![]() ![]() Seattle, when the Bengals overcame a 17-point fourth-quarter deficit (24-7) to win 27-24 in overtime. The club's most singular game accomplishment came Oct. 2 NFL finish in scoring defense (17.4), the highest in club history. The Bengals' 2015 accomplishments also included a No. But the Steelers came back for a winning FG after recovering a fumble by Bengals HB Jeremy Hill deep in Pittsburgh territory. Backup QB AJ McCarron, who went 2-1 as a starter in the last three regular season games, rallied the Bengals in the playoff game from a 15-0 deficit after three quarters to a 16-15 lead with 1:50 to play. Pittsburgh and missed the remainder of the campaign, including a dramatic 18-16 loss to Pittsburgh in the first round of the playoffs. But Dalton suffered a thumb injury in Game 13 vs. QB Andy Dalton was a huge key to it all, winning the AFC passing title with a Bengals-record 106.3 rating. The 12-4 finish tied Cincinnati records for most wins in a season and best winning percentage in a 16-game season. The team got off to an 8-0 start, setting a franchise record for most consecutive wins within a season and tying the mark for most wins regardless of seasons. ![]() But it was one of the more bittersweet seasons in club history. He had five tackles and got more playing time after LB Rey Maualuga had a calf injury in the first quarter.The Bengals extended their franchise record for consecutive playoff seasons to five and stood as one of only four NFL teams to qualify those five consecutive years. … Bengals middle linebacker Vontaze Burfict played for the first time after missing the first six games while recovering from offseason knee surgery. … Roethlisberger became the fifth active quarterback to throw for 40,000 yards, joining Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Eli Manning. Notes: Dalton’s 23rd career win on the road matched Dan Marino, Roethlisberger and Matt Ryan for most by a quarterback in his first five seasons during the Super Bowl era. He managed to pull off the short TD drive that decided it, making a 23-yard shovel pass to Giovani Bernard while scrambling on a third-down play to set up the score. After Cincinnati got a first-and-goal at the 5 early in the fourth quarter, Antwon Blake intercepted Dalton’s third-down pass in the end zone and returned it 42 yards.ĭalton came into the game leading the NFL in passer rating and fourth-quarter rating. The Bengals wasted several scoring chances in the second half as Pittsburgh’s defense tried to hold on.Ĭameron Heyward blocked Nugent’s 42-yard field goal try late in the third quarter, and the defense picked off Dalton twice in the fourth quarter. ![]() The Steelers managed only one field goal the rest of the way. His 1-yard toss to Antonio Brown capped a 7-minute, 14-second possession - the kind of drive Pittsburgh had trouble pulling off in his absence. Roethlisberger completed four of five passes during an opening 80-yard touchdown drive. And it didn’t take long to remind them of what they’d missed. Roethlisberger ran out for introductions in a Steelers baseball cap with both arms raised as the crowd gave him the loudest ovation. The Bengals ended a three-game losing streak to the Steelers, getting only their second victory in their past six visits to Heinz Field. Coach Mike Tomlin said after the game that Bell was being evaluated. Bell twisted his right knee beneath him as he was tackled in the second quarter and had to be carted off the field. 500, the Steelers lost running back Le’Veon Bell indefinitely to a knee injury. Roethlisberger was 28 of 45 for 262 yards with a touchdown, three interceptions and three sacks. The Steelers drove to the Cincinnati 16-yard line with 4 seconds left, but Roethlisberger’s pass went out of the end zone to finish it. Reggie Nelson’s second interception set up Mike Nugent’s 44-yard field goal with 1:47 to go. “I knew eventually were were going to score a touchdown, and we did,” said Dalton, who was 23 of 38 for 231 yards with two interceptions and three sacks. After being kept out of the end zone all game, Dalton was waiting for one last chance. Williams’ diving sideline interception at the Pittsburgh 45-yard line set up Dalton’s 9-yard touchdown pass to Green, who had 11 catches for 118 yards. After leading most of the game, they fall apart in the closing minutes. The defending AFC North champion Steelers (4-4) hoped that Roethlisberger’s return after missing four games with a sprained knee would kick-start them. “When there’s a special moment in the game and a play has to be made, they made the play.” ![]() “I don’t even know how to explain it,” said Shawn Williams, whose interception set up the winning touchdown. The playoffs are still far away, but this Bengals team is doing things like no other. ![]()
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