Bengals lead 17-3 at halftime against Chiefs

KANSAS CITY -- The Bengals defense came up big late in the second quarter, collecting three sacks on four plays, all from defensive linemen: Robert Geathers, John Thornton and Justin Smith.

Thornton and Smith had back-to-back sacks to push the Chiefs into a fourth and 25 from their 8-yard line. A 29-yard punt by Dustin Colquitt set the Bengals up with first down on the Kansas City 37-yard line.

Rudi Johnson had a seven-yard reception, following by a 16-yard run to move the ball to the 14. Johnson ran three years before Carson Palmer threw eight yards to Kenny Watson for a first and goal from the 4. After being penalized for having 12 players in the huddle, Watson took a pitch left and ran eight yards for the touchdown behind a crushing block on the end by left tackle Levi Jones.

The drive took 2:02 and covered 37 yards in five plays.

Rudi Johnson has run 12 times for 66 yards in the first half, and Palmer is 10-for-13 passing for 75 yards and a 90.2 passer rating.

Under coach Marvin Lewis from 2003-05, the Bengals were 18-4 when leading at halftime.