After the Bengals took advantage of an odd drive where they converted two fourth down conversions, one on a fake punt, their defense stepped up once again. Cincinnati's defense failed to get off of the field quickly because of a Terence Newman holding penalty, but they bounced back quickly by recovering a Peyton Hillis fumble. Geno Atkins, who has had a great quarter-plus, forced the fumble and Vontaze Burfict recovered it.

Unfortunately, the Bengals squandered great field position and an opportunity to take a stranglehold on the game. After two BenJarvus Green-Ellis carries that netted eight yards, quarterback Andy Dalton was sacked on third down. That sack forced a 50-yard field goal attempt by Mike Nugent and he pushed it wide left.

Bengals lead 7-3.