As in any new endeavor, this blog faced initial technical difficulties, resulting in the inability to write live postings during the game. This problem should be resolved by next week, but for the present, here is the analysis of the Bengals Week 1 performance:

1st Quarter: The Bengals receive the opening kick and are throwing off the bat, with Carson Palmer going to new WR Terrell Owens on the first two plays from scrimmage out of a three-wide set. After being forced to punt, the Bengals have a defensive breakdown on a pass from Brady resulting in a 45-yard completion to Aaron Hernandez. A touchdown pass to Wes Welker puts the Patriots up 7-0.

Poor special teams on kickoff returns hurts Cincinnati, and the Bengals are forced to punt after a three-and-out. After allowing the Patriots into the Red Zone, the Bengals defense forces them into a field goal.

On the ensuing possession, Cedric Benson fumbles inside his own 30 and New England recovers as the first quarter closes. It would have been hard to conceive a worse start for Cincinnati.

2nd Quarter: Strong defensive (including a huge hit from Jonathan Joseph against Patriots wideout Brandon Tate) and a penalty against New England result in a missed field goal, but uninspired offense by Cincinnati results in another punt. The Bengals are being dominated on both sides of the line, a discouraging prospect for Cinci fans.

Cincinnati continues to fail to pressure Patriots QB Tom Brady, who marches New England down the field, completing a 4-yard touchdown strike to Wes Welker to finish their third scoring drive. The score is now 17-0 with just under nine minutes left in the half.

The Bengals respond with a no-huddle offense that they'd rehearsed in the pre-season. After watching Cincinnati convert a third-and-three, Patriots coach Bill Belichick calls a time-out to stop any momentum they might be gaining, a testament to how well-coached the Pats are.

Following the time-out, Palmer throws an interception to New England linebacker Gary Guyton that is returned 59 yards to a touchdown, making the score 24-0 at the 5:38 mark. At this point in the game the Bengals have 0 net rushing yards.

Cincinnati gets a drive going with the clock running down in the first half and kicker Mike Nugent nails a 54-yard field goal to put his team on the board with just over a minute remaining. The halftime score: 24-3 New England.