By Bruce Reller, Jr.
Reporter
The Cincinnati Bengals lost their season and home opener 16-13 to the Los Angeles Chargers on Sunday afternoon at Paul Brown Stadium.
Randy Bullock missed a 31 yard field goal with 2 seconds left as the Bengals had marched down the field on the final drive of the game.
The play before, wide receiver A.J. Green had appeared to catch a touchdown pass, but it was called back because he pushed off the defender.
The Bengals scored their only touchdown of the game in the first half when quarterback Joe Burrow found a hole up the middle and rushed for a 23 yard touchdown run. The Bengals led 7-6 at halftime.
The Bengals did kick a couple of field goals in the 3rd quarter, including a 50 yarder by Bullock, and Cincinnati was back up by a touchdown 13-6 after 3.
However, the Chargers marched down the field early in the 4th quarter and converted on a key third down. Joshua Kelley rushed it in for 5 yards to tie the game at 13-13.
The Bengals didn't help themselves in the 4th quarter. Running back Joe Mixon fumbled a ball and Burrow threw an interception in Chargers territory.
The Bengals did get the ball back late and marched down the field to give them a chance but the missed touchdown opportunity and the missed field goal ended their chances.
Bullock was apparently hurt on the play after he had made 24 field goals in a row. Cincinnati drops to 0-1 on the season.
Burrow was 23 for 36 passing for 193 yards, 46 yards rushing, one touchdown run and one interception. Mixon had 69 yards rushing and one fumble, his first since 2017.
The Bengals will travel on the road for a Thursday night match up against their Ohio foe the 0-1 Cleveland Browns at 8:20pm.