T.J. Yates and Texans hand Bengals first defeat, 10-6

Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) fumbles the ball as he's tackled by Texans defenders Quintin Demps (27) and Kevin Johnson in the second half.

By Associated Press

Nov. 17, 2015 12 AM PT

CINCINNATI —

T.J. Yates took over in the third quarter after Brian Hoyer suffered a concussion and led the Houston Texans to a 10-6 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday night, throwing the touchdown pass that knocked the Bengals out of the ranks of the NFL’s unbeaten.

The Bengals (8-1) were trying to make NFL history and join New England and Carolina at 9-0 — there’s never been such a trio. A backup quarterback with a history of beating them got in the way.

Yates beat them twice as a rookie during the 2011 season, including a first-round playoff victory that was the Texans’ first. That experience helped get him through his impromptu performance Monday.

“It’s a little nostalgic,” said Yates, who completed five of 11 passes for 69 yards. “I have a lot of good memories in Cincinnati.”

Cincinnati contained some of the NFL’s top quarterbacks while getting off to the best start in club history. Yates was something else. And so was the Houston (4-5) defense, which was all over quarterback Andy Dalton.

Yates ended his first drive with a 22-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins, who made a one-handed catch in the end zone.

Dalton had another tough time against Houston, completing 21 of 37 passes for 187 yards with an interception and three sacks. Cincinnati’s final chance slipped away when A.J. Green made a catch for what would have been a first down at the Texans 23, then was stripped of the ball by Quintin Demps with 40 seconds left.

“I had both hands on the ball and I took one off to break my fall and he ripped it out,” Green said. “I was trying to break my fall. We’ll be all right. It’s tough to lose. Not everything is going to be pretty.”

The Bengals led, 6-3, after a first half that was filled with penalties and missed plays. Telling statistics: The quarterbacks led their teams in rushing. Hoyer had 15 yards on one scramble, and Dalton had 30 yards in five carries.

Houston’s running backs managed only 25 yards in the first half.

Yates hadn’t thrown a pass in a game since he was signed Oct. 28 to replace Ryan Mallett.