NFL 2011 Week 1 - Bengals Score Two Late Touchdowns to Stun Browns

Bengals Score Two Late Touchdowns to Stun Browns
John Nestor

Cleveland, OH

Rookie wide receiver A.J. Green caught a late touchdown pass and the Cincinnati Bengals overcame the loss of their starting quarterback and the Cleveland Browns for a 27-17 victory in the season opener for both teams.

Green and the Bengals caught the Browns defense off guard as the former Georgia star hauled in a 41-yard touchdown pass from backup Bruce Gradkowski.

Green's score gave the Bengals a 20-17 lead with 4:28 to play. Cedric Benson, who ran 25 times for 121 yards iced the game with a 39-yard touchdown run with 1:49 to go.

The late scores by the Bengals (1-0) dropped the Browns (0-1) to 1-12 in season openers since 1999 and spoiled the debut of new Cleveland coach Pat Shurmur.

Gradkowski came in in relief of injured rookie Andy Dalton, who went 10-for-15 for 82 yards before leaving the game with a right wrist injury.

Cleveland quarterback Colt McCoy threw two TD passes but was 19-of-40 for 213 yards and was intercepted once.