Bengals Win 22-13 Over Texans
Nov 23, 2014; Houston, TX, USA; Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill (32) scores a touchdown in the third quarter against the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium. The Bengals beat the Texans 22-19. Mandatory Credit: Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
Bengals had trouble last year on the road and started out this season in similar fashion against the Patriots in New England. The past two week, the Bengals have silenced their biggest critics and have proven that in the toughest division in the AFC and arguably NFL, they have a chance. The Bengals went into Houston, where they are 0-2 over the past two post season meeting, and showed that they can play with playoff caliber teams.
The Bengals played a complete game for the second week in a row. They led in every category except turnovers, which they drew even in. In their second possession of the game, they marched 94 yards down the field and scored on a pass from Dalton to Sanu and they never let go of the lead. Geno Atkins got the second score of the game taking down Alfred Blue in the end zone for a safety, just after the Texans defense stopped the Bengals at the one yard line. That killed any momentum that stop brought to the Texans team.
The offense looked good and with Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard splitting carries almost evenly, they accounted for 132 yard on the ground. AJ Green led all receivers with 121 yards and even though the Texans defense avoided the big play, the Bengals found their rhythm early including Dalton going nine for ten on his first ten attempts. Dalton went 233 yards and a passing touchdown, while throwing a pick six, which was the only touchdown the Texans managed.
The defense was spectacular. They exposed the Texans running game, who was missing Adrian Foster. Ryan Mallet was held to only 189 yards through the air and had 1 interception. Alfred Blue was held on the ground to 46 yards, including being tackled for the safety in the second quarter. The Bengals defense got to Mallet once by way of Carlos Dunlap, but had three tackles for loss and seven pass deflections. An interception by Rey Maualuga set them up on a short field and Jeremy Hill scored the second touchdown to seal the Bengals victory.
The Bengals overcame one of the best defensive ends in the league by containing him and kept him less effective as he had four tackles and three assists and only one tackle for loss. It is exactly what they needed to do to win. They played quick effective football and the defense we expected to see at the beginning of the year finally showed up. The Bengals will now head to the very dangerous Tampa Bay Buccaneers, whose record does not speak for the talent they shown this season.