Halftime Observations: Bengals Start Fast, Tied With Colts 14-14

Cincinnati is hoping to improve to 7-6 on the season.

CINCINNATI — The Bengals and Colts are tied 14-14 at halftime. 

Cincinnati controlled most of the first half, which included a 14-0 lead, but two costly mistakes let Indianapolis back into the game. 

The Bengals are hoping to improve to 7-6 on the season. Here are our halftime observations:

Brown and Mixon Lead the Way

Rookie running back Chase Brown has added the explosion the Bengals' needed on the ground. Brown scored a 54-yard touchdown in the first quarter after catching a screen pass from Jake Browning. 

The rookie topped out at 22.05 miles-per-hour on the play, which makes him the second-fastest ball carrier in the NFL this season. 

Joe Mixon hasn't ran the ball well, averaging just 2.8 yards-per-carry, but he did have a 46-yard catch and run that set up a one-yard touchdown in the second quarter. 

The duo of Brown and Mixon combined for 127 yards and two scores on Cincinnati's first three possessions of the game.

Big Penalty 

Trey Hendrickson was called for roughing the passer on 3rd-and-14 with 9:21 remaining in the second quarter. Instead of having to punt, the Colts extended their drive, before ultimately scoring a touchdown with less than two minutes left. 

Key Turnover

Browning tried to find Tanner Hudson for a first down on the ensuing possession, but his throw was off target. Ronnie Harrison Jr. intercepted the pass and ran it into the end zone for the score.

Indianapolis converted the 2-point conversion to tie the game at 14. 

The Bengals Will Win If...

The continue to produce explosive plays on offense. Brown's 54-yard touchdown and Mixon's 46-yard catch helped set up both of their scores. 

The screen plays have also helped neutralize the Colts' pass rush. 

On defense, they have to continue to find way to get off the field—whether it's on third down or by forcing turnovers. Hendrickson's roughing the passer penalty gave the Colts life in the second quarter. They can't have mistakes like that if they're going to end this game with a win.  

Cincinnati will get the ball to start the second half. They need to get points on their opening possession to get re-gain the momentum.

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