The Associated Press

Artrell Hawkins celebrates his 102-yard interception return. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

HOUSTON - Coach Dick LeBeau had guaranteed victory for the Bengals and Artrell Hawkins and Jon Kitna sealed it.

Energized by a 102-yard interception return by Hawkins and four touchdown passes by Jon Kitna, the Bengals became the last NFL team to get a victory this season, winning 38-3 Sunday over the expansion Houston Texans.

It was Cincinnati's biggest victory margin since beating the Houston Oilers 61-7 in 1989.

"I didn't know my powers of clairvoyance were so omnipotent," LeBeau said afterward. "I just wanted them (Bengals) to know I was proud of them and I believed that.

"That guarantee got misconstrued. Someone asked me if I could beat (Texans) Coach (Dom) Capers in golf and I said, 'Yes, I guarantee I can beat Coach Capers in golf.' "

"It feels good, but everyone misinterpreted the guarantee thing," said receiver Chad Johnson, who had also publicly predicted a victory. "I didn't mean any disrespect to the Texans. What I wanted to do was add fuel to our fire, make a statement."

Jon Kitna passed for 263 yards and four TD's. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

Hawkins made his statement in the first quarter. His run tied the longest play in Cincinnati history and put the 1-7 Bengals ahead for good.

"All it was was a quick out route," Hawkins said. "I got a good break on it and the rest is history."

David Carr's string of 97 straight passes without an interception came to an end in dramatic fashion. Hawkins stepped in front of a pass for Jabar Gaffney in the end zone and bolted down the sideline with a clear field ahead of him.

After appearing to step out of bounds at the Houston 24, he cut back inside and his only pursuer was Carr. The quarterback made a diving tackle attempt near the goal line before falling in Hawkins' wake.

"Tony Boselli (an offensive lineman) caught me four years ago," Hawkins said. "I couldn't let this quarterback catch me. I ran out of gas about 30 yards out."

Referee Larry Nemmers said instant replay was inconclusive, rejecting a Texans challenge.

"Embarrassing is one thought that comes to mind," Carr said. "It seemed like we went out and warmed up and turned around and it was 38-3. I'll have to watch film. It's tough to swallow right now."

Peter Warrick outruns Texans defender Matt Stevens to the end zone. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

Louis Breeden had a 102-yard interception return for a touchdown Nov. 8, 1981 at San Diego. Eric Bieniemy returned a kickoff 102 yards for a touchdown against the New York Giants on Oct. 26, 1997.

Hawkins' return gave the Bengals a 10-3 lead and Kitna didn't waste the momentum.

He found Michael Westbrook for a 26-yard touchdown in the second quarter and passed 33 yards to Peter Warrick with 42 seconds left in the half for a 24-3 halftime lead.

The score 4 was tied 3-3 before Hawkins' theft. Kris Brown kicked a 23-yard field goal for Houston after the Bengals committed three penalties totaling 50 yards. Neil Rackers matched it with a 25-yarder.

Kitna made his fourth straight start and completed 13 of 15 passes in the first half, 22 of 27 overall for 263 yards. He was not intercepted.

Michael Westbrook catches a pass against Jamie Sharper before running for a TD. (AP photo) | ZOOM |

Kitna's fourth TD pass went for 10 yards to Johnson, sealing Cincinnati's victory pledge.

The 2-6 Texans were coming off their first road victory at Jacksonville and were favored by three points.

"We had our best practice Friday so I was fooled," Capers said. "I thought going on the field we'd play well, but we didn't. We have to find out why it happened and make sure it doesn't happen again."

Carr completed 18 of 32 passes for 199 yards. His second interception set up Johnson's satisfying touchdown catch in the fourth quarter, completing a run of 38 straight points.

It was the Texans' worst defeat in their eight-game history.

Notes: Cincinnati is 6-0 against expansion teams. ... Corey Dillon owns seven of the top 10 individual game rushing records in Bengals history. ... Cincinnati's last non-losing season was an 8-8 finish in 1996. ... Houston's field goal to end the first drive of the game marked the third time this season the Texans scored on their first drive.

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