The Bengals tied the game following a combination of big plays from wide receiver A.J. Green and running back Cedric Benson, who tied the game with a 16-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter. Mike Nugent kicks ensuing kickoff out of the back of the endzone forcing the Browns to start at their own 20-yard line. On first down Bengals defensive tackle Geno Atkins bull rushes the offensive line, raising his mits into the air to knock down a Colt McCoy pass at the line of scrimmage. Cleveland would pick up the first down on the following play after running back Chris Ogbonnaya is Christmas gifted a massive lane on the right, posting 11 yards on the play as the first quarter concludes.
Ogbonnaya picked up four yards off the left edge, followed by a five-yard quick out to Greg Little near the left sidelines setting up a third and one from the Browns 40-yard line with 13:50 remaining in the first quarter. Hillis takes the handoff and was initially held before the first down marker, but a second effort allowed him to pick up the first down.
Cincinnati's defense is flat. Allowing chunks of yardage in the school of not allowing a big play, but not being shutdown enough to halt Cleveland's offense. A 13-yard end-around by Greg Little setup a six-yard Hillis run up the middle on first down. With four yards needed on third down with 11:44 remaining in the first quarter, McCoy hits Greg Little on a quick out that picked up 15 yards thanks to Nate Clements, who looks sluggish and old against the quicker and younger wide receiver.
Following Cincinnati using their first timeout of the half, Hillis explodes through the line of scrimmage for a 10-yard run with a massive hole up the middle. McCoy on first down fakes the handoff, looks downfield and holds onto the football when Robert Geathers sheds off his block and wraps the quarterback around the waist for the quarterback sack.
Cleveland is left with a third and 14 from the Bengals 18-yard line with under ten minutes remaining in the first half. McCoy under shotgun scrambles out of the pocket and sprints towards the right sidelines for a four-yard gain. Phil Dawson converts the 32-yard field goal to give the Browns a 10-7 lead.
