Third-quarter notes from Bengals game

-- Carson Palmer threw for three touchdowns and 140 yards in his return to the lineup following reconstructive knee surgery Jan. 10.
-- Most importantly, Palmer took three hits from Packers defenders and weathered them well.
-- T.J. Houshmandzadeh had 96 yards on five receptions in the first half, including a 33-yard touchdown, but he left the game with a bruised heel.
-- In the first half, the Bengals were 6 of 7 converting third downs offensively and held the Packers to 2 of 8 on third-down plays.
-- Defensive tackle John Thornton continued to flash speed and quickness in the preseason. He had three tackles, a forced fumble and a pass broken up in the first half.
-- In 11 preseason quarters, the Bengals have committed just one turnover and have nine takeaways, scoring three defensive touchdowns.
-- Third-down back Kenny Watson didn’t help his chances of making the team, dropping two passes on third down.
-- Packers quarterback Brett Favre, who was intercepted five times by the Bengals during the 2005 regular season, had another rough night. In more than two quarters Monday night, Favre was intercepted once, lost one fumble and sacked three times. His passer rating was a poor 65.8.