Bengals pull away late to defeat Titans 31-23

By John Onan | Sunday, October 16, 2005 | ( 0 )

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The Cincinnati Bengals bounced back from their first loss of the season, but the Tennessee Titans didn't make it easy for them. In what was a tight game most of the way, Quarterback Carson Palmer connected with Chad Johnson on a 15-yard score to put the Bengals up 24-20.

Palmer, was almost flawless, going 27-of-33 passing for 272 yards and two touchdowns. Johnson was the main recipient, catching eight of his throws for 135 yards.

On the ensuing Tennessee Titans drive after the touchdown, Cincinnati cornerback Tory James stripped the ball away from running back Chris Brown after a reception, and returned it down to the Tennessee one yard line. Bengals running back Rudi Johnson punched it into the end zone shortly thereafter, and wrapped up the Cincinnati win. Johnson carried 18 times for the game, gaining 80 yards.

Earlier in the game, James hit Tennessee receiver Tyrone Calico as he attempted to catch a Steve McNair pass, knocking the ball in the air. Odell Thurman snatched it up for the Bengals and took it back 30-yards for a touchdown.
McNair gave another gritty effort, playing with a bad back, completing 36-of-41 for 259 yards, but was intercepted twice against a team that leads the NFL in forcing turnovers.

The Cincinnati Bengals grabbed the AFC North lead with the win, moving to 5-1 on the year. The young Titans dropped to 2-4 with the loss.

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