The Bengals were at home for a big one against the Indianapolis Colts. After last week’s win in Jacksonville, hope seems to have been restored, and the playoff push continues on. This one was big, as the Colts entered the week just one game ahead of the Bengals, and sitting in one of the Wildcard spots that they are vying for. For a regular season game, it was getting close to having that playoff feel to it.
The Colts punted on their first two drives, while the Bengals did so on their opening possession. But on the second, the Bengals were able to open the scoring. The drive started on their own 8 yard line after the Colts punted. Right off the bat, Browning did well to get a pass off with a rusher in his face. It went to Boyd for 17 yards. A 7 yard run by Mixon and then a 14 yard catch by Ja’Marr Chase then set Cincinnati up near midfield. On the 4th play of the drive, Browning found Chase Brown after setting up the screen. Brown did the rest, weaving his way down the field and showing off his high end speed. He took it all the way for a 54 yard TD. 7-0 Bengals.
Indianapolis responded with a string of chunk plays. Minshew found Pittman for 13, Mallory for 11, and then Moss ran for 12 yards. He then completed a couple more passes to Pierce and Pittman, further advancing the ball into Cincinnati territory. However, the drive stalled out and they attempted a field goal, which ended up hitting the post.
On their next drive, the Bengals strung together a few short plays to pick up the 1st down. Then, Browning and Mixon combined for a 45 yard gain. The drive eventually stalled, and McPherson kicked a field goal. However, a leverage penalty on the Colts kept the drive alive. A handful of plays later, Joe Mixon punched it in from a yard out. 14-0 Bengals.
Down two scores, the Colts came storming back. A reckless, and just plain stupid, roughing the passer penalty by Hendrickson extended their drive after a 3rd down stop had been made. Well, the Colts proceeded to go on a long methodical drive and score a TD. It was Minshew to Alie-Cox from 2 yards out. Then, Browning’s pass to Hudson was a bit off, and it went off of his hand and right into the arms of Harrison, who essentially walked into the interception. He took it all the way for the pick 6. Though the extra point of the first TD was missed, the Colts did get the 2 point conversion on their second TD. 14-14 was the score at the half.
Out of the half, the Bengals strung together several chunk plays. A 26 yard catch by Higgins, 14 yard catch by Chase, and an 18 yard run by Mixon set the Bengals up deep in Indy territory. Shortly after, Browning found Tanner Hudson from 11 yards out for the TD. 21-14 Bengals.
After forcing a punt, the Bengals offence was able to restore the 14 point lead. Browning continued to let it fly, finding Higgins deep for 46 yards. A 10 yard pass to Hudson moved the chains on 3rd & 9, and they eventually worked their way down to the 1. From there, Browning ran the QB sneak and was able to get in. 28-14 Bengals.
Later on, the Bengals punted, but the returner muffed it, leading to a quick Bengals recovery. It was DJ Ivey, who also had a nice pass breakup earlier in the game, who pounced on the ball. Browning had left the game after the previous drive due to muscle cramping on his right hand, and AJ McCarron entered. On 3rd down, McCarron found Higgins in the endzone, but the Bengals receiver was questionably called for pass interference, nullifying the TD. The Bengals would settle for a field goal. 31-14 Bengals.
Cincinnati, now with Browning back in the game, would add one more field goal, while the defence would go on to shut the Colts out in the 2nd half.
The Bengals improve to 7-6, and remain right in the thick of the Wildcard race. They will remain at home next week, where they will take on the Minnesota Vikings on Saturday.
Modified Homescreen Image Via: All-Pro Reels (CC)