Green leads Bengals past depleted Miami
Cincinnati receiver A.J. Green followed his disappointing game with a dominating one — 173 yards and a touchdown — and the Bengals’ defense that was inspired by Vontaze Burfict’s return clamped down on the visiting Dolphins for a 22-7 victory Thursday night.
The Bengals (2-2) rebounded from a 29-17 home loss to Denver on Sunday with a solid all-around game against a depleted team.
Green led the way, beating Miami (1-3) on every type of route. He was upset with himself after he dropped a pivotal third-down pass and failed to make an impact against the Broncos.
During the first three quarters, Green had 166 yards on catches and Miami had 152 total yards. The Bengals’ month-long problem of stalling near the goal line forced them to settle for Mike Nugent’s five field goals.
The Dolphins were missing four starting offensive linemen, two linebackers, back Arian Foster and tight end Jordan Cameron. They had one big play — Ryan Tannehill threw a 74-yard touchdown pass to Kenny Stills — but couldn’t do anything else on offense.
The Bengals’ defense expected to get a lift from Burfict’s return. The volatile linebacker was suspended by the NFL for the first three games because of his illegal hits. He got a loud ovation when he ran onto the field during introductions wearing a baseball cap. Burfict knocked down a pass and had three tackles.
Mostly, it was Green’s show. He caught a 51-yard pass off Andy Dalton’s scramble in the first half, and had a 43-yard catch that set up another field goal in the third quarter for a 19-7 lead. He finished with 10 catches. Gordon to rehab: Josh Gordon isn’t going back on the field until he gets a tighter grip on his life.
The Browns’ suspended wide receiver said Thursday he’s entering rehab and putting his NFL career on hold.
Gordon was eligible to return from his latest fourgame suspension next week and play Oct. 9 against New England.
However, the 25-year-old’s future is again uncertain after he chose to seek professional help.
Gordon released a statement through the Browns.
“After careful thought and deep consideration, I’ve decided that I need to step away from pursuing my return to the Browns and my football career to enter an in-patient rehabilitation facility,” he said.
“This is the right decision for me and one that I hope will enable me to gain full control of my life and contin ue on a path to reach my full potential as a person.
Gordon has been suspended by the NFL in the past for marijuana and alcohol abuse.
League spokesman Brian McCarthy would not comment on Gordon’s status with the Browns.
“Our concern is with Josh’s well-being,” he said. Suspended Cowboy: Randy Gregory was suspended 10 games by the NFL on top of the four-game ban the Dallas defensive end already was serving for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. According to the labor agreement, four positive marijuana tests can lead to a 10-game suspension.