Looking back at the Cincinnati Bengals 2012 Season – Week 5
By John Post
Oct 7, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) runs against Miami Dolphins outside linebacker Koa Misi (55) during the second half at Paul Brown Stadium. The Dolphins won 17-13. Mandatory Credit: David Kohl-USA TODAY Sports
The word heading into the Bengals Week 5 matchup with the Miami Dolphins is: Consecutive.Miami, who is 1-3, has lost consecutive games in overtime to both the New York Jets and the Arizona Cardinals. The Bengals, 3-1, on the other hand have three consecutive wins, and are tied with the Ravens for the division lead. In Week 2 against the Browns, they won 34-27, a win in Week 3 over the Redskins, 38-31, and in Week 4 against the Jaguars, 27-10. Heading into this matchup the two teams have split their last four meetings dating back to the 2000 season.
Not to sound like a broken record, but once again the Bengals defense is able to force a punt on the opponent’s first drive of the game; it is the third time in the last four games. On 3rd and 10, Miamiquarterback Ryan Tannehill is sacked by Michael Johnson at the Dolphins 17 yard line and the Dolphins punt the ball to the Bengals 38-yard line. The Bengals first offensive drive gets off to a rough start as Andy Dalton is sacked on the first play, the saving play on the drive is when Miami’s punt returner Reshad Jones muffs the punt and linebacker Vontaze Burfict recovers the ball at the Dolphins 26 yard line. Three plays later Mike Nugent kicks a 42 yard field goal giving the Bengals a 3-0 lead.
The Dolphins get the ball back and are able to get to theCincinnati 11-yard line before the defense comes up with another big play.Miami picks up three first downs on the drive; Tannehill completes a 16 yard pass to Brian Hartline, two plays later he completes a pass to Reggie Bush for 21 yards, and Reggie Bush runs for 6 yards down to the Bengals 17 yard line. After Ryan Tannehill completes a 6 yard pass to theCincinnati 11, Nate Clements forces a fumble which is recovered by the defense and returned to the 16.
The offense is able to go 72 yards in 13 plays and get another Mike Nugent field goal, putting the Bengals up 6-0. Two big plays keep the drive alive; on 3rd and 8 the Dolphins are called for a defensive holding after Andy Dalton throws an incomplete pass; five plays laterDaltoncompletes a 20 yard pass to Jermaine Gresham on 4th and 2, giving them a first down on theMiami15. The drive stalls after that and Nugent kicks the field goal.
Heading into the second quarter the teams exchange punts. After the Bengals punt the ball to the Dolphins, Miami is able to take the ball 63 yards on 9 plays to score a touchdown and take a 7-6 lead. The drive is capped off with a 1 yard Daniel Thomas touchdown run, but Ryan Tannehill completes three big passes; 15 yards, 24 yards, and 13 yards. The two teams both get two more possessions before the end of the half, but they both are unable to get points.Miamileads 7-6 at the half and the Bengals will receive the ball first to start the second half.
Unfortunately for the Bengals they are unable to score any points in the third quarter, but the Dolphins add 10 more points, Reggie Bush rushes for a 13 yard touchdown and Dan Carpenter kicks a 46 yard field goal to give Miamia 17-6 lead. At the end of the third quarter the Bengals start a nine play drive and go 57 yards to make the score 17-13. Andy Dalton goes 6/6 on the drive for 47 yards and a touchdown to A.J. Green.
It is a very uneventful fourth quarter as the teams both punt twice, but the Bengals are able to start a drive with just under two minutes left to try to take the lead and pull out a late win. After a 13 yard play on first down the Bengals are called for offensive holding and then Andy Dalton is intercepted, putting an end to any chances of a comeback win. The Bengals fall to 3-2 and are heading toCleveland to play the 0-5 Browns.
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