Off the field issues prevent the Bengals from returning to the playoffs.
After making the playoffs for the first time in fourteen years, the Bengals were "rewarded" with a cheap-shot to Carson Palmer that tore up his knee as well as their Super Bowl aspirations. Needless to say, with their star QB rehabilitated and the core of the team returning, the Benglas were ready for a season of revenge and redemption. However, a slew of off-the-field issues kept the team's focus away from football and they never regained their 2005 form. Adding insult to injury, the Steelers once again ended the Bengals season. This time, it was on a Week 17, 67-yard touchdown pass in overtime which eliminated the Bengals from the playoffs. Ouch!