Backup Yates helps Texans hand Bengals their 1st loss

CINCINNATI - T.J. Yates took over after Brian Hoyer sustained a concussion on Monday night and rallied the Houston Texans to a 10-6 victory over Cincinnati, the Bengals’ first loss.

The Bengals (8-1) were trying to give the NFL its first trio of 9-0 teams, joining New England and Carolina. A backup quarterback with a history of beating them did it again.

It was appropriate that the first loss came against the Texans (4-5), who made Andy Dalton look very bad during first-round playoff victories over the Bengals during the 2011 and 2012 seasons. Yates was behind that first one.

Yates, who returned to the Texans on Oct. 28, took over in the third quarter and threw a 22-yard touchdown pass to DeAndre Hopkins.

Dalton had another tough time against a Texans defense. Cincinnati’s final chance slipped away when A.J. Green fumbled after a catch with 40 seconds left. The Bengals travel to University of Phoenix Stadium for Sunday night’s game against the Cardinals.

Former Arizona State standout Brock Osweiler will make his first NFL start, replacing an injured Peyton Manning in the Broncos’ game against the Chicago Bears.

Broncos coach Gary Kubiak decided to make the switch Monday in the aftermath of Denver’s 29-13 loss to Kansas City in which Manning was picked off four times and had a rock-bottom 0.0 passer rating in 2 1-2 quarters of work. Osweiler relieved him and drove Denver to two late touchdowns.

Kubiak was kicking himself for letting Manning play against the Chiefs after he’d been limited during the week by a torn plantar fascia in his right foot, a mysterious ribcage injury that announced itself over the weekend and a lingering sore throwing shoulder.

Case Keenum will replace Nick Foles as the starting quarterback, St. Louis Rams coach Jeff Fisher said Monday. Wide receiver Victor Cruz disclosed Monday that he needs season-ending surgery to repair a small tear in his left calf.

— Wire services