Halftime Observations: Cincinnati Bengals Start Fast, Lead Arizona Cardinals 17-14

GLENDALE, ARIZ — The Bengals lead the Cardinals 17-14 at halftime. Cincinnati got off to a quick start, gave up the lead in the second quarter, but Cam Taylor-Britt's 11-yard interception for a touchdown gave Cincinnati the lead at halftime.

Cardinals quarterback Josh Dobbs threw 137 passes this season without an interception prior to Taylor-Britt's game changing play.

Here are our halftime observations:

Fast Start

The Bengals hadn't scored touchdown in the first half touchdown in their first four games this season. That quickly changed on Sunday.

After forcing Arizona to go 3-and-out on their opening drive, Joe Burrow led Cincinnati on an 11-play, 64-yard drive that ended with a two-yard touchdown pass to Ja'Marr Chase.

Burrow took a few steps to his right to give himself some extra time before finding Chase open in the end zone.

The Bengals' defense forced a second 3-and-out and Trenton Irwin's 28-yard punt return gave Cincinnati the ball at the Arizona 48-yard line.

The Bengals drove downfield and nearly scored a second touchdown, but they were forced to setting for a 40-yard field goal by Evan McPherson.

Burrow started the game 11-of-12 for 95 yards and one touchdown.

Ugly Second Quarter

Cincinnati led 10-0 at the end of the first quarter, but the Cardinals' offense quickly woke up.

Arizona marched downfield in just nine plays, driving 75 yards in a possession that ended with a 25-yard touchdown catch by Hollywood Brown. The Bengals went 3-and-out on the following possession and the Cardinals got the ball back with great field position.

It only took them five plays to take their first lead of the game. James Conner's 35-yard run put Arizona in position and Josh Dobbs did the rest. He found Zach Ertz for a 4-yard touchdown to give the Cardinals a 14-10 lead midway through the second quarter.

The Bengals Will Win If...

The find a way to slow down the Cardinals' offense. Cincinnati's defense was beaten for multiple explosive plays in the first half.

They also have to keep Conner in check. Meanwhile, this offense got into a rhythm early, before hitting a second quarter lull. They responded well by going on a 13-play, 70-yard drive that stalled at the one-yard line.

Joe Mixon was stuffed on third and fourth down inside the one-yard line.

The offenses failure led to the biggest play of the game by the defense. Taylor-Britt's 11-yard interception gave Cincinnati the lead late in the second quarter.

The Bengals will receive the opening kickoff of the second half.

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