SportsDirect Inc. staff
Sep 23, 2012
Bengals 38, Redskins 31: Andy Dalton threw a pair of touchdown passes in the fourth quarter and rookie receiver Mohamed Sanu tossed a 73-yard scoring strike to A.J. Green on the game's first play from scrimmage as visiting Cincinnati spoiled Robert Griffin III's home debut.
Green made nine catches for 183 yards and Dalton completed 19 of 27 passes for 328 yards and three touchdowns for the Bengals, who have won three straight meetings with the Redskins and are 5-4 in the all-time series.
A third-round pick out of Rutgers this year, Sanu made his first career NFL play a memorable one as he hit Green deep over the middle just 17 seconds into the game for an early lead. Washington forged a tie minutes later when Rob Jackson intercepted Dalton in the end zone, but Cincinnati's quarterback connected with Armon Binns for a 48-yard touchdown with 3:28 left in the first for a 14-7 advantage.
Washington (1-2) rallied from a 24-7 deficit to tie it as Griffin hit Santana Moss for a 3-yard score late in the third. But Dalton tossed scoring passes of 6 yards to Jermaine Gresham early in the fourth and 59 yards to Andrew Hawkins with just over seven minutes remaining to give the Bengals (2-1) a 14-point lead.
Griffin was 21 of 34 for 221 yards and ran for 85 yards and a late score but was sacked six times for the Redskins, who have allowed at least 31 points in each of their three games this season.
GAME NOTEBOOK: Washington was without WR Pierre Garcon due to a sore right foot, while Cincinnati CB Leon Hall was inactive with an injured calf. ... Cincinnati RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis committed his first career fumble in the third quarter on his 549th carry. It was recovered by Redskins CB Josh Wilson, who was back in action after leaving last week's loss with a concussion. ... Griffin and teammate RB Alfred Morris, who had a 7-yard touchdown run, are tied for first among rookies with three rushing scores apiece.