The Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals momentarily turned their Week 9 game into a shootout in the third quarter, with both teams exchanging touchdowns in the first five minutes of the second half. Peyton Manning and the Broncos took a 10-3 lead into the locker room, expecting to get the ball to start the second and continue their efficient work against the Bengals defense.
But they never had the opportunity, and for all the right reasons, as the blazingly fast Trindon Holliday took the opening second half kickoff 105 yards to the house. Holliday was well known for his ridiculous speed at LSU, where he starred in both track and football. He found a seam in the first 20 yards, kicked it out to the left side and was never touched.
The Bengals responded, however, with another former SEC star wideout getting in on the act for Cincinnati's first touchdown of the day. In just his second season, A.J. Green has already established himself as one of the best receivers in the game. He's a constant threat to score, and he was on the other end of an Andy Dalton 10-yard touchdown pass to pull the Bengals back within seven. The play capped an 80-yard drive that lasted a little more than three minutes and was a crucial possession to keep Cincinnati in the game.
Because of the kick return, Manning and the offense had limited time of possession in the third quarter. They'll need to go to work in the fourth to seal the win, as Cincinnati cut the lead to just 17-13 with a late Mike Nugent field goal.