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Cincinnati's opening possession started from own 21-yard line with 8:51 remaining -- after the Titans possession ended in a missed 40-yard field goal. The Bengals come out in jumbo formation... adding Marshall Newhouse. Bengals offensive coordinator Hue Jackson called a pass; only because that's what Hue does.
We were left wondering if A.J. Green would contribute in Sunday's game, after he left the game last week with a toe/foot injury. Dalton found his superstar receiver on Cincinnati's first play of the game, when Green made an athletic grab for 15 yards. Giovani Bernard picked up another 12 yards on two runs, setting up at the Titans 43-yard line.
The Bengals kept marching, adding another 11-yard reception to Green, reaching the Titans 32-yard line. A defensive pass interference pushed Cincinnati into the red zone -- where the Bengals have come across their biggest issues this year. A two-yard run and five-yard reception by Jermaine Gresham led to a third-and-three from the Titans 11-yard with 4:56 remaining in the first. Dalton under-threw Mohamed Sanu and Mike Nugent converted a 29-yard field goal to give Cincinnati a 3-0 lead.
Green posted 26 yards on two receptions, while also on the winning side of a defensive pass interference.