While Marvin Lewis was deciphering a stack of paper blown across the field from the Browns sideline, Brandon Tate returned a punt for 32 yards after the Browns were unable to convert a 3rd and 15 situation. Cleveland committed a penalty for an illegal man downfield, resulting in 5 yards which gave the Bengals excellent field position on the Browns 27-yard line. As if the return wasn’t enough of a momentum booster, Green-Ellis ran the ball 20 yards up the middle of the field.
The Bengals’ recent struggles on 3rd down weren’t an issue, as the Bengals didn’t allow a 3rd down situation on their drive. Andy Dalton, facing 2nd and 4, threw a beautiful touchdown pass over D’Qwell Jackson to A.J. Green, giving the Bengals a 7 point lead over the Browns.
Green’s touchdown marks the fifth straight game that the second year wide receiver has found the endzone.