Bengals Make a Stand, Beat Cardinals, 21-14

Last season, the Cincinnati Bengals’ fourth-quarter defensive problems played a major role in a 4-11 record and a reputation as a team that folds in the clutch.

But defensive end Jason Buck thinks a late goal-line stand Sunday against the Phoenix Cardinals will change the Bengals’ reputation as well as their luck.

The goal-line stand, the Bengals’ second of the day, came as time ran out and preserved a 21-14 victory.

“That’s exactly what we needed, this team and especially the defense,” said Buck, who sacked Cardinal quarterback Neil Lomax on the game’s final play. “We’ve always been known as an offensive team. Last year we were known as a team that folded in the last minutes.”

They nearly did that again, letting Lomax drive the Cardinals from the Phoenix 20 with 3:59 left to a first down at the Bengals’ 1-yard line with 1:15 remaining.

Cincinnati then mixed up its line schemes to cause breakdowns in the Cardinals’ blocking. The strategy worked.

Stump Mitchell was dropped for a 2-yard loss by David Fulcher, a Lomax pass was tipped away, and Mitchell was thrown for a 6-yard loss by Carl Zander with 8 seconds left.

On fourth down, Buck came through a hole in the Cardinals’ line to prevent Lomax from getting off a pass, giving the Cardinals a loss in their first regular-season game since moving from St. Louis to Phoenix.

The Bengals also stopped the Cardinals on a first-and-goal from the 1-yard line on the game’s first possession.

“I can’t express in words how frustrated I am,” Lomax said. “They mixed some things up, mixed up a blocking scheme here and there, especially at the goal line.”

The dramatic ending prompted Bengal Coach Sam Wyche, under pressure to win in the final year of his contract, to chide the media after the game.

“I don’t want to hear any of you guys talk about our fourth-quarter play again,” he said, angrily.

Esiason connected with Eddie Brown on a 61-yard touchdown pass play to tie the score, 14-14, in the third quarter, then threw a 15-yard scoring pass to Mike Martin with 11:15 to play to give the Bengals their first lead.

Esiason completed 9 of his first 11 passes in the second half to rally the Bengals from a 14-7 deficit.