Vikings at Bengals haltftime recap and boxscore

Dec 22, 2013; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Marvin Jones (82) catches the ball and is tackled by Minnesota Vikings defensive tackle Letroy Guion (98) in the first quarter of the gameat Paul Brown Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowksi-USA TODAY Sports

The Cincinnati Bengals played like a team fighting for their postseason lives in the first half against the Minnesota Vikings, and they lead 28-7 at halftime on the strength of Andy Dalton’s arm and a smothering defensive effort.

Dalton has thrown for 180 yards and two touchdowns, one to wide receiver A.J. Green and the other to tight end Jermaine Gresham. The other score was a 4-yard TD run by BenJarvus Green-Ellis after Viking quarterback Matt Cassel was strip-sacked by Vinnie Rey with an assist from Reggie Nelson, and defensive end Carlos Dunlap picked up the loose ball and ran it down to the MIN-4 yard-line before he was tackled.

The other score came via a pick-6 by Vinnie Rey, who is having a Defensive Player of the Week performance.