In overtime the last minute Bengals pulled one out. A field goal from 31 yards by Shayne Graham on the last play of the game in overtime gave Cincinnati a 23-20 victory on Sunday over the Cleveland Browns who have not won a game yet this season. The field goal was set up on a 15 yard running play on fourth down from Carson Palmer.

Marvin Lewis, head coach for the Bengals, decided not to settle for the tie and gambled on fourth down and 11 from Cleveland’s 41 yard line with 1:04 remaining in overtime. Palmer dropped back like he was going to pass and then put the ball under his arm and raced up the middle to get the first down.

The Bengals ran two more plays to get into field goal position. Graham, who had had a field goal and extra point blocked, was able to drill the ball through the uprights.

All four of the Bengals (3-1) games have come down right to the wire. Last week they defeated the defending Super Bowl championship team, the Pittsburgh Steelers, by the same 23-20 score after Palmer with 14 seconds left in the game threw a four yard touchdown pass.

Cleveland (0-4) has now lost 10 games in a row, including last season. Derek Anderson, Browns quarterback, was able to spark Cleveland during his first start of the year. Anderson had one touchdown throwing and one running.

Graham’s field goal capped the fourth possession for the Bengals in overtime, salvaging the game for the offense of Cincinnati which had stalled for three quarters. They were lucky that they were given the additional fifteen minutes to pull the game out.

Palmer went 23 for 44 on 230 yards and connected on two touchdown passes with Chad Ochocinco. For the game Ochocinco had just three catches.

Just like last week, when the stakes were the highest, Palmer performed his best. On the Bengals’ final drive he was able to complete two third down and ten passes, connecting on a 20 yard pass with Chris Henry up the middle and one with Laveranues Coles. However what will be remembered is his deciding to take off on the run to get the biggest first down of the game.

If the gamble had backfired, Cleveland would have received the ball near midfield. The Browns would have had the opportunity to go for the win, and pundits would have second guessed Lewis for weeks, despite getting Cincinnati off to the team’s best start of the season since 2006.

Anderson, who made his first start since Brady Quinn was benched by coach Eric Mangini, went 26 for 48 for 269 yards and connected on a two yard touchdown pass with Steve Heiden. Anderson was also able to find some instant chemistry with Mohamed Massaquoi, the rookie, who caught eight passes for a total of 148 yards.

There were also bad moments for Anderson. With Cleveland down 14-7 he had a pass intercepted in the end zone. He later atoned for his mistake with a scoring run of one yard.

For three quarters Cincinnati’s offense didn’t do anything. With a loss possibly looming, they suddenly woke up.

After they gained 156 yards during the first quarter, the Bengals had seven possessions in a row where they didn’t get a first down. In the fourth quarter Cincinnati trailed 20-14. Palmer then led the Bengals on a 70 yard drive. With 1:55 left in regulation, Palmer threw a two yard touchdown pass to Ochocinco which tied the game at 20-20.

Cincinnati seemed poised for yet another dramatic win. However, the point after from Graham was low and Shaun Rogers, nose tackle, blocked it. In the first quarter Rogers had deflected a field goal attempt from 23 yards out.

The Browns defense boxed the Bengals offense up for three quarters. However, late fourth quarter Cincinnati started to find passing and running lanes.

Jerome Harrison, running back for the Browns, started for injured Jamal Lewis. Harrison had 121 yards rushing on 29 carries.

Browns kicker Billy Cundiff had two field goals. Joshua Cribbs of the Browns returned the ball for 230 total yards.