DaytonDailyNews.com

INDIANAPOLIS — The play developed so beautifully, but ended so ugly for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick fed a pass to fullback Daniel Coats, who was wide open in the end zone. But Coats dropped the ball.

And it was costly, too. Instead of a tie game in the second quarter, the Bengals were forced to kick a field goal and they never recovered — physically, mentally or emotionally — in a 35-3 loss to the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium on Sunday, Dec. 7.

"Ryan did everything he was supposed to do," Coats said. "It's just that I've got to catch it. I don't know what to say. I dropped it. I should have made the play. The team depended on me and I let them down. I've just got to catch the next one."

Facing third-and-goal at the Colts' 2 and trailing 7-0, the Bengals lined up in a run formation with defensive tackle Domata Peko reporting as an eligible receiver. Fitzpatrick faked a hand-off to tailback Cedric Benson and Coats broke to the right side — wide open.

"It is a neat play because it's unexpected and I was ready," Coats said. "I was open. Everything worked right except for the part that was most important. I did everything else right except catch the ball. I should've caught the ball.

"It was a good matchup. Ryan had pressure in his face and still made a good throw. I've just got to come up with it."

That drop ruined an 8-play, 78-yard march that chewed up 4:16 on the clock. Shayne Graham's 19-yard field goal didn't help much.

"It's an opportunity, obviously, for a touchdown right there," coach Marvin Lewis said. "You've got to make plays. That's what this is about. Players are paid to make plays and the coaches put them in good position. You've got to make the conversions."