13-7 Bengals early in 4th

Cincinnati just extended its lead to six points -- 13-7 -- on a 50-yard Mike Nugent field goal with 14:53 left in the fourth quarter.

That means if Carolina is going to make a comeback, Jimmy Clausen will need to get the Panthers into the end zone a second time.

Clausen averted another near-disaster on his last possession, when he fumbled his second snap of the game at his own 12. However, Travelle Wharton recovered it for Clausen, allowing the Panthers to at least punt out of danger.

Because of a decent third quarter, Clausen's QB rating has risen from 0.0 at halftime to 29.8 now. He's 6-of-14 for 73 yards as the fourth quarter begins.