Andy Dalton, Bengals trounce Rams 31-7

Andy Dalton threw three touchdown passes – two of them to A.J. Green – & the Bengals played more like they did throughout the 1st half of the season, beating the St. Louis Rams 31-7 on Sunday. Case Keenum started last week, but an injury will force him out of this week and make Foles the starter again. Foles completed 30 of his 46 pass attempts for 228 yards, however, his three interceptions proved incredibly costly. “I realized today that when we come out with high energy everyone feeds off it. I told the defense, ‘You feel that?” Britt in turn tops team receiving. He remains hospitalized following surgery.

Commenting on his decision, Pettine said: “Everyone in this organisation wants what is best for Johnny just like we do for every player in our locker room…” Dalton will have yet another huge game and throw for 300 yards and four touchdowns this afternoon against a very tough St. Louis defense. Two plays later, Austin motored past the marker for a Rams touchdown.

“Anyone that implies it’s an effort issue – they can kiss my ass”, Fisher said. The next-longest active streak without 200 yards passing?

On 2nd-and-3 from the St. Louis 27, Gurley lined up about five yards behind center Tim Barnes to take a direct snap.

GOOD HANDS: Tyler Eifert’s recovery of Bernard’s fumble at the end of a 45-yard run was probably the biggest play in the third quarter. Tackle Geno Atkins had a sack, giving him the league lead for an interior lineman with eight. Jeremy Hill seemed to find his stride, as he rolled up 86 yards on 16 carries.

To make matters worse for the Patriots, Rob Gronkowski was carted off the field late in the fourth quarter with a knee injury.

Fisher meant to stay with Keenum if he was healthy, but the quarterback didn’t have a full practice last week and wasn’t cleared to play on Sunday.

LEAPING LEON: Hall’s interception and 19-yard return for a touchdown pretty much iced the game. They have been rewarded for their faith in Gurley and he has already become one of the top running backs in the NFL. The wideout was left open in the end zone and Andy Dalton found him easily with a 10-yard strike to put the Bengals up, 7-0. Austin’s 5-yard run finished the drive.

Referee, Gene Steratore, placed the ball at the site of Amendola’s catch, for a gain of 14 yards, and with Belichick calling for the booing Foxborourgh crowd to be quiet, the Patriots quickly continued the drive, which ended in an errant field goal attempt.

Cincinnati had a four game advantage over the Pittsburgh Steelers just weeks ago in the AFC North, but after the Bengals downturn in form, and with the Steelers moving to 6-4, there is a real chance that Pittsburgh could catch the Bengals, especially with the pair facing off on December 13.