The Redskins Blog

Series History: Redskins-Bengals

(Washington Redskins linebacker Andre Collins (55) congratulates Brian Mitchell (30) after his 66-yard punt return for a touchdown during the Redskins 34-27 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals on Sept. 22, 1991, at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio) (AP photo)

The Redskins have played the Bengals on eight occasions in the regular season, beginning in 1970. The 2012 matchup is only the third game between the Redskins and the Bengals in the last 20 years, with Cincinnati winning games during the 2004 and 2008 seasons.

The Bengals have played in Cincinnati since their inaugural season as a franchise in 1968. The Bengals’ Paul Brown Stadium is located near the Ohio River in Cincinnati, Ohio, which also is home to the team’s practice and training facilities.

The Redskins won the first-ever matchup between the two teams, 20-0, on Oct. 25, 1970, at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C. In that game, the Redskins outrushed the Bengals 212 yards to 120, led by 110 yards rushing by Larry Brown. Redskins quarterback Sonny Jurgensen was 13-of-24 for 123 yards and two touchdowns on the day.

The Redskins played their first game against the Bengals at FedExField on Nov. 14, 2004, a 17-10 Bengals win in front of 87,786 fans. In that game, the Redskins scored 10 unanswered points in the fourth quarter before time ran out on their comeback attempt. Washington running back Clinton Portis had 81 yards rushing and 32 yards receiving; the Bengals, meanwhile, were led by a storming defense that totaled five sacks of Redskins quarterback Patrick Ramsey and Mark Brunell.

Overall, the Redskins are 3-1 all-time when hosting the Bengals, including wins in 1970, 1979 and 1985. The two teams have played one overtime thriller, a 20-17 Bengals win Dec. 17, 1988, at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati.

Bengals quarterback Boomer Esiason’s 69-yard touchdown pass to Eddie Brown tied the score at 17 in the fourth quarter, and Cincinnati kicker Jim Breech won the game in overtime with a 20-yard field goal.

The last matchup between the teams saw a 20-13 Bengals win on Dec. 14, 2008, in Cincinnati. The win for the Bengals was just their second in 14 games that season, while the Redskins fell to 7-7.

In that game, the Bengals outgained the Redskins 310-280 as Washington quarterback Jason Campbell passed for 167 yards and a touchdown to wide receiver Santana Moss.

The Redskins and the Bengals have four wins apiece in their series history. The two teams have never met in the playoffs.