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 The Bengals (9-2), who had lost two straight for the first time
since 2013, left little doubt in this one.
"It was kind of uneventful and that's what we needed," said Bengals
coach Marvin Lewis. "Good focus this week in all three phases.
Overall I was pleased. Every time we come out here the goal is to
get better, whether it's win, lose or draw. There were some
positives this week".
Cincinnati's defense held Rams running back Todd Gurley to only 19
yards on nine carries.
The Bengals figured to run the ball against the Rams and gained 140
yards on the ground led by Jeremy Hill's season-high 86 on 16
carries.
"It was a key to the game," said Lewis. "Both sides controlling the
line of scrimmage. We were able to get that done today."
Nick Foles started at quarterback for the Rams (4-7) replacing Casey
Keenum, who was out with a concussion suffered last week.
Foles who was under constant pressure and was sacked once and threw
three interceptions.
"When they're up there getting pressure causing havoc, it makes
things easier," said safety George Iloka who had one of the picks.
"They did a great job keeping the quarterback in the pocket and that
allowed us to keep our eyes on the quarterback and make plays."
Receiver Tavon Austin was the lone weapon for St. Louis' offense,
rushing for 63 yards and a touchdown, but all but three of his yards
came on one carry.
Cincinnati was machine-like in its opening drive, going 63 yards in
seven plays including a 10-yard touchdown pass from Dalton to Green,
who was left uncovered in the end zone.
The Rams wasted good field position a couple times in the first
half, once when they forced Cincinnati to punt from deep in its own
end but were flagged for roughing the punter resulting in a first
down.
A 30-yard gain on a reverse to receiver Marvin Jones set up a
21-yard field goal by Mike Nugent to make the score 10-0 early in
the second quarter.
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Trickery paid off for St. Louis when Gurley lined up in the wildcat
formation then handed off to Austin who sprinted 60 yards down the
right sideline.
Two plays later, Austin's 5-yard run made the score 10-7.
But the Bengals regained their 10-point lead with a 22-yard
touchdown pass from Dalton to tight end Tyler Eifert, making the
score 17-7 with 3:27 left in the half.
Cincinnati came out running the ball on its opening possession of
the second half but an underthrow by Dalton was intercepted by Rams
cornerback Janoris Jenkins.
But the Bengals' defense held helping them put the score out of
reach.
Running back Gio Bernard's 44-yard catch and run set up Dalton's
18-yard touchdown pass to Green putting Cincinnati ahead 24-7.
Cornerback Leon Hall sealed the win with a 19-yard interception
return for a touchdown.
"I forced it trying to make a play," said Foles. This is a bump in
the road, a character builder. There's no choice, you can't give
up."
(Editing by Frank Pingue)
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