The Bengals snapped a seven-game winning streak against the Colts in the preseason on Thursday night, falling to Indianapolis by a score of 17-13.
The Bengals first-string offense looked impressive again, even though Andy Dalton only played in a couple of series and neither Cedric Benson nor Bernard Scott played. The first-string defense also played very well, only allowing three points in the first half -- a 23-yard field goal in the first quarter.
The second-string offense got the team it's only touchdown, leading the Bengals on a 13-play drive in the second quarter which was capped off by a one-yard touchdown run from Cedric Peerman.
After a 25-yard field goal from Mike Nugent, the Bengals went into halftime with a 10-3 lead.
They would keep that lead throughout the entire third quarter as neither team could find a way to put points on the board. By this time, both teams had their third-string and lower players on the field so coaches can see who to cut and who to keep on Saturday when teams have to get down to 53 men.
It wasn't Dan LeFevour who led the Bengals to their eighth straight preseason win over the Colts, it was Dan Orlovsky that led the Colts. He completed 10 of 18 passes for 178 yards and a touchdown. The majority of those yards and that touchdown went to Taj Smith, the second year receiver out of Syracuse, who seemed to be open deep every time Orlovsky looked his way.
The first score in the second half came on a one-yard run from Colts rookie Darren Evans, which capped off a nine-play, 95-yard drive.The score was then tied at 10.
Bengals kicker Mike Nugent broke that tie with a 24-yard field goal 7:12 left in the game, giving the Bengals a 13-10 lead.
But, in the end, it was the Colts who were able to find their way into the end zone. Orlovsky found Smith in the end zone with just 1:59 left in the game to finish off a nine-play, 75-yard drive.
The Bengals got the ball back with less than two minutes in the game and were down by four points. LeFevour and the Bengals moved down the field but with 19 seconds left in the game, LeFevour scrambled out of the pocket and targeted Chase Coffman, but the pass was intercepted by Kevin Thomas, sealing the deal.
The Colts ran out the clock and won 17-13.
Now, on to the regular season.