Bengals Hang On in Game of Many Happy Returns

The Cincinnati Bengals punted a club-record 11 times. They let Eric Metcalf set an NFL record by returning two punts for touchdowns.

Yet, as the clock ran down Sunday, the Bengals were dousing their coach with water and running around the field as though they had won an important game. Three second-quarter turnovers had a lot do with it.

The Bengals scored three touchdowns off the turnovers, including John Copeland’s 25-yard return of a fumbled snap, and then held on for a 38-31 victory over the San Diego Chargers.

Cincinnati (2-7) snapped a seven-game losing streak and won for the first time since the season opener because the Chargers (4-5) helped out immensely. The Bengals scored 24 points in their biggest second quarter since 1989, and it was barely enough to overcome Metcalf’s record-setting day.

Asked if the topsy-turvy game was emotionally draining, a soaked Bengal Coach Bruce Coslet said, “Yes, it was. This has been a long time coming. We made it hard on ourselves, but we found a way to win.”

Mainly, they found the ball when it bounced their way.

“Between the fumble on the kickoff and the fumble and the interception on offense, we just gave them far too many chances,” San Diego Coach Kevin Gilbride said. “We really gave them a great opportunity to get a victory and gave them all the momentum they needed.”

Once the Bengals got ahead, their defense took control of the game. Cincinnati had six sacks--one fewer than its total for the first eight games. Charger quarterback Stan Humphries was knocked out of the game in the third quarter because of a concussion after an illegal hit by Reinard Wilson.

Metcalf returned punts 85 and 67 yards for touchdowns, giving him the NFL record of 10 career kick returns for scores. He has returned eight punts for touchdowns, matching that record, and four of them have come against the Bengals.