1977. Week 3 brought a 23-9 home loss to the . The Bengals' offense struggled against Baltimore's stout defense, with Palmer completing 25 of 52 passes for 316 yards and no scores but three interceptions, as turnovers and missed opportunities allowed the to control the game with field goals and a late run by Jamal Lewis. The Bengals fell 28-17 to the in Week 4 on the road. rushed for 123 yards and a in a solid effort, but Palmer was sacked four times, and the defense couldn't stop Pittsburgh's balanced attack led by Ben Roethlisberger's debut start, including a 66-yard pass to . Following their bye in Week 5, the Bengals lost 34-17 to the in Week 6 on the road. Early turnovers, including a Palmer interception returned for a , put in a hole, though Johnson added 57 rushing yards; 's threw for 342 yards and three scores in the blowout. In Week 7, the Bengals bounced back with a 23-10 home win over the . Palmer passed for 198 yards and one (a 50-yard strike to ), while the defense forced two turnovers and limited to 163 yards; added a rushing , and Graham's three field goals provided the margin. Week 8 resulted in a 27-20 road loss to the . The Bengals led 20-17 entering the fourth quarter, but Steve McNair's 25-yard pass to on a fourth-down play turned the game; Palmer threw for 247 yards but no scores and a late interception; added a rushing , but the defeat was sealed. The Bengals dominated the 26-3 at home in Week 9, wearing orange jerseys for the first time. Palmer completed 21 of 32 passes for 212 yards and a to Johnson, who caught eight passes for 102 yards; the defense sacked five times and held Dallas to 188 total yards. In Week 10, Cincinnati secured its first road win since , beating the Washington Redskins 17-10. A late 12-play, 78-yard drive capped by Johnson's 2-yard touchdown run provided the winning score, with Palmer passing for 217 yards; the defense intercepted twice, ending a 13-game . Week 11 saw a narrow 19-14 home loss to the . The game remained close throughout, with Palmer throwing for 165 yards and two touchdowns, but a blocked returned for a touchdown by Ricardo Colclough proved the turning point; Rudi rushed for 62 yards in the tight divisional battle. The Bengals exploded for a 58-48 home victory over the Cleveland Browns in Week 12, setting a franchise record for points in a game and combining for the NFL's second-highest scoring total since the 1970 merger (106 points). Palmer passed for 251 yards and four touchdowns, while Johnson rushed for 202 yards and two scores, including a 54-yard touchdown run; key plays included defensive lapses that allowed Cleveland's 48 points. In Week 13, Cincinnati edged the Baltimore Ravens 27-26 on the road in a thrilling comeback. Trailing 23-10 in the fourth quarter, the Bengals rallied with two touchdowns, including a 1-yard run by Johnson and a 2-point conversion; Palmer threw for 382 yards and three scores, while a late missed field goal by Baltimore preserved the win. Week 14 brought a 35-28 road loss to the New England Patriots, where Palmer suffered a sprained left knee ligament early in the second quarter after a sack by Tedy Bruschi, having thrown for 202 yards and two touchdowns in limited action. Backup Jon Kitna completed 9 of 13 passes for 126 yards, one touchdown, and one interception, but turnovers and Tom Brady's three scores proved costly. With Kitna at , the Bengals lost 33-17 to the at home in Week 15. Kitna completed 16 of 32 passes for 151 yards and a , but the defense allowed Drew to throw for 283 yards and three scores; Johnson added 130 rushing yards and a in the defeat. In Week 16, Cincinnati narrowly defeated the 23-22 at home. Kitna passed for 186 yards and two s to Houshmandzadeh, overcoming one interception; a late Giants was answered by Graham's 42-yard , while the win improved the Bengals to 7-8. The season concluded with a 38-10 road win over the in Week 17. Kitna threw for 160 yards and a , with Rudi Johnson rushing for 99 yards and three touchdowns; the defense sacked five times and forced three turnovers, securing an 8-8 finish and highlighting Johnson's breakout campaign with 1,454 rushing yards after Corey Dillon's preseason trade.

Standings

The finished the 2004 regular season with an 8–8 record, placing third in the division and tenth in the overall AFC standings. This marked the team's second consecutive non-losing season, the first such streak since 1996.

AFC North Standings

TeamWLTPCTDIVCONFPFPA
1510.9386–011–1372251
970.5634–27–5317268
880.5003–36–6374372
4120.2502–43–9276390
The dominated the division with a franchise-record 15 wins, clinching the title and the No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. The secured second place with a superior division record of 4–2 compared to the Bengals' 3–3, despite the teams splitting their head-to-head matchups ( won 23–9 in Week 3, Bengals won 27–26 in Week 13). The also held an edge in conference record (7–5 vs. 6–6), which would have served as a key had their overall records been equal. Neither the nor the Bengals qualified for the , as the AFC wild-card spots went to the 10–6 and ; the Bengals' 8–8 mark placed them behind several teams with stronger records in the conference race. The Browns rounded out the division in last place, continuing their struggles with a league-worst point differential of –114.

Statistics

Offensive Leaders

The 2004 Cincinnati Bengals' offense was led by quarterback , who started 13 games and completed 263 of 432 passes for 2,897 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions, marking his second full season as the starter after being drafted first overall in 2003. Backup quarterback appeared in 4 games, completing 61 of 104 passes for 623 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions, providing relief during Palmer's occasional rests or minor ailments. In the rushing attack, took over as the primary back after Corey Dillon's departure to the in the offseason, leading the team with 361 carries for 1,454 yards and 12 touchdowns over 16 games. Rookie Chris Perry, selected in the first round of the , was severely limited by a injury sustained in , managing just 2 carries for 1 yard in two appearances before missing the rest of the season. The receiving corps was anchored by , who hauled in 95 catches for 1,274 yards and 9 touchdowns, continuing his ascent as one of the league's elite deep threats. Complementing Johnson, broke out as the reliable No. 2 option with 73 receptions for 978 yards and 4 touchdowns, a significant increase from his 309-yard rookie season in and establishing him as a key target in the slot. Overall, the Bengals scored 374 points during the , with their passing game driving much of the production through these leaders.

Defensive Leaders

The 2004 Cincinnati Bengals defense showed modest improvement over the previous season under defensive coordinator , climbing from 24th in the in points allowed in 2003 (384 total, 24.0 per game) to 21st in 2004 (372 total, 23.3 per game). This progress came amid a 3-5 road record, where the unit often struggled to contain opponents, contributing to early-season setbacks before late adjustments helped secure an 8-8 overall finish. The defense ranked 19th in total yards allowed but excelled in generating turnovers, finishing third league-wide with 30 forced (including a seventh-ranked 20 interceptions), which provided crucial support in close contests. Key individual contributors anchored the front seven and secondary. Linebacker Brian Simmons led the team in tackles with 107 combined (76 solo, 31 assisted), followed closely by Madieu Williams with 103 (86 solo, 17 assisted) and linebacker Landon Johnson with 89 (62 solo, 27 assisted). On the defensive line, end Justin Smith paced the Bengals in sacks with 8.0, a figure that ranked 15th in the , while Duane Clemons added 6.5 and John Thornton contributed 3.0. In the secondary, Tory James emerged as the leader with 8, the third-most in the league that year and a career high that highlighted his ball-hawking ability. Deltha O'Neal recorded 4 interceptions, including key returns that aided field position, while Madieu Williams added 3 to bolster the unit's opportunistic play. These efforts underscored a defense that, despite inconsistencies, ranked among the league's better turnover-forcing groups.
CategoryPlayerStat
Tackles (Comb)Brian Simmons (LB)107
Madieu Williams (S)103
Landon Johnson (LB)89
SacksJustin Smith (DE)8.0
Duane Clemons (DE)6.5
John Thornton (DT)3.0
InterceptionsTory James (CB)8
4
Madieu Williams (S)3

Special Teams Leaders

The special teams unit of the 2004 , under the guidance of coordinator Darrin Simmons, showed marked improvement from prior seasons, contributing to better field position through consistent kicking and punting performances. served as the primary kicker, converting 27 of 31 attempts for an 87.1% success rate and all 41 extra point attempts, accounting for 122 total points scored. His longest was 53 yards, providing crucial reliability in close games. Kyle Larson handled punting duties, recording 83 punts for 3,499 yards with a gross average of 42.2 yards per punt and a net average of 35.5 yards, ranking the team mid-pack in net punting efficiency. One of his punts was blocked, but his overall output helped flip field position favorably in several contests. On returns, rookie cornerback Keiwan Ratliff led punt returns with 17 attempts for 207 yards, averaging 12.2 yards per return and a long of 49 yards, though he scored no touchdowns. The unit did not feature Ratliff prominently on kickoffs, with coverage efforts aiding in limiting opponent return opportunities and supporting overall field position advantages.
CategoryPlayerKey Stats
Kicking27/31 FG (87.1%), 41/41 XP, 122 points, long 53 yd
Punting83 punts, 42.2 yd avg, 35.5 net avg
Punt ReturnsKeiwan Ratliff17 ret, 12.2 yd avg, long 49 yd

Awards and Honors

Pro Bowl Selections

The earned four selections for the 2004 season: , offensive tackle Willie Anderson (starter), , and cornerback Tory James (reserves). These selections marked the second consecutive year under head coach that the Bengals had multiple representatives, reflecting the team's rising performance after a 2-14 record in 2002 and an 8-8 finish in 2004. No alternates from the Bengals were named beyond those listed. Pro Bowl selections are determined through a voting where fans account for 50% of the votes, players for 30%, and head coaches for 20%, evaluating performances from the . Johnson's selection highlighted his standout year, leading the AFC with 1,274 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 95 receptions, while rushed for a franchise-record 1,454 yards. This was the first appearance for and Tory James, whereas it marked the second for both and Willie Anderson.
PlayerPositionStatusAppearances Prior to 2004
WRReserve1 (2003)
Willie AndersonOTStarter1 (2003)
RBReserve0
Tory JamesCBReserve0
The nods underscored individual excellence amid the Bengals' offensive surge, though no defensive players beyond James were honored.

All-Pro Recognitions

In the 2004 season, offensive tackle Willie Anderson earned first-team honors from the (AP), a recognition based on votes from a nationwide panel of media members evaluating player performance across key metrics such as pass protection and run blocking. Anderson excelled in safeguarding quarterback , allowing only one sack while facing elite pass rushers, which contributed to the Bengals' improved offensive output of over 4,700 passing yards. Wide receiver received first-team selection from the Pro Football Writers Association (PFWA), another prominent media outlet that assesses players on statistical dominance and impact, including his AFC-high 1,274 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 95 receptions. These honors overlapped with both players' selections, but nods emphasized their elite status among peers. No other Bengals players received All-Pro honors that year. These accolades signified the first All-Pro selections for Bengals players since 1991, when offensive lineman Anthony Muñoz last earned the honor, and highlighted the effectiveness of the offensive line's reconstruction following years of inconsistency.

Milestones and Records

The 2004 Cincinnati Bengals achieved several franchise milestones during a season that marked a continued turnaround under head coach Marvin Lewis. The team scored 58 points in a single game during their 58-48 victory over the Cleveland Browns on November 28, a high-scoring affair that contributed to the Bengals' second consecutive 8-8 season—the first back-to-back non-losing seasons since 1996 and 1990. Individually, Rudi Johnson emerged as a key figure following the trade of to the in the offseason, becoming the first Bengals rusher to surpass 1,000 yards since Dillon's 1,553 in 2003. Johnson rushed for a then-franchise-record 1,454 yards on 336 carries, averaging 4.3 yards per attempt and scoring 12 touchdowns, which earned him his lone selection. Wide receiver continued his ascent by recording his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season with 1,274 yards and nine touchdowns on 95 receptions, solidifying his role as one of the NFL's premier wideouts. Other notable firsts included the Bengals securing their inaugural victory at FedExField with a 17-10 road win against the Washington Redskins on November 14, breaking a historical drought against the franchise in Washington. Quarterback , in his first full season as starter, threw his first career passes—two in total—during a 27-14 win over the on September 12 in Week 2. The Bengals did not set any league-wide records during the season.

Legacy

Historical Significance

The 2004 Cincinnati Bengals season marked a pivotal continuation of the franchise's turnaround under head coach , achieving an 8-8 record for the second straight year and snapping a 12-year drought without a non-losing season, the last being 9–7 in 1990. This progress reflected Lewis's implementation of a disciplined, accountability-driven culture that addressed the Bengals' long-standing issues of instability and underachievement, transforming a team that had endured 12 consecutive losing seasons from 1991 to 2002 into a competitive unit. The shift was evident in renewed organizational focus, including the debut of quarterback as the full-time starter and strategic roster moves like trading running back for draft assets, which prioritized long-term rebuilding over short-term fixes. Within the landscape, the season amplified the intensity of rivalries following the 2002 realignment that grouped the Bengals with the , , and , positioning as an emerging challenger in a division dominated by perennial contenders. The Bengals' third-place finish underscored their growing relevance, particularly through high-profile matchups that heightened regional tensions. A key milestone came at Paul Brown Stadium, where all eight home games sold out for the first time since , drawing a total attendance of 524,248—a then-franchise record—and signaling revitalized fan support amid the team's resurgence. Media coverage amplified the season's narrative, highlighted by the Bengals' return to Monday Night Football after a 12-year absence, culminating in a 23-10 upset victory over the on October 25, which reignited national interest and contributed to consistent sellouts across all home contests. This exposure, combined with intense divisional games like the rivalry clash against the Steelers, boosted fan engagement and attendance, fostering a sense of optimism that laid the groundwork for future success without achieving postseason qualification in 2004.

Player Developments and Impact

The 2004 season marked a foundational year for , who transitioned into the full-time starter role after spending his 2003 rookie year as a backup, completing 60.9% of his passes for 2,897 yards, 18 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions across 13 starts despite dealing with early-season inconsistencies and a late-season left that sidelined him for the final three games. This experience built his resilience and pocket presence, setting the stage for a breakout 2005 campaign where he threw for 3,836 yards and 32 touchdowns, earning his first selection and establishing him as the Bengals' long-term franchise before subsequent injuries, including a severe ACL tear in the 2005 playoffs, tested his recovery but ultimately shaped his narrative as a durable leader. Running back Rudi Johnson emerged as the Bengals' primary ball carrier in 2004 following Corey Dillon's trade, rushing for 1,454 yards and 12 touchdowns on 336 carries, a performance that earned him a nod and solidified his position as the lead back through the 2006 season, during which he amassed over 1,300 rushing yards annually and became a cornerstone of the offense. Johnson's patient, between-the-tackles style in 2004 not only helped the team achieve its second consecutive non-losing record, the first such streak since 1990, but also extended his productive tenure with until a mid-2007 trade to the , after which injuries curtailed his output. Wide receiver continued his ascent to elite status in 2004, recording 95 receptions for 1,274 yards and nine touchdowns, capping a four-year stretch (2003-2006) where he led the AFC in receiving yards each season and earned multiple appearances, representing the peak of his dynamic playmaking during his Bengals tenure. This season's consistency in stretching the field and drawing coverage opened opportunities for teammates like , influencing Johnson's trajectory as Cincinnati's all-time leading receiver with 10,783 yards before his 2011 trade to , after which his production declined amid team changes. Defensive end Justin Smith built on his early promise in 2004 with 7.5 sacks and 42 tackles in 16 starts, showcasing his power and pass-rush technique as a key component of the Bengals' improved front seven that contributed to their 8-8 record. This emergence paved the way for his development into a perennial Pro Bowler after signing with the in 2008, where he earned First-Team honors in 2011 and 2012, amassing 43.5 career sacks with each franchise and retiring as one of the NFL's most reliable edge defenders. Among the 2004 draft class, rookie cornerback Keiwan Ratliff provided immediate depth, appearing in all 16 games with 37 tackles primarily in packages, helping stabilize the secondary during a transitional year. However, first-round Chris Perry's season was derailed by a preseason strain and subsequent sports , limiting him to just three games and 26 rushing yards, which delayed his potential as a versatile back and foreshadowed a career hampered by recurring injuries, leading to his release by the Bengals in 2009 after only 177 total carries.

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