The Cincinnati Bengals bounced back from trailing by 13 points in the first quarter to lead 31-13 at the break in their NFL clash with the Cleveland Browns.
The Browns' offense started well and were rolling towards the end zone before the stout rearguard action inside the five-yard line from the Bengals forced them into a field goal from Billy Cundiff from 20 yards, which he kicked with ease.
Cleveland were straight back on the attack following an interception by cornerback Joe Haden as he picked off Andy Dalton's pass for AJ Green and ran the ball back to the 20. However, the Bengals were stout again and held them to another three points.
Dalton then committed his second interception of the game and this time Haden was able to run the ball back all the way to the end zone for a 29-yard return to give his side a 13-0 advantage.
It was then the turn of Browns quarterback Jason Campbell to commit a turnover as his pass was tipped into the hands of Bengals linebacker James Harrison.
Dalton got his side back in the game after being placed on the 25 as he threw a strike to tight end Jermaine Gresham, who bounced off tackles to go in for the score.
The Bengals went ahead in the match when Dalton looped a strike to Mohamed Sanu at the back of the end zone as the receiver went above two defensive backs to reel in the ball for the six-yard score.
It got better for Marvin Lewis's side when Spencer Lanning's punt was blocked by Jayson DiManche and Tony Dye picked up the ball and ran into the end zone for a 24-yard touchdown.
To make matters worse for the Browns, they fell further behind when Chris Ogbonnaya fumbled the ball after taking a hit from Vontaze Burfict and the defender gathered it and went into the end zone for a 13-yard touchdown.
The Bengals further extended their lead just before the break when Mike Nugent added a 41-yard field goal.
Simon Sinclair
