Scott Mitchell (right) celebrates a TD with Corey Dillon and Brandon Bennett, (Steven M. Herppich photo) | ZOOM |

        On a day of spectacular offensive plays, quarterback Scott Mitchell may have had the stunner of them all.

        The 6-foot-6 Mitchell, whose lack of speed is no secret, fooled Denver in a key situation with 3:20 left in the game and the Bengals clinging to a 24-21 lead.

        With the Bengals facing third-and-8 at their own 33-yard line, Mitchell ran a naked bootleg to his right. He went 9 yards for a first down, preserving the drive that led to Dillon's clinching TD.

        “I'm sure they weren't expecting me to run on third down,” Mitchell said.

        Neither was anyone else. Offensive coordinator Ken Anderson called the play; Mitchell said his role was to tell only the running back and the receiver he was running toward.

        “That was probably the best play,” left tackle John Jackson said. “Even the ref said that was a good play. They (Denver) were so shocked. He didn't tell us he was going to keep it. If he had told us, we probably would have blocked it different and screwed it up.”

        TAKE A BOW: The Bengals offensive line was happily surprised to be part of the best individual rushing game in NFL history.

        “I'm happy about that, but the record probably won't hit me until the end of the season,” right tackle Willie Anderson said.

        Anderson said the Bengals made some adjustments up front. Denver, like many teams, was putting eight men “in the box” up front to stuff Dillon, daring the Bengals to beat them with their passing game.

        “This week, we put guys on those (defensive) guys,” Anderson said, referring to the blocking schemes. “I credit (offensive coaches) Kenny Anderson, Paul Alexander and Jim Anderson for that. Teams that win every week, they adjust on the move like that.”

        AKILI UPDATE: Bengals quarterback Akili Smith left the game in the third quarter after being sacked and suffering pinched nerves in his neck. He underwent X-rays to rule out a concussion, but when symptoms of dizziness didn't clear up, didn't return to the game.

        Smith is expected to start Sunday's game in Cleveland.

        RECORD BOOK: The Bengals set or challenged several team records Sunday, along with Dillon's NFL record 278 yards rushing and the 407 team yards rushing. Also notable:

        • Dillon's runs included bursts of 77 and 65 yards, the first time the Bengals have had two runs of 60-plus yards in one game. The previous best combination was a 58-yard run by Stanley Wilson and a 56-yarder by James Brooks vs. New England on Dec.7, 1986.

        • The Bengals' two pass completions tied the team low set Nov.30, 1969, in a 16-13 loss at Buffalo. That day, Bengals quarterback Greg Cook went 2-for-7 for only 26 yards, but he had a good excuse: The game was played in a snow storm.

        • The Bengals' 34 gross yards passing marked the fifth lowest in team history. (Worst: 10 yards vs. San Diego on Oct.4, 1987, in a strike replacement game).

        • The Bengals' 14 net yards passing was fourth lowest in team history. (Worst: minus-52 yards at Houston on Oct. 31, 1971).

        SAD BUT TRUE: The Broncos (4-4) figure to take plenty of heat in Denver, and the nation, for losing to the lowly Bengals.

        Not to mention Dillon's record 278-yard day.

        Coach Mike Shanahan told Denver reporters last week the Bengals were better than their record, but Shanahan certainly didn't expect this. Not against his second-ranked NFL rushing defense.

        “When you have a guy that sets an NFL record, I would say it is an embarrassing day,” Shanahan said.

        LONG TIME: The Bengals had not beaten Denver since 1981, Cincinnati's first Super Bowl season.

        QUARTER OF A MILLION: The Bengals sold 61,603 tickets for the Denver game and have sold 250,550 in four games at Paul Brown Stadium.

        Only one game was a sellout, but the Bengals have sold more than 61,000 tickets for each game, and the crowds are the four largest in team history.

        3,000 HITS: Tremain Mack had 71 of kickoff return yards, giving him 3,112 yards for his career.

        ANOTHER CHANGE: Strong safety Chris Carter made his first start with the Bengals on Sunday in place of Cory Hall. Carter had six tackles, an interception and a fumble recovery against Denver.

        LONG DISTANCE: Punter Daniel Pope punted five times for 233 yards, a 46.6 yard average, Sunday. He had a long of 57 and only one touchback.

        Pope dropped three punts inside the 20-yard line, helping the Bengals win the field-position battle.

        Cincinnati started its drives on the 32-yard line. Denver's average start was its own 25-yard line.

        INJURY REPORT: Defensive tackle Oliver Gibson was given IV fluids and did return. Safety JoJuan Armour is questionable for the Browns with a toe injury. Linebacker Brian Simmons and center Rick Braham are out; both have had knee surgery.

Record-Breaking Day! Gallery of 20 photos Dillon runs 'til they drop Dillon does his heroes one better Warrick relieved to win again Defense does its part Mitchell's play: run and stun Bengals favored to beat Browns Fans: 'It's about time' Bengals-Broncos Statistics

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