Bengals Hoping a New Era Has Begun

Corey Dillon wasn’t even in the stadium Sunday as Jon Kitna’s 53-yard touchdown pass to Chad Johnson and two tipped interceptions gave Cincinnati a 27-24 victory over the Seattle Seahawks.

With their first win over a top-notch team, the Bengals (3-4) proved they’re no longer dreadful and no longer dependent upon one moody running back.

“We believed we were going to win this game,” offensive tackle Willie Anderson said. “This is a new team.”

Cincinnati has won consecutive games for the first time since 2001 without much from Dillon, who was the team’s focus under previous coaching staffs.

Dillon put the focus on himself last week by announcing that he felt unappreciated and wanted out. He got into a traffic accident on his way to the stadium Sunday and was inactive even though he wasn’t injured.

Fans chanted “Rudi! Rudi!” as third-year back Rudi Johnson ran for 101 yards and a touchdown, the first Bengal running back other than Dillon to reach the 100-yard mark since Ki-Jana Carter in 1997.

Matt Hasselbeck completed 26 of 43 passes for 347 yards, but the Seahawks (5-2) self-destructed with three interceptions, one costly fumble and a blocked 49-yard field-goal attempt by Josh Brown that set up the Bengals’ go-ahead touchdown.