The Bengals defense forces a punt, the first time since Week 2 against the Chiefs

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Cincinnati Bengals desperately need a win.

The Bengals want to secure a decisive victory on Sunday against the Carolina Panthers.

Bengals, 28 | Panthers, 14

The Bengals' defense stepped up in the third quarter and forced a punt for the first time since Week 2 against the Kansas City Chiefs.

Chase Brown has done it again. The running back scored his second touchdown of the day on Cincinnati's first drive of the second half.

Despite nearly slipping before the touchdown, Zack Moss ran in a 1-yard pass to give the Bengals the lead before halftime.

Andy Dalton found Xavier Legette in the end zone for an 8-yard touchdown, the Panthers' second of the day. It was also Legette's first career touchdown.

Burrow to Chase. On his first score of the game, Ja'Marr Chase weaved his way through four defenders for a 63-yard touchdown.

The Panthers tied the Bengals with a 3-yard rush from running back Chuba Hubbard.

The Bengals struck first against the Panthers, with Chase Brown running a 3-yard touchdown. It was Brown's first career rushing touchdown.

Von Bell secured his first interception of the season on a pass from Panthers quarterback Andy Dalton forced by Trey Hendrickson. It was the first interception Dalton ever threw against his former team.

The Bengals defense – which has been difficult so far this season – had a huge fourth-and-goal stop on the Panthers' opening drive.

Morale is low after Cincinnati is off to its worst start to the season (0-3) since 2019 following last week's 38-33 loss to the Washington Commanders at Paycor Stadium.

Now Cincinnati is hoping to avoid an 0-4 start – something that would likely end the team's playoff hopes before they can even claim victory. Of the 155 teams that have started 0-4 since the merger, only one team, the 1992 Chargers, has made the playoffs, according to the Associated Press.

Cincinnati is dealing with Trent Brown, who was sidelined last week with a season-ending knee injury that required surgery. The Bengals are also without defensive linemen Sheldon Rankins and BJ Hill due to hamstring injuries.

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