DaytonDailyNews.com

CINCINNATI — On a cloudy, windy, 49-degree day at Paul Brown Stadium, quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick and tailback Cedric Benson authored the most beautiful play in the Bengals' 20-13 wire-to-wire victory over the Washington Redskins.

Benson caught a right-side screen pass at the Bengals' 8-yard line, snaked through traffic and dashed 79 yards to the Redskins' 13, setting up Fitzpatrick's 12-yard TD pass to Chris Henry for a 14-0 Bengals' lead at 3:10 of the first quarter.

"That's how you draw it up on paper, just the way it looked out there," Benson said. "Everybody executed and made it happen. Chris Henry came from the other end of the field to make a block. Guys wanted it today and it was just beautiful."

Fitzpatrick felt like a kid opening a present on Christmas morning as he watched the play develop.

"We definitely felt a lift, and that's something we have been lacking all year long," Fitzpatrick said. "It's funny that it comes on a play like that, one of the most simple plays in our offense. It was just a great call at that time. It was set up perfectly, and Cedric just took off down the sideline."

Why did the screen play work so well?

"It was just one of those things that was drawn up, and the blockers got in front of Cedric, and it was just good timing," Fitzpatrick added. "It was set up perfectly, and then Cedric made the most of it."

With backup tailbacks Chris Perry (groin) and Kenny Watson (hamstring) sidelined with injuries, Benson responded with 161 all-purpose yards — 73 rushing and 88 receiving.

"I look forward to opportunities like that," Benson said. "You always want to be in there when all odds are against you. When the going gets tough, the tough get going.

"It was a big relief just to get the running game going and executing some longer runs. I can't say enough about the guys up front. They came ready to play and contributed largely to the victory."

Benson called the victory a sign of things to come.

"We don't have any playoff hopes," he said, "so you're working to propel us into next season. We've shown so many good signs at times. It's kind of a sneak peek at what we can be."