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Palmer, Johnson lead Bengals over lowly Dolphins

Dec 30, 2007 - 11:14 PM By Michael Snyder PA SportsTicker Contributing Writer

MIAMI (TICKER) -- It took all season, but the Cincinnati Bengals have finally won back-to-back games.

Carson Palmer tossed three touchdowns - two to Miami native Chad Johnson - as the Bengals defeated the Miami Dolphins, 38-25, on Sunday afternoon.

The game was almost secondary to the off-the-field drama as Bill Parcells, who was introduced as Miami's executive vice president of football operations Thursday, viewed the game from a private box along with former Green Bay Packers general manager Ron Wolf amid published reports that Dolphins general manager Randy Mueller will be fired early this week.

There also is widespread speculation that Miami (1-15) will not retain first-year coach Cam Cameron.

"I'm not aware of that (the rumors about Mueller), No. 1, and those things will start being addressed I'm sure starting tomorrow," Cameron said. "(Bill and I) talked and we will meet sometime this week."

Johnson, who had over 100 family and friends in attendance as he played in his hometown for the first time as a pro, scored his seventh and eighth touchdowns of the season.

"Of course he (Johnson) was excited to play," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "Coming to your hometown to play, it's a big thing. He's been thinking about this game for a long time. Unfortunately, it didn't have the significance to our season that we hoped it would have."

Johnson hauled in a 70-yard TD catch, stepping out of Dolphins defensive back Jason Allen's tackle, for his second score of the game to give the Bengals (7-9) a 14-10 lead with 6:27 left in the first half. It appeared as if Johnson's left foot went out of bounds at the 4-yard-line, but Cameron didn't throw a challenge flag.

He finished with four receptions for 131 yards, closing out the campaign with a franchise-record 1,440 receiving yards.

Johnson also caught a 2-yard touchdown pass from Palmer in the first quarter to give Cincinnati a 7-3 edge. On the play, Johnson's helmet flew off as he was sandwiched between a pair of defenders at the back of the end zone. The drive was aided by two 15-yard penalties on Miami's defense.

Palmer's 4-yard scoring pass to Antonio Chapman with four seconds left in the half put Cincinnati up, 21-10, at the break.

Palmer completed 23-of-32 passes for 316 yards with an interception and Kenny Watson rushed for 69 yards and a touchdown for the Bengals, who were coming off last week's win over the rival Cleveland Browns.

"We did come out and play well," Palmer said. "We made enough big plays to kind of widen the gap enough for them to realize their season was over and they weren't playing as hard. You let down in the 16th game when you've got one win."

T.J. Houshmandzadeh had nine catches for 90 yards and finished the season tied with New England's Wes Welker for the league lead in receptions with 112. Houshmandzadeh had a chance to add to his total late in the fourth quarter, but dropped a screen pass.

"He (Palmer) gave me the opportunity," Houshmandzadeh said. "I've probably caught that ball all year with one hand, but I dropped it today. After last night, I didn't really expect to come close with the way he (Welker) played, and it would probably be only fitting for him to lead the league anyway the way (the Patriots) have won on offense."

Miami quarterback Cleo Lemon, who had a solid start, injured his hip early in the third quarter and was replaced by rookie John Beck.

Beck mishandled his first snap and Bengals defensive back Chinedum Ndukwe picked up the ball and returned it 54 yards for a score to make it 28-10. Beck later scored his first NFL TD on a 2-yard run and connected on a 22-yard TD strike to Derek Hagan in the fourth quarter.

Lemon, who likely was auditioning for a job like many of his teammates, played well early. His 5-yard pass to rookie Ted Ginn Jr. just inside the right pylon put Miami ahead, 10-7, in the second quarter.

Beck said having Parcells at the game didn't affect his play.

"We were just trying to focus on the game," Beck said. "In my case, I wasn't the guy who came out and started. ... I just tried to make plays and not miss a beat."

Dolphins players realize they are now headed into an offseason of complete uncertainty.

"Change is a constant in the NFL," Miami kicker Jay Feely said. "When you bring somebody like (Parcells) in you bring him in to make changes. I think everyone knows that. I don't think by bringing him in immediately we're a contender next year."

Miami became just the seventh team since 1983 to finish a season with a 1-15 record.

"You can't get used to 1-15," Dolphins linebacker Joey Porter said. "If you're comfortable with going 1-15, I think you've got to look for a different occupation."

"Bizarre may be a good description," Cameron said of the season. "You're disappointed, we're disappointed because of all the effort that goes into this thing, but in no way am I discouraged. I can tell you that."