Coming into Sunday’s game there was no doubt that with a healthy Peyton Manning the Colts would have been the favorite at Paul Brown Stadium, but with Manning on the shelf and more Colts out for the season the Bengals had the decided upper hand. The Bengals were coming in looking to be 4-2 and in 2 nd place in their division. With the emergence of Andy Dalton as the starting quarterback the front office and fans are seeing Carson Palmer as a distant memory. Dalton has really come into his own for the Bengals and with rookie wide receiver A.J. Green continuing his explosive play the Bengals look like a force to be reckoned with for much of the season. The Colts have really started to find continuity on the offensive side of the ball, as Curtis Painter is making real strides as the quarterback. On the defensive side of the ball, Mathis and Freeney are doing what they have done for many seasons, getting after the quarterback and making big plays. The Colts are winless on the season and came into Sunday looking for that first win of the season. Let’s see how this one went down:

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1st quarter
The Bengals kick off the scoring as Andy Dalton finds Green for an 11-yard touchdown reception putting the Bengals up at the end of the first 7-0

2nd quarter

For the Colts Donald Brown runs it in from 18-yards to put the Colts on the board, the Bengals strike back with a Nugent field goal from 20-yards away and the score at the half Colts 7, Bengals 10.

3rd quarter

The Bengals Cedric Benson gets into the action punching it in from 1-yard out and they aren’t finished as Nugent tacks on another field goal from 43-yards out and the score at the end of three Colts 7, Bengals 20.

4th quarter

The Colts get it going as Vinatieri kicks a 46-yard field goal and Painter puts them right back in it with a 1-yard touchdown toss to Dallas Clark. A mistake cost the Colts the game as they fumble the ball and C. Dunlap returns it 35-yards for the score. The final score of this one Colts 17, Bengals 27

Bengals Key Stats:

Dalton 25 of 32 264 yards 1 touchdown 0 interceptions

Benson 16 rushes 57 yards 1 touchdown

Simpson 6 receptions 101 yards 0 touchdowns

Colts Key Stats:

Painter 23 of 34 188 yards 1 touchdown 1 interception

Carter 14 rushes 45 yards 0 touchdowns

Wayne 5 receptions 58 yards 0 touchdowns

By Sam Adams
ProFootball-fans.com Staff Writer