Dickerson Resurfaces for Colts : AFC: He rushes for 143 yards and a touchdown in 34-20 win over Bengals.

Eric Dickerson has his game back, again.

He rushed 22 times for 143 yards and a touchdown Sunday as the Indianapolis Colts won their third consecutive game, beating the Cincinnati Bengals, 34-20.

“I was concerned about him because I knew he was ready to have one of these days,” Bengal Coach Sam Wyche said. “We just couldn’t match his speed when he broke to the outside.”

Dickerson returned to the Colts in the sixth week of the season after a contract dispute but had accomplished little until Sunday, when he set up his own one-yard touchdown run with a 43-yard scamper in the second quarter, and set up a field goal with a 32-yarder later in the quarter. A 17-yard run by Dickerson set up the Colt’s final field goal.

“I think this will give a lot of confidence to the team,” Dickerson said. “I think we improve a little bit each week.”

Wyche said the Colts, who had been 11-point underdogs, outplayed Cincinnati in almost every phase of the game.

“We were playing our hearts out, and the Colts were just too good for us,” Wyche said. “They’re going to be too good for a lot of teams.”

Rookie Jeff George was even better than he had looked on film, Wyche said. George, having his best day as a pro, completed 21 of 31 passes for 251 yards and threw touchdown passes to Jessie Hester, Bill Brooks and Stanley Morgan.

“He’s going to be a big-time player,” Wyche said.

George was not overwhelmed with his performance.

“I think my best game was against Buffalo,” George said. “But this was great. The team played well, and with people talking about our offense failing, this proves them wrong.”

Going in, the Colts (5-6) were last, statistically, in NFL offense. They had not had a 100-yard game from a running back.

The resurgence of Dickerson and the growth of George allowed the Colts to establish a balance of passing and rushing they had been lacking, and they thoroughly dominated play until the Bengals (6-5) rallied with two quick touchdowns in the third quarter.

George served notice on the AFC Central Division-leading Bengals early, connecting with Hester for a 40-yard gain on the first play from scrimmage. The Colts ended that series with a missed 51-yard field-goal attempt, but that was their last non-scoring possession until late in the third quarter.

Ickey Woods scored from the one-yard line on the Bengals’ first possession. But Keith Taylor blocked the conversion attempt, signaling the problems--including two fumbles and an interception--that would haunt the Bengals.

On their second possession, the Colts put together a 76-yard drive, including a 13-yard touchdown pass to Hester.

The Bengals drove to the Colts’ one-yard line on their next possession, but Jeff Herrod forced Woods to fumble into the end zone, and Jon Hand recovered for the Colts.

Dickerson’s 43-yard run keyed the Colts’ ensuing 80-yard drive, with Dickerson carrying from the one for his first touchdown of the season. It was the 83rd rushing touchdown of Dickerson’s career, moving him ahead of Jim Taylor and into fifth place on the all-time list.

After leading 17-6 at halftime, George moved the Colts 80 yards in four plays to start the second half, opening the series with a 75-yard pass play to Brooks and ending it with a five-yard scoring pass to Brooks.

The Bengals’ James Brooks rushed for 69 yards in 11 carries to become Cincinnati’s career rushing leader with 5,440 yards.