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Chick Ludwig covers the Cincinnati Bengals. He also writes about his other passions: college football, basketball and golf.Home > Blogs > Chick Ludwig At Large > Archives > 2008 > December > 14 > Entry
Bengals go wire to wire for victory
FAST START PLUS
GOAL-LINE STAND
EQUALS VICTORY
===LUDWIG AT LARGE refuses to break his arm patting himself on the back … however, I did predict a Bengals victory. I said 20-17. It ended up 20-13.===
The Bengals finally played a complete game at Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday.
A fast start and long, sustained, fourth-quarter drive on offense.
A goal-line stand in the third quarter and two forced fumbles by the defense.
A clutch field goal on special teams that put the game away.
Add up all the big plays and it equaled a 20-13 Bengals’ victory over Washington in front of 63,966 spectators that all but knocked the 7-7 Redskins out of the playoff race.
“It feels great,” Bengals quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick said. “We’ve got two games left and we’re ready to extend this winning streak. That was one of the first times we’ve played as a team. We fed off each other with the turnovers and the scoring. There was good energy on the sideline today.”
The Bengals bolted to a 17-0 lead, but the Redskins scored 10 points the final 4:44 of the second quarter to make it a one-score game at halftime.
Cincinnati seized the momentum in the third quarter when the defense stoned Redskins fullback Mike Sellers on back-to-back surges at the 1-yard line, denying Washington the game-tying TD. Sellers fumbled on the second plunge as linebacker Corey Mays stole the ball for a touchback.
“We only had inches to get in the end zone and we turned the ball over,” Redskins coach Jim Zorn said. “I thought we would surge in for a score. Obviously, they played us very tough at the goal line. That drive flipped the momentum in the game.”
STARS OF THE GAME
Fitzpatrick passed for 209 yards and touchdown, and rushed for another TD on a 1-yard bootleg. Meanwhile, tailback Cedric Benson accounted for 161 yards from scrimmage. He rushed for 73 yards and had three receptions for 88 yards, including a swing pass that netted 79 — the team’s longest play of the season.
GOAT OF THE GAME
Redskins tailback Clinton Portis was held to 77 yards on 25 carries (3.1) and dropped a key third-down pass at the Bengals’ 13 with 1:51 to go, forcing a field goal.
TURNING POINT
Corey Mays
On third-and-goal at the Bengals’ 1-yard line at 6:01 of the third quarter, Sellers slammed into the line of scrimmage and attempted to break the plane of the goal line by holding the ball over the pile in traffic.
But Mays snatched the ball away and completed the “trifecta” — forced fumble, fumble recovery and touchback.
Bobbie Williams
QUOTE MACHINE
“The defense has been solid all year. If we could’ve given them more help, the win-loss column would be totally different.” — Bengals right guard Bobbie Williams.
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Bengals
Comments
By Brian
December 14, 2008 11:05 PM | Link to this
The “genius” Jim Zorn gets my vote for goat of the game. The Joe Gibbs Redskins of the past few years were boring as heck, but his Gregg Williams’ led defense would have whipped the kitties like a government mule. Portis is banged up and 77 yards when you’re playing hurt isn’t too shaby.By jimbo
December 15, 2008 12:06 AM | Link to this
Wow, lets all get giddy and send Mike Brown a Christmas card.I’m so happy to be 2-11-1, I just can’t control my emotions. yayyyyyyyyyyyyyBy billy bob
December 15, 2008 8:29 AM | Link to this
Two wins Im so excited.As the old saying goes with the Bengals,,,,,,WAIT UNTIL NEXT YEAR>>>>>WOW