Colts Fall To The Bengals, 24-23

CINCINNATI, Ohio — The Indianapolis Colts go back on the road today in a break from AFC South Division play. The Colts (2-5) today take on the Cincinnati Bengals (2-4) at Paul Brown Stadium, with hopes of earning their first road victory of the 2017 season. So, without further ado, here are some major plays as they happened each quarter in the game itself:FIRST QUARTER 9:40: A week after allowing 10 sacks in their 27-0 loss to the Jacksonville Jaguars, the Colts see quarterback Jacoby Brissett brought down for two sacks on their opening drive Sunday against the Bengals. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the Cincinnati’s Jordan Willis blows by Matthias Farley and blocks Rigoberto Sanchez’s first punt of the afternoon, giving the Bengals the ball at the Indianapolis 49 for their first possession of the ballgame. Not an ideal first five minutes for the Colts here on the road.**5:41:* The damage is minimal off the blocked punt for the Bengals, who get a 29-yard field goal from Randy Bullock to open today’s scoring with a 3-0 lead. Nice little stand for the Indy defense, which held firm once Cincinnati got to the Colts’ 10-yard line.1:36: After a second straight solid defensive stand by the Indy defense — credit Barkevious Mingo, starting in place of the injured John Simon at outside linebacker, with a very disruptive third-down rush to force a Andy Dalton incompletion (and near fumble) — the Colts’ special teams bring a splash play, as Henry Anderson blocks Bullock’s 34-yard field goal attempt. Anderson, who had a nice sack/forced fumble last week against Jacksonville, really seems to be coming on strong the past few weeks.0:00: At the end of the first quarter, the Bengals lead the Colts, 3-0. SECOND QUARTER14:51: The Colts benefit from a second-straight splash play on special teams. This time, after the Colts are forced to punt for a third time on the afternoon, Bengals returner Alex Erickson muffs the return at his own 24-yard line, and Mingo is right there to scoop it up for the Colts’ coverage team. The Indy offense hopes to take advantage from here, unlike the Cincinnati offense, which was only able to muster a field goal after blocking the opening punt.*12:02:* The Colts tie it up at 3-all on a 29-yard field goal from Adam Vinatieri. They could’ve had much more on the drive, but Brissett’s pass attempt on 2nd and 7 from the 12-yard line to wide receiver Kamar Aiken was dropped inside the five-yard line, and they got just one yard on a pass to Frank Gore on 3rd and 7. 8:14: Indianapolis is the first to find the end zone on the afternoon, as Brissett finds tight end Jack Doyle from 13 yards out for the touchdown — the second touchdown of the season for Doyle, and the 10th of his career. Doyle has also gotten off to a fantastic start, catching five passes for 50 yards and, now, this touchdown.4:36: The Bengals answer right back. After reeling off a 67-yard pass-and-catch on a screen play from Dalton to running back Joe Mixon, Cincinnati faced a 3rd and Goal from the eight-yard line after a false start call when the Bengals had gotten to the 3. But Dalton found his favorite target, A.J. Green, open in the back of the end zone for the eight-yard touchdown play, and after a seven-play, 91-yard drive, Cincinnati has tied this thing up at 10. 0:00: The Colts get a 33-yard field goal from Vinatieri to go into halftime with a 13-10 lead. THIRD QUARTER 9:16: The Bengals go 77 yards in 11 plays on their opening drive of the second half, which ends with a 25-yard high, lofting touchdown pass from Dalton to Josh Malone in which cornerback Vontae Davis just couldn’t figure out a way to get in the way. Cincinnati gets five first downs on the drive, and now the Colts — who have had halftime leads in five of their past six games — need to figure out how to answer back, which has been an issue this season. 2:10: Indianapolis answers, all right. Brissett finds rookie running back Marlon Mack on the screen play, who sprints his way down the sideline for a 24-yard touchdown, capping a 13-play, 88-yard drive that took seven minutes off the clock. It’s the first multiple throwing touchdown performance of the season by Brissett, whose Colts lead once again, 20-17. *1:00:** And now a defensive answer by the Colts, as Mingo chases down Mixon on a short pass to the left and slows him down, while safety Darius Butler strips him of the ball, which is recovered by Jon Bostic at the Cincinnati 37. Nice hustle play by Mingo, who has had a nice outing in place of Simon. 0:00: At the end of the third quarter, the Colts lead the Bengals, 20-17.FOURTH QUARTER11:24: Adam Vinatieri’s third field goal of the afternoon, this time from 29 yards, is good, and the Colts take advantage of the Bengals turnover to extend their lead to 23-17. With the kick, Vinatieri has now tied Gary Anderson for the second-most points scores in NFL history with 2,434.7:05: The Bengals quickly turn the tables, as Brissett’s pass is tipped at the line by Carlos Dunlap, who comes down with the ball at the Indianapolis 16 and rumbles his way into the end zone from there for the pick-six. After the extra point, the Bengals re-take the lead, 24-23. It’s the fourth interception returned for a touchdown thrown by the Colts this season. 1:18: Brissett's pass on 4th and 3 from the Indianapolis 47-yard line falls to the turf, and the Bengals take over on downs to wrap up the game.

Colts Fall To The Bengals, 24-23

Intro: The Indianapolis Colts travel to take on the Cincinnati Bengals today in their 2017 regular season Week 8 matchup at Paul Brown Stadium. Check back here for updates from the game.

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