Bengals Tecmo Super Bowl Season — Week 13

Coming off their bye week, the Bengals were looking to finish strong down the backstretch of the season. But standing in their way Week 13 were those pesky San Diego Chargers.

The Chargers would elect to receive the ball first but it was the Bengals who had the momentum early as a Philip Rivers pass was picked off after just a couple San Diego plays.

With the nice field position created by the turnover, a 37-yard pass to A.J. Green got the Bengals all the way down to the San Diego 22-yard line.

Immediately following the Green catch, a 22-yard pass to Marvin Jones got the Bengals on the board first with a touchdown. This gave the Bengals an early 7-0 lead.

On the ensuing Charger drive, Rivers was flattened once by Vontaze Burfict, and immediately again by Geno Atkins. These back-to-back sacks forced Rivers and company into a 3rd and very long situation.

 

But a deep bomb to Eddie Royal, followed by a Rivers quarterback keeper, got them from 3rd and long all the way to the end zone. This would tie things up at 7-7.

This turn of events completely took the Bengals out of their game as a Tyler Eifert fumble gave the ball right back to San Diego.

Rivers would quickly find Royal again, but instead of a first down, he took it all the way to pay dirt, giving the Chargers their first lead of the game at 14-7.

The Bengals had no answer the rest of the half as they would lose yet another fumble on their next drive — this one a rare hiccup from wideout A.J. Green.

So the score would remain 14-7 in favor of San Diego at halftime. A quick look at the stats showed that the Bengals run game had been virtually non-existent, and the air attack wasn't much better. The same could pretty much be said for the Chargers but they were able to at least get a couple scores.

During the half, the Cincinnati Bengal Marching Band got the crowd stirred up with their rendition of "Roar" by pop artist Katy Perry.

The Bengals would get the ball first in the second half, looking to come out of the gate strong and tie the game back up. They were obviously trying to get the run game more involved but 4th and 1 was as close as they could get to any success. Mike Nugent would come out on the field and punt it away for a touchback.

This was when the Bengals would really have the wind knocked out of their sails.

Malcom Floyd would make a leaping catch down around the Bengals 40-yard-line.

Then he would dodge the remaining defender and take it all the way in for the 80-yard touchdown score. This gave the Chargers some cushion as they would increase their lead to 21-7.

The offensive woes would continue for Cincinnati as a Manti Te'o sack would close out the 3rd quarter with the Chargers still holding on to a 21-7 lead.

During the break, some Bengals players got into a scuffle with Te'o talking about how his girlfriend was invisible. Unfortunately, Manti showed them that the Cincinnati offensive line was apparently invisible as he found Dalton for another sack.

This put the Bengals in a tough 4th and long situation late in the game. Dalton tried to connect with Jermaine Gresham but the ball was batted away.

However, Cincinnati would find one more gasp of air as Domato Peko recovered a Ryan Matthews fumble, giving the Bengals another shot to trim the gap in the 4th quarter.

And the Bengals would finally take advantage as BenJarvus Green-Ellis scampered into the end zone for the score, cutting the lead to 21-14.

With just over a minute to play, Cincinnati had no choice but to go for the onside kick. It failed and gave San Diego the ball down around the Bengals 20-yard line. Fullback Leron McClain would bulldoze his way through the defense for another score, completely shutting the door on the Bengals' victory hopes.

This would make the final score in Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego 28, Cincinnati 14.

The Bengals tried to get Green-Ellis and the running game more involved in the second half which was a little odd since Cincinnati was trailing for most of the game. But The Law Firm did end up with a decent day on the ground tallying 61 yards and a touchdown. But Dalton never could get the passing game going as he connected on only 27 percent of his passes for 69 yards. Rivers was efficient enough with 149 yards through the air, leading his team to the 14-point victory.

The loss really tightens things up again for the Bengals as they are now clinging to just a one-game lead over Baltimore in the division. With games coming up against the Colts, Steelers, and also the Ravens, this could not have happened at a worse time. But the Bengals will try to turn things around next week as they are back at Paul Brown Stadium hosting Andrew Luck and company.

Thankfulness (Day 7 of 7)

Colossians 1:3 — "We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you."

Colossians 4:2 — "Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving."

Pray: God, connect with me here, as I seek you in your Word. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you.

Read: the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of intriguing words and phrases and read them a second time.

Reflect: on what strikes you as you read. Think through what God is communicating to you at this point in your life.

Respond: to the passage. Speak to God directly about what's on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you've uncovered.

Thankfulness (Day 6 of 7)

Psalms 106:1-3 — "Praise ye the Lord. O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? who can shew forth all his praise? Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times."

Pray: God, connect with me here, as I seek you in your Word. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you.

Read: the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of intriguing words and phrases and read them a second time.

Reflect: on what strikes you as you read. Think through what God is communicating to you at this point in your life.

Respond: to the passage. Speak to God directly about what's on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you've uncovered.

Thankfulness (Day 5 of 7)

Psalms 30:11-12 — "Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever."

Pray: God, connect with me here, as I seek you in your Word. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you.

Read: the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of intriguing words and phrases and read them a second time.

Reflect: on what strikes you as you read. Think through what God is communicating to you at this point in your life.

Respond: to the passage. Speak to God directly about what's on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you've uncovered.

Thankfulness (Day 4 of 7)

Philippians 4:19-20 — "But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Now unto God and our Father be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Pray: God, connect with me here, as I seek you in your Word. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you.

Read: the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of intriguing words and phrases and read them a second time.

Reflect: on what strikes you as you read. Think through what God is communicating to you at this point in your life.

Respond: to the passage. Speak to God directly about what's on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you've uncovered.

Thankfulness (Day 3 of 7)

1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 -- "Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."

Pray: God, connect with me here, as I seek you in your Word. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you.

Read: the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of intriguing words and phrases and read them a second time.

Reflect: on what strikes you as you read. Think through what God is communicating to you at this point in your life.

Respond: to the passage. Speak to God directly about what's on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you've uncovered.

Thankfulness (Day 2 of 7)

Colossians 3:16-17 — "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him."

Pray: God, connect with me here, as I seek you in your Word. Begin with focus and openness to see what God has for you.

Read: the selected section of Scripture slowly. Take note of intriguing words and phrases and read them a second time.

Reflect: on what strikes you as you read. Think through what God is communicating to you at this point in your life.

Respond: to the passage. Speak to God directly about what's on your mind and heart. Look for ways to live out what you've uncovered.

Bengals Tecmo Super Bowl Season — Week 11

Following losses to the Baltimore Ravens in Tecmo Super Bowl, and in real life, the Bengals were looking to turn things around in Week 11 as they welcomed their intrastate rival, Cleveland.

The Bengals won the coin toss and elected to receive the ball first — which wound up being unfortunate for Brandton Tate, aka "Glass Joe." The return specialist again went down to injury and was lost for the entire game.

But Andy Dalton and the offense kept their heads held high as they took the field. And it didn't take long for the red-headed quarterback to find Jermaine Gresham deep for a huge 68-yard gain. This would get the Bengals all the way down to the Cleveland two-yard line.

Dalton sneaked the ball in from that spot for the touchdown and the early 7-0 lead for Cincinnati.

But the Cleveland offense came right back with a score of their own as a trick flea flicker play found Josh Gordon wide open in the end zone for the 34-yard score. This tied things up at 7 apiece.

On the next Bengals drive, it looked as if this game was turning into an air raid battle as a Dalton bomb found Mohamed Sanu deep in Browns territory.

The completion got Cincinnati to the 18-yard line but that's as far as the Cleveland defense would allow them to go. So Mike Nugent came out onto the field for the 35-yard field goal attempt.

It was good, and the Bengals found themselves again with the lead at 10-7.

On the ensuing Cleveland drive, they would make it into Bengals territory before they ran into the brick wall known as Rey Maualuga.

The Browns would have to settle for a field goal, which was drilled by kicker Billy Cundiff.

This evened things up again, 10-10, and that's what the score would remain as the game entered halftime.

In a quick first half, there wasn't a whole lot of offense on the stat sheet. Dalton had 106 yards through the air and was actually leading the team in rushing with only six yards. Since it was the Cleveland Throwback Game, they welcomed back Trent Richardson who mustered 36 yards on the ground.

Anxious for second half action to get underway, Bengal fans and Brown fans alike put together a stadium-wide wave that really had the place buzzing.

The Browns would get the ball first in the second half looking to break the 10-10 tie. But a quick Bengals interception ended their drive quickly.

Cincinnati was unable to take advantage of the turnover, however, punting it away following four straight downs.

The Browns suffered a quick three-and-out of their own punting it right back to the Bengals. But back-to-back sacks of Andy Dalton would end the Bengal drive and the third quarter as well. The game remained in a tie at 10-10.

On the following Browns drive, they turned to their old faithful flea flicker play which found Jordan Cameron in the end zone this time. This would give the Browns a 17-10 lead midway through the fourth quarter.

So Cincinnati would take over with 1:54 left to play needing seven points for the tie.

It was Orson Charles this time who was the benefactor of a deep Dalton pass. He got all the way to the Browns 22-yard line before he was taken down.

Needing 22 more yards for the score, the Bengals called "The Law Firm" who swept around the Browns defense for a touchdown scamper.

This would again tie things up at 17-17 as the game entered the final minute of regulation.

And the Bengals defense held strong that final minute as another Rey Maualuga sack ended the Cleveland drive and the fourth quarter.

Since four quarters weren't enough for the Battle of Ohio, the game headed into overtime with both teams knotted up at 17.

The Bengals would win the coin toss and took possession of the ball first.

Some fine BJGE running got the Bengals to about the Cleveland 38-yard line but that's where the drive stalled out. They would bring out Nugent for the 55-yard field goal attempt.

It had the distance but bounced off the goal post before it could go through. So the Bengals would hand the ball over to Cleveland giving them decent field position to take their stab at winning the game.

But the Bengals defense would be clutch yet again as they forced a fumble and recovered it down around the Cleveland 32-yard line.

In a game of back and forth, the Bengals were finally able to end it as Andy Dalton found Jermaine Gresham in the back of the end zone for the game-winning touchdown.

This would make the final score in overtime the Bengals 23, the Browns 17.

Green-Ellis woke up in the second half following a dismal first half. He ended up with 62 yards and a touchdown on the ground. Neither team put up much yardage through the air other than the few Dalton bombs and the Brown flea flickers.

The win helped to give the Bengals some breathing room in the division, and some much-needed momentum as they head into their bye week next week.