CINCINNATI (AP) The flaws were obvious but the ending was different.
The Bengals finally won a game in Denver
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It’ll take a statistically improbable series of events – a closing flourish by the Bengals, a closing implosion by numerous other teams – but at least
there’s a chance.
Article continues below ... The overriding question: Can the Bengals (4-6) fix the myriad problems that have dragged them down all season?
The Broncos’ struggles helped them win despite another very flawed performance.
”I don’t want it to sound like, `Hey, this was great,”’ offensive coordinator Bill Lazor said Monday. ”It wasn’t great. No one walked out saying it was great,
other than the fact we won.
”But I think sometimes you get into those ruts in a season where you feel like if we could just get a win right now
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Andy Dalton got more time to throw and ended up with three touchdown passes, the last to A.J. Green for the decisive points in the 20-17 victory . But the
running game was as bad as ever – 49 total yards – and the defense again had
trouble getting off the field.
The Broncos (3-7) ran 26 more plays and had the ball for 10 minutes more than the Bengals. Denver also vastly outgained Cincinnati, 341-190, but
self-destructed along the way.
In response, the Broncos fired offensive coordinator Mike McCoy on Monday and elevated quarterbacks coach Bill Musgrave.
The Bengals’ first win in Denver since 1975
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league went to the current playoff format in 1990. The only teams to reach the
postseason after starting 3-6 are the 1994 Patriots, the 1995 Lions, the 1996
Jaguars and the 2012 Redskins.
”Everything is still out in front of us,” Dalton said . ”We just need to keep winning.”
The Bengals haven’t won more than two games in a row. One of the most glaring problems has been the offensive line’s inability to protect Dalton or open holes
for running backs. Dalton hasn’t been sacked as often lately – only twice in
Denver – but the running game remains the biggest problem, ranking last in the
NFL and worst in franchise history .
They’re on pace to rush for 1
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yards.
”We’re failing to get the job done,” coach Marvin Lewis said Monday.
NO EJECTIONS
The Bengals ended their streak of two straight games with a star ejected before halftime. Green was tossed in Jacksonville, and linebacker Vontaze
Burfict was thrown out in Tennessee. In Denver, Green led with four catches for
50 yards. Burfict had a team-high 12 tackles and a sack, along with forcing a
fumble.
”You have a better shot at winning when your best players are on the field
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HOME AGAIN
The Bengals host winless Cleveland (0-10) on Sunday in the first of three straight home games. Pittsburgh (8-2) then visits for a Monday night game,
followed by a visit from Chicago (3-7). Cincinnati is 2-2 at Paul Brown Stadium
this season and 6-5 over the past two seasons. The Browns have dropped six
straight to the Bengals, including 31-7 on Oct. 1.
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