Dalton’s arm lifts Bengals
Andy Dalton threw four touchdown passes in the first half — three to A.J. Green — against a defense that has bedeviled him throughout his career, and the Bengals held off Baltimore for a 34-23 victory in Cincinnati on Thursday night.
The Bengals got ahead by 21 points, and the defense stopped Joe Flacco down the stretch.
Dalton knocked the Ravens out of playoff contention last season. On Thursday, he sliced and diced a defense that more often has gotten the upper hand in their AFC North rivalry.
Dalton finished 24-for-42 for 265 yards, throwing four touchdown passes for the fifth time in his career. Green set the tone with touchdown catches of 4, 28 and 7 yards on consecutive possessions, a career high.
Kendricks signing: The Seahawks are expected to sign linebacker Mychal Kendricks to a one-year contract despite his recent guilty plea on insider-trading charges. Two people with knowledge of the deal said that the Cal alum’s agreement is expected to be finalized in time for him to join the Seahawks for Monday’s game at Chicago. Kendricks’ sentencing is not expected to take place until January.
Hall of Fame nominees: Tony Gonzalez, the most accomplished tight end in NFL history, joined Ed Reed, Champ Bailey and London Fletcher among the first-year eligible players when the Pro Football Hall of Fame announced the names of 102 modern-era nominees for the class of 2019. Gonzalez, who played football and basketball at Cal in the mid-1990s, retired in 2013 after 17 pro seasons in which he had 1,325 receptions, second to Jerry Rice on the career list. The tight end made six All-Pro teams and was a member of the all-decade team for the 2000s. Finalists from 2018 who are nominated again include Edgerrin James, Isaac Bruce, Kevin Mawae, Steve Hutchinson, Tony Boselli, John Lynch (now the 49ers’ general manager) and Ty Law.
Bosa out: Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa will miss Sunday’s game at Buffalo because of a bone bruise to his left foot. Bosa first injured the foot in training camp then reinjured it in practice Sept. 5.