The NFL’s most efficient passer made an uncharacteristically sloppy mistake, forcing a third-down throw for only his second interception of the season. That set up Carson Palmer’s 1-yard touchdown pass to T.J. Houshmandzadeh.

That’s the only one the Bengals would get.

Late in the third quarter, the crowd of 66,113 — the largest ever to seen a Bengals game in Cincinnati — started filing out, sensing the futility. The Bengals fell into last place in the AFC North heading into their bye week.

And, they didn’t go there gracefully.

Palmer had words with Chad Johnson when the Pro Bowl receiver ran a different route than he expected, resulting in Asante Samuel’s interception near the goal line late in the first half. They had more words on the sideline, and Johnson was still jawing at the Pro Bowl MVP quarterback as they left the field at halftime.

“I made a mistake,” said Palmer, who was 21-of-35 for 234 yards with two interceptions. “I got on Chad, but I made a mistake. I lost my cool. I threw a ball I shouldn’t have thrown.”

It got worse.

The Bengals stopped a third-down run, but were penalized for having 12 men on the field. The penalty set up a fourth-quarter field goal that extended an amazing streak of consistency: New England has scored in every quarter this season and its last 36 overall.

Notes: Moss has seven touchdown catches, most in the NFL. It’s the most by a Patriots receiver since David Patten had seven in 2004. ... Moss is the first Patriot to catch a TD pass in four straight games since Daniel Graham did it in five consecutive games over the 2003-04 seasons.

NFL game stories Quick look at Week 4 games STEELERS 23, RAVENS 20, OT: Baltimore loses first game of season REDSKINS 26, COWBOYS 24: Dallas can't contain Portis in 1st loss BEARS 24, EAGLES 20: Goal-line stand boosts Chicago JETS 56, CARDINALS 35: Favre throws career-high 6 TDs BUCS 30, PACKERS 21: Ryan's 3 FGs lift Tampa CHARGERS 28, RAIDERS 18: San Diego tops rival 10th straight time BILLS 31, RAMS 14: Buffalo 4-0 for first time since 1992 CHIEFS 33, BRONCOS 19: Johnson rushes for 198 yards for K.C. BROWNS 20, BENGALS 12: Anderson throws TD TITANS 30, VIKINGS 17: Tennessee 4-0 for first time ever PANTHERS 24, FALCONS 9: Smith honors Lucas after TD JAGUARS 30, TEXANS 27, OT: Scobey kicks game winner SAINTS 31, 49ERS 17: McAlister scores first TD of year

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