Mark Curnutte

Well, the Bengals' 31-3 victory against New England on Saturday night followed the winning pattern established in coach Marvin Lewis' first season.

The Bengals committed no turnovers. They held a 4:30 edge in time of possession. The offense balanced the pass and run and was perfect in four trips inside the New England 20-yard line. The starting defense limited the Patriots to 2-for-6 on third down and forced four punts in the first half.

The Bengals were plus-3 in turnover differential Saturday night. At Tampa Bay five nights earlier, they were minus-2.

Carson Palmer was 12-for-19 passing Saturday night. • Photos of Saturday's game (Enquirer photo/STEPHEN M. HERPPICH)

"That's something you've got to have," Lewis said of the turnover advantage. "Last week, we had the ball in our hands and didn't catch it. Our offense did a great job of not giving them any."

The time-of-possession edge was even greater in the first quarter, when the Bengals had the ball for 11:39.

The Bengals had 101 rushing yards in the first half alone behind an improved offensive line.

"Our plan after last season was to be able to run the ball better this season," Lewis said. "Those guys (the offensive line) continue to play well."

Left guard Eric Steinbach, who is regaining full strength in his left elbow following surgery in July, should be back to play in the third preseason game Saturday at Atlanta.

Larry Moore has started in his place.

"Larry has been outstanding," Lewis said.

The Bengals also worked in reserves Thatcher Szalay and Victor Leyva with the starting line against the Patriots.

Besides rushing for 155 yards, the Bengals threw for 230. And with both elements working offensively, Palmer led the first team into the red zone four times. All four times they scored touchdowns.

But perhaps the best sign for the Bengals was the performance of the defense, both the starters and reserves.

The Bengals collected four sacks, forced three turnovers and forced New England into three punts and an interception in its first five possessions.

The defensive line also keyed a goal-line stand in the second quarter, after the Patriots had first-and-goal on the 3. Twice the defense stopped Corey Dillon before New England was called for a false start. An incomplete pass ended the threat and forced the Patriots to kick a field goal.

End Duane Clemons had two sacks, and linebacker Frank Chamberlin and end Elton Patterson one each.

"We played well against a very good team," Clemons said. "But they are going to get better. We have to play them again in (December)."

Yes, it was a preseason game. But the Patriots had won 16 games in a row - 12 in the regular season, three in the postseason and their preseason opener against the Eagles.

Two rookie defenders played significant roles. Madieu Williams started at cornerback and finished with two tackles and a pass break-up on defense and two special teams tackles.

Linebacker Caleb Miller had eight tackles, one interception (he dropped one on the previous play), two passes broken up and a forced fumble.

Miller is expected to be a top reserve on defense.

"Coach is going to have me catching balls from the machine after dropping those balls," Miller said. "The first team didn't allow a single thing to go right for them. As a member of the second team, we're not going to let the first squad down."

Another rookie, running back Chris Perry, rushed seven times for 20 yards and had two receptions for 24 yards. His first reception, 22 yards, ended with Perry being called for an unsportsmanlike-conduct penalty. He dropped the ball on the tackler.

"He's learning, but he's worth the education," Lewis said of Perry.

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E-mail mcurnutte@enquirer.com

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