With the aid of their offensive line, the Bengals scored on their first four possessions while building a 21-0 lead Sunday in Indianapolis, but another last-drive snafu allowed the ageless Philip Rivers to cut their lead to 24-21 at halftime.
Rivers, under fire after last week's loss to Cleveland in which he looked all of his 38 years, suddenly looked like the guy that put up 42 points in a half against the Bengals in 2006 game. He racked up 267 yards in the half on 18 of 26 passing. The killer came with 15 seconds left in the half and Rivers facing a third-and-10. Cornerback LeShaun Sims had good press coverage on wide receiver Zach Pascal, but he couldn't make a play on the ball for a 17-yard touchdown that Rivers seemingly dropped from a plane with no absolutely no pressure from the Bengals all half.
_But rookie quarterback Joe Burrow was very good, too. He was nine of 15 for 164 yards and was sacked just once when nobody was open. Running back Joe Mixon helped out with 44 yards on 11 carries, but he left in the second quarter with a right foot injury, although he did return to the sidelines before halftime.
Wide receiver Tyler Boyd, who converted a jet sweep for 25 yards to set up Randy Bullock's 47-yarder, left after the half's final series when he lost a first down by coming back after a catch and then lost the ball on a fumble recovered by center Trey Hopkins. Boyd, four catches for 52 yards, limped off the field.
_Burrow converted a third-and-nine for the Bengals' longest play since the middle of the 2017 season. With the Colts teeing up a cornerback blitz from the slot, Burrow knew he'd see some kind of man coverage and he went up top to rookie wide receiver Tee Higgins racing past cornerback Rock Ya-Sin for a 67-yard play that put the ball on the Colts 2.
It was the Bengals' longest play since wide receiver A.J. Green's 70-yard touchdown catch in Tennessee on Nov. 12, 2017.
When tight end Drew Sample flinched on first down, the Bengals offensive line took over a game it dominated early on. With left guard Michael Jordan and left tackle Jonah Williams pulling and everyone else pushing the Colts back, Mixon kept his legs driving behind the pile and mushed in a seven-yard touchdown run to make it 21-0 on the first snap of the second quarter.
The offense that came into the game with no red-zone rushing touchdowns had three in Sunday's first 15:06.
_The Bengals interior offensive line pushed around the estimable Colts front right off the first snap. After going up 7-0 on their first red-zone rushing touchdown of the season, on the second series Burrow put his head down at the Colts 2 on a fourth-and-one sneak, Jordan and Williams shot off the ball and running back Samaje Perine, lined up as a fullback, pushed from the back and the Bengals led, 14-0, less than 12 minutes into the game.
The drive featured the return of Green. On his first catch in two weeks, Green made himself available in the middle of the field on a Burrow scramble for a 12-yarder. Then he made his longest catch of the season on a classic A.J-like slant and run dragging a defender at the end of his 17-yard gain.
And Burrow got the obligatory third-down catch from Boyd, their eighth third-down connection, on a 23-yarder Burrow floated down the seam of a zone on third-and-nine.
_For the ninth time this season the Bengals faced a third-and-goal on their first possession and they scored a touchdown for the fifth time when running back Giovani Bernard scored standing up on a third-down two-yard touchdown run to give them a 7-0 lead.
That was courtesy of Hopkins and Jordan covering up monstrous Colts defensive tackle DeForest Buckner to give them a 7-0 lead, set up on Burrow's 22-yard catch-and-run slant to Boyd.
_What a start for veteran defensive tackle Xavier Williams in his Bengals debut. He not only started the game, but the second snap he grabbed tight end Jack Doyle unforced fumble at the Colts 43 to set up the Bengals' 7-0 lead. And it was the Bengals' first fumble recovery of the season.
_The Bengals followed up that series with two three-and-outs on two terrific third-and-short stops by cornerback William Jackson III. On the first one he took advantage of end Carl Lawson's penetration and dropped running back Jonathan Taylor for a one-yard gain. Then on the second one knocked away a slant headed for wide receiver T.Y. Hilton.
_Despite the big lead, the Bengals couldn't generate any pass rush and that allowed Rivers to unleash a 55-yard bomb to wide receiver Marcus Johnson, just off the practice squad, working against strong safety Vonn Bell, and that set up tight end Trey Burton's one-yard run as the quarterback out of the Wildcat formation.
_At that point Rivers abandoned the run game and attacked the Bengals underneath, relying on quick throws, yards after catch and some missed tackles. And, the Bengals couldn't cover Johnson. On a key play in the Colts' last drive Johnson got behind Sims and safety Shawn Williams for a 20-yarder.
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Anthony Walker (54) lines up on defense during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) hands off to Cincinnati Bengals running back Giovani Bernard (25) during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Cincinnati Bengals tackle Bobby Hart (68) drops back into protection during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Bobby Okereke (58) reacts after dropping an interception during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) look to the sidelines during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
field judge Tra Blake (33), down judge Mike Carr (63) and the rest of the officiating crew stand together during a timeout during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts cornerback Kenny Moore (23) and Indianapolis Colts safety Julian Blackmon (32) celebrate the game clinching interception in the fourth quarter during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts running back Jonathan Taylor (28) runs up the middle during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) runs from pressure during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Cincinnati Bengals safety Jessie Bates III (30) lines up on defense during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Cincinnati Bengals kicker Randy Bullock (4) walks off the field after missing a field goal during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) calls out the snap count during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws downfield during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws downfield during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) runs to the huddle during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts linebacker Darius Leonard (53) watches from the sidelines during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) scrambles from pressure during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws downfield during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) watches a replay on the sidelines during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Athletic trainers look at Indianapolis Colts cornerback Xavier Rhodes (27) on the field during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Indianapolis Colts quarterback Philip Rivers (17) warms up on the field before an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (85) catches a pass in front of Indianapolis Colts cornerback Rock Ya-Sin (26) during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) and Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor talk on the field during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Crucial Catch signage wrapped around the goalpost during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Cincinnati Bengals' Tee Higgins (85) is tackled Indianapolis Colts' Bobby Okereke (58) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws from the pocket during an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Zach Bolinger)
Cincinnati Bengals' Tyler Boyd (83) runs during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) calls a play during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Mixon (28) celebrates a touchdown run with Tee Higgins (85) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Cincinnati Bengals' Tee Higgins (85) runs against Indianapolis Colts' Anthony Walker (54) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Cincinnati Bengals' Jonah Williams (73) blocks during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Cincinnati Bengals' Randy Bullock (4) reacts with teammates after kicking a field goal during the second half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Mixon (28) and Tyler Boyd (83) celebrate a touchdown by Mixon during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Cincinnati Bengals' Giovani Bernard celebrates after running for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) looks to throw during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Cincinnati Bengals' Tyler Boyd (83) is tackled by Indianapolis Colts' Khari Willis during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Cincinnati Bengals kicker Randy Bullock kicks an extra point out do the hold of Kevin Huber (10) during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Mixon (28) runs during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) calls a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Cincinnati Bengals' Giovani Bernard (25) runs for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Cincinnati Bengals' Joe Mixon (28) runs during the first half of an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
The Cincinnati Bengals are introduced before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Safety Jessie Bates III adjusts his helmet prior to the Cincinnati Bengals game against the Indianapolis Colts.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow throws before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
A Cincinnati Bengals fan watches before an NFL football game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Tight end Drew Sample warms up prior to a Week 6 game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
Quarterback Joe Burrow warms up on the field for a Week 6 matchup against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020.
Cincinnati Bengals' Giovani Bernard (25) throws before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis.
Cincinnati Bengals' Samaje Perine (34) stretches next to a Crucial Catch sign before an NFL football game against the Indianapolis Colts, Sunday, Oct. 18, 2020, in Indianapolis. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
