Defense puts clamps on comeback

There were still four minutes and 28 seconds left in the game when rookie wide receiver A.J. Green scored on a 41-yard touchdown pass from Bruce Gradkowski to give the Bengals a 20-17 lead in the fourth quarter of Sunday’s season opener against Cleveland. The defense made that score stand up by shutting the door on the Browns as it had done for most of the second half in the Bengals’ 27-17 victory. After Cleveland K Phil Dawson made a 20-yard field goal on the Browns’ first possession of the third quarter to give the Browns a 17-13 lead, the Bengals held the Browns to 62 yards of net offense and just six first downs. Cleveland’s final six possessions of the game resulted in four punts, a turnover on downs and an interception by defensive end Michael Johnson. “We don’t mind the pressure to close the game,” said defensive end Robert Geathers. “If you want to be a great defense you’ve got to be able to seal the deal and take it on your shoulders. I think we showed a little of tha...