A pass interference call set up the Texans on the Bengals' doorstep late in the fourth quarter. And T.J. Yates came through when it mattered to give Houston its first AFC South title.
NFL Scores Week 14, Texans Vs. Bengals: Houston Comes Back, Clinches AFC South Title In 20-19 Thriller
Houston earned its first division title and playoff berth with a stirring comeback win over the Bengals in Week 14.
Getty Images
After a penalty gave the Texans the ball deep in Bengals territory on a fourth quarter drive, Yates found Kevin Walter on a six-yard throw with just two seconds left to give Houston a 20-19 victory and win the AFC South for the first time in franchise history.
Yates threw for 300 yards and two touchdowns, while the normally fantastic Houston rushing attack got numbers but was held out of the end zone; Ben Tate, Arian Foster, and Yates combined for 144 yards on the ground, but none topped 70 yards individually.
For the Bengals, who forced four turnovers, this will go down as a loss snatched from the jaws of victory. Cincy led 16-3 at halftime and 19-10 entering the fourth quarter, but couldn't do much to stop Yates and the Texans late. Andy Dalton threw for 189 yards and a touchdown in the loss.
The win makes the Texans 10-3 in 2011, and makes Houston the first AFC team to clinch a division title. Cincinnati fell to 7-6 with the loss, leaving the Bengals’ playoff hopes in intensive care.
For more on the Texans, visit Battle Red Blog. For more on the Bengals, visit Cincy Jungle. SB Nation has you covered for the rest of Week 14’s NFL action, too: check out all the Week 14 NFL news and scores and Week 14 fantasy stats, and Week 14 NFL video highlights in our dedicated StoryStreams, and head to SB Nation’s NFL hub any time for plenty more on the league.
See More:
