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Stafford finished 18-for-33 for 269 yards with
one touchdown and the two interceptions. The Rams (1-2) were
held to three field goals from Brett Maher before Stafford found
Tutu Atwell for a 1-yard TD with 1:03 left in the game.
The ensuing onside kick was recovered by the Bengals.
Evan McPherson went 4-for-5 on field-goal tries to help
Cincinnati grab control of the game.
Four plays into Los Angeles' first drive, Atwell took an end
around and raced to the end zone from 24 yards out. But replay
caught Atwell stepping out of bounds at the 2-yard line.
DJ Reader sacked Stafford on the next play, and the Rams were
eventually forced to settle for a 30-yard field goal from Maher.
The Bengals didn't respond until there was 12:55 left in the
second quarter, as McPherson capped a 12-play, 48-yard drive
with a 49-yard field goal to make it 3-3.
Both kickers traded field goals later in the quarter, with
McPherson's 53-yarder as time expired in the first half sending
the teams into the break tied at 6-6.
After Maher closed the first possession of the second half with
a 42-yard field goal, Cincinnati put together the first drive of
the game that resulted in a touchdown. The Bengals drove 75
yards in 10 plays, and Joe Mixon rushed for a 14-yard score that
provided the hosts with a 13-9 lead with 5:34 left in the third
quarter.
Mixon finished with 65 yards on 19 carries.
McPherson added two more field goals to push Cincinnati's
advantage to 10 before Stafford connected with Atwell for the
late score that gave Los Angeles a fighting chance.
--Field Level Media
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