Bengals blow their opportunity on Thursday Night
The Cincinnati Bengals have shocked the NFL so far in 1997 and had the AFC Central Division lead going into their Thursday night tilt against the Tennessee Oilers with three games to play in the regular season. With a flat performance from their offense, the Bengals blew their opportunity to keep the division lead and lost to the Oilers, 20-13, at Cinergy Field.
The Bengals’ offense had a poor showing. The Bengals scored 13 points but only six of it came from their offense. The Oilers held the Bengals to just 286 total yards and only 54 on the ground. The only Bengal touchdown came when DE John Copeland picked up a Rodney Thomas fumble and raced 48 yards for a TD.
On the Oilers’ side, they rushed the ball for 181 yards. RB Eddie George rushed for 82 yards on 23 carries and two touchdowns. QB Steve McNair scrambled for 40 yards and threw for 179 yards on 18 of 31 passing.
The Bengals hope the Steelers lose Sunday against the Broncos to keep the division lead. If not, the Bengals will try to get the lead back next Sunday when they host the Dallas Cowboys. The Oilers are now 6-8 on the season and they will travel to Baltimore.