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Despite Geno Atkins' forced fumble, recovered by linebacker Vontaze Burfict during the closing seconds of the first quarter, the Bengals went three and out, capped by a third down sack from Tamba Hali. Including that possession, both teams went three and out on four consecutive drives to kickoff the second quarter. Thrilling.
A.J. GREEN 40-YARD RECEPTION
Not every touchdown was easy for the Bengals. During their first quarter touchdown possession, Cincinnati needed to convert two fourth down possessions to sustain the drive. With great field position at the 10:05 mark in the second quarter, Andy Dalton launches the football down the right sidelines, hitting Green in stride for the 40-yard reception (taking a nasty hit in the process).
The reception, along with an unnecessary roughness on the Chiefs, shifted already optimal field position from the Bengals 43 to the Chiefs eight-yard line.
ANDY DALTON TOUCHDOWN
That being said, the Bengals had third and goal from the Chiefs 11-yard line following a second down quarterback sack that lost four yards. Dalton finds tight end Jermaine Gresham, who drags Chiefs defenders five yards into the endzone. A review reversed the touchdown, evidently showing that Gresham's knee hit the turf with the football inside the one-yard line.
Instead of a chip-shot field goal with 7:54 remaining in the quarter, Marvin Lewis goes for it on fourth down again. With the entire world expecting BenJarvus Green-Ellis to get the football, who is known as a short-yardage back, especially during goal line situations, Dalton fakes the handoff and rolls out on a naked boot, scoring the easy touchdown near the front left pylon.
Bengals take a 14-3 lead.
BENJARVUS GREEN-ELLIS TOUCHDOWN
Following Jamaal Charles' 16-yard sprint with 7:45 remaining, Matt Cassel throws consecutive incomplete passes and finalizes Kansas City's possession with a no-gain check down to Charles on third and ten. Cincinnati resumes on offense at their own 21-yard line. Jermaine Gresham converted a third and seven at Cincinnati's 24-yard line and BenJarvus Green-Ellis followed that up with 21-yard sprint up the middle, turning the field and placing Cincinnati's offense at Kansas City's 40-yard line.
Eventually the 11-play touchdown drive ended at the Chiefs one-yard line on first and goal for the Bengals. This time Green-Ellis took the handoff and powered into the endzone for the touchdown, giving the Bengals a 21-6 lead with :57 remaining in the first half.