Bengals vs. Texans 2016 final score: Missed Cincinnati FG makes Houston the AFC South champs

The Houston Texans had an opportunity to clinch a postseason bid with a win over the Cincinnati Bengals on Saturday night. The game was close throughout, but despite a furious late-game rally by Cincinnati, the Texans were able to get a win and lock up the AFC South courtesy of a missed Randy Bullock field goal.

This one got off to a slow start, with Cincinnati being the only team to get on the board in the first half with one field goal. Houston added a field goal of its own to tie it up in the third quarter.

It was the fourth quarter by the time both teams really looked alive. The Bengals put up seven points on an 86-yard touchdown catch and run by Brandon LaFell. Houston added a field goal and a touchdown, though the PAT attempt was blocked by the Bengals.

Houston was disruptive, getting to Dalton three times. Whitney Mercilus and Jadeveon Clowney in particular were aggressive in bringing Dalton down.

Nobody was happier about this Jadeveon Clowney sack on Andy Dalton than J.J. Watt.

Cincinnati got after Texans quarterback Tom Savage, also, in his first NFL start. Savage was sacked four times by the Bengals. He finished the day completing 18 of 29 attempts for 176 yards and no touchdowns.

The Bengals had an opportunity for a game-winning drive as time ticked toward the end of regulation. It’s not a new thing for Dalton, who has 17 career game-winning drives in fourth quarters and overtime over his career.

The Bengals were trailing 12-10 and found themselves with a fourth-and-4 with just 1:25 to play. Cincinnati went for it, and the Bengals were able to convert it and keep the drive alive.

A missed tackle by Mercilus on a Rex Burkhead carry resulted in a gain of nine yards, which put the Bengals squarely in field goal range. Bullock’s 43-yard attempt went wide, giving the Texans the win.