Bengals unsure of Dalton’s status

Associated Press

CINCINNATI

A quick-snap touchdown has the long-suffering Cincinnati Bengals thinking that their karma has finally changed.

The Bengals caught the Browns in a brain-lock moment Sunday, allowing A.J. Green’s 41-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of a 27-17 win. It’s the kind of breakdown that’s been more typical of the Bengals during their 20 years of futility.

A change, perhaps?

“That’s something we didn’t do last year,” defensive tackle Domata Peko said. “Last year in the fourth quarter, we fell apart.”

The Bengals (1-0) won only four games last season, repeatedly blowing chances at the end with mind-boggling moments.

Even coach Marvin Lewis, who usually is reluctant to read anything into one win, recognized the importance of winning the opener the way they did — with a backup quarterback throwing to a rookie receiver while the Browns hesitated.

“It was a great lesson for them to learn and to see something they can believe in and really hang their hat on,” Lewis said on Monday.

The most positive sign was how rookie quarterback Andy Dalton handled his debut on the road. The second-round draft pick completed 10 of 15 passes for 81 yards with a touchdown and no interceptions, leading Cincinnati to 13 points before getting hurt.

Dalton took a helmet to his lower right forearm near the end of the first half and didn’t return because he had trouble gripping the ball. Bruce Gradkowski finished the game.

Dalton was scheduled to see a specialist on Monday. The Bengals are hopeful that he can start next Sunday in Denver, where Cincinnati hasn’t won since 1975, dropping eight in a row. Dalton declined to talk on Monday.