Bengals pull away to beat Panthers 20-7

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Carson Palmer was far from sharp and made some head-scratching decisions. It was still good enough for Cincinnati against a struggling Carolina offense that rookie Jimmy Clausen couldn't jump-start.

Palmer shook off two interceptions to throw a game-clinching touchdown pass to Cedric Benson midway through the fourth quarter, and Benson rushed for another TD in the Bengals' 20-7 victory over the Panthers on Sunday to spoil Clausen's first NFL start.

Cincinnati (2-1) snapped a five-game road losing streak despite a mistake-filled performance of turnovers and penalties in drizzly weather that included little explosiveness from the receiving duo of Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens.

But the Panthers (0-3) couldn't take advantage with Clausen throwing for 188 yards and the Panthers committing four more turnovers.

Jonathan Stewart's lost fumble set up Palmer's 7-yard TD pass to Benson — the running back's first career receiving TD — to put the Bengals ahead 20-7.

Benson added a 1-yard TD run in the first quarter and Mike Nugent kicked two more field goals in Cincinnati's second straight victory.

Clausen, given the starting job last week after Matt Moore committed six turnovers in two games, didn't fare much better. He also didn't get much help as Carolina matched its woeful start from last season with a trip to New Orleans up next.

The former Notre Dame star and 48th overall pick in the draft, had a 0.0 passer rating at halftime and didn't complete his second pass until the first minute of the third quarter.

Clausen finished 16 of 33 with an interception by Leon Hall and a lost fumble. But he had numerous passes dropped and the running game failed to bail him out.

The Panthers, who had 6 yards passing and two first downs in the first half, finally showed some spark in the third quarter. Clausen led Carolina on an eight-play, 75-yard drive capped by Stewart's 1-yard TD run to cut the deficit to 10-7.

The Bengals got a 50-yard field goal from Nugent early in the fourth quarter, but the Panthers then seemed to have something going when Clausen finally found Steve Smith for his first catch of the day on the ensuing possession. But Stewart fumbled on the next play, and Cincinnati's Robert Geathers recovered.

It took just three plays for Palmer to get Cincinnati in the end zone to atone for his shaky performance.