PRO FOOTBALL : This Homecoming Not a Fun One for Klingler : AFC: Cincinnati quarterback has tough time in return to Houston; Oilers win, 20-13.

The Houston defense sacked David Klingler seven times and intercepted three of his passes as the Oilers defeated the Cincinnati Bengals, 20-13, Sunday for their first victory.

Klingler, who grew up in Houston and played at the University of Houston, and the Bengals dropped to 0-4. The Oilers (1-3) have won 10 in a row against Cincinnati at the Astrodome since 1984.

“It was a bad performance for me, especially coming home, but we’ll work it out,” Klingler said.

Gary Brown scored two touchdowns for Houston. The Oilers’ offense, however, continued to struggle even with the return of starting quarterback Cody Carlson.

Carlson looked shaky in his first game since sustaining a second-degree shoulder separation in the season opener. His timing was clearly off as he completed only 12 of 33 passes for 211 yards. He was sacked three times, twice by end Alfred Williams.

Carlson suffered a broken nose in the third quarter and was taken to a hospital after the game for X-rays.

Klingler completed 10 of 30 passes for 112 yards.

The Bengals rallied with a 21-yard field goal by Doug Pelfrey midway through the third quarter and Corey Sawyer’s 82-yard punt return for a touchdown three minutes into the fourth quarter. Pelfrey added a 49-yard field goal with 6:45 left.

Cincinnati fought right down to the final second. Klingler completed a 27-yard pass to Darnay Scott to midfield but defensive tackle Ray Childress administered the final sack to kill the Bengals’ final effort.