Green Keeps Rushing to Bengals’ Aid, 20-10

Harold Green had a career day during an otherwise unimpressive performance by two of the NFL’s most inept teams.

Green rushed for a career-high 190 yards and scored a touchdown Sunday as the Cincinnati Bengals defeated the New England Patriots, 20-10.

Green, in his third pro season, carried 31 times during the second-best rushing performance in Bengal history. James Brooks’ 201 yards against Houston in 1990 is the club record.

Green, who replaced Brooks as the featured runner in Cincinnati’s one-back offense this year, also topped the 1,000-yard mark for the first time, reaching 1,131.

“I’m excited about it, but it’s not a big deal,” Green said. “It’s not all for Harold Green. It’s for everybody that’s been a part of this throughout the season.”

Green was the only effective offensive player in the game. The Bengals (5-10) and Patriots (2-13) lived down to their billing as two of the worst offenses in the league. The Bengals, ranked 26th, and the Patriots, ranked 27th, managed only three field goals between them. The Patriots were particularly bad, netting 176 yards against the NFL’s lowest-ranked defense.

Quarterback Don Hollas of the Bengals replaced David Klingler after Klingler left because of a bruised hip and possible concussion in the second quarter. Klingler, who completed six of 13 passes for 61 yards, led the Bengals to two first-quarter touchdowns, and Hollas protected the lead with conservative play-calling that featured Green.

Hollas inherited a 14-7 lead and led the Bengals to Jim Breech’s field goals of 21 and 39 yards. Hollas completed seven of 12 passes for 84 yards, leaving the Bengals with only 142 yards passing.

“We were fortunate today that we didn’t have to throw it,” Hollas said. “We kept our ball-control offense going.

“The coaches said to play it safe and keep this lead.”

Jon Vaughn of the Patriots returned a first-quarter kickoff 100 yards for a touchdown.