The 2003 Cincinnati Bengals season was the franchise's 34th season in the National Football League (NFL), the 36th overall, and the first under head coach Marvin Lewis, who replaced Dick LeBeau, who was fired following the 2002 season which the worst season in Bengals history. The Bengals had the first overall pick in the 2003 NFL draft with which they selected 2002 Heisman Trophy winner Carson Palmer. After a slow start, the Bengals got hot winning at midseason, winning four straight games to stand at 7–5, entering a key Week 14 matchup with the Baltimore Ravens with a chance to win the division. However, in the key showdown for first place the Bengals showed they were not quite ready for primetime as they were beaten 31–13. The Bengals would rebound to win their next game against the San Francisco 49ers, but at 8–6 the Bengals could not get that ninth win, losing their last two games to spoil an effort to earn their first winning season since 1990, finishing at 8–8.[1]
Along with Willie Anderson, Chad Johnson, for the first time in his career, was named to the Pro Bowl at the end of the season.
Offseason
The Bengals lost fullback Lorenzo Neal and linebacker Takeo Spikes in free agency, while signing cornerback Tory James, safety Rogers Beckett, linebacker Kevin Hardy, defensive tackle John Thornton, tight end Reggie Kelly, quarterback Shane Matthews and defensive ends Duane Clemons and Carl Powell.
NFL draft
[2]
Personnel
2003 Cincinnati Bengals staff
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Front office
Head coaches
Offensive coaches
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Defensive coaches
Special teams coaches
Strength and conditioning
- Strength and conditioning – Chip Morton
- Assistant strength and conditioning – Kurtis Shultz
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Roster
Regular season
Schedule
| Week
|
Date
|
Opponent
|
Result
|
Record
|
Venue
|
Attendance
|
| 1
|
September 7
|
Denver Broncos
|
L 10–30
|
0–1
|
Paul Brown Stadium
|
63,820
|
| 2
|
September 14
|
at Oakland Raiders
|
L 20–23
|
0–2
|
Network Associates Coliseum
|
50,135
|
| 3
|
September 21
|
Pittsburgh Steelers
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L 10–17
|
0–3
|
Paul Brown Stadium
|
64,596
|
| 4
|
September 28
|
at Cleveland Browns
|
W 21–14
|
1–3
|
Cleveland Browns Stadium
|
73,428
|
| 5
|
October 5
|
at Buffalo Bills
|
L 16–22 (OT)
|
1–4
|
Ralph Wilson Stadium
|
72,615
|
| 6
|
Bye
|
| 7
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October 19
|
Baltimore Ravens
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W 34–26
|
2–4
|
Paul Brown Stadium
|
53,553
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| 8
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October 26
|
Seattle Seahawks
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W 27–24
|
3–4
|
Paul Brown Stadium
|
52,131
|
| 9
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November 2
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at Arizona Cardinals
|
L 14–17
|
3–5
|
Sun Devil Stadium
|
23,531
|
| 10
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November 9
|
Houston Texans
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W 34–27
|
4–5
|
Paul Brown Stadium
|
50,437
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| 11
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November 16
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Kansas City Chiefs
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W 24–19
|
5–5
|
Paul Brown Stadium
|
64,923
|
| 12
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November 23
|
at San Diego Chargers
|
W 34–27
|
6–5
|
Qualcomm Stadium
|
52,069
|
| 13
|
November 30
|
at Pittsburgh Steelers
|
W 24–20
|
7–5
|
Heinz Field
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58,797
|
| 14
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December 7
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at Baltimore Ravens
|
L 13–31
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7–6
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M&T Bank Stadium
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69,468
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| 15
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December 14
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San Francisco 49ers
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W 41–38
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8–6
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Paul Brown Stadium
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64,666
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| 16
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December 21
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at St. Louis Rams
|
L 10–27
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8–7
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Edward Jones Dome
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66,061
|
| 17
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December 28
|
Cleveland Browns
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L 14–22
|
8–8
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Paul Brown Stadium
|
65,362
|
Note: Intra-divisional opponents are in bold text
Standings
Team leaders
Passing
| Player |
Att |
Comp |
Yds |
TD |
INT |
Rating
|
| Jon Kitna |
324 |
520 |
3591 |
26 |
15 |
87.4
|
Rushing
Receiving
Defensive
Kicking and punting
| Player |
FGA |
FGM |
FG% |
XPA |
XPM |
XP% |
Points
|
| Shayne Graham |
25 |
22 |
88.0% |
40 |
40 |
100.0% |
106
|
Special teams
| Player |
KR |
KRYards |
KRAvg |
KRLong |
KRTD |
PR |
PRYards |
PRAvg |
PRLong |
PRTD
|
| Brandon Bennett |
53 |
1146 |
21.6 |
46 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0
|
| Peter Warrick |
0 |
0 |
0.0 |
0 |
0 |
25 |
273 |
10.9 |
68 |
1
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Awards
Milestones
References
External links
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| Franchise | |
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| Stadiums | |
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| Culture | |
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| Lore | |
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| Rivalries | |
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| Division championships (11) | |
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| Conference championships (3) | |
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| Retired numbers | |
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| Ring of Honor | |
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| Media | |
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| Current league affiliations | |
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| Former league affiliation | |
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