By Mark Curnutte and Kevin Kelly
Enquirer staff writers

The Bengals defense was almost as dominating as the offense in the first half of Cincinnati's 31-3 exhibition victory over the New England Patriots on Saturday night.

PHOTO GALLERY

Photos of Saturday's game

The defense held New England to just three points and limited the offense to 122 yards and just 10 yards rushing.

The Bengals, who led 28-3, held the Patriots to 1-for-5 on third down and sacked Tom Brady twice.

Defensive end Duane Clemons had both sacks for 14 total yards, one forced fumble and three total tackles.

Brady was 8-for-13 passing for 126 yards and one interception, which was tipped by strong safety Rogers Beckett and intercepted by free safety Kevin Kaesviharn.

The two sacks were two more than what the defense had at Tampa Bay on Monday, a 20-6 loss.

"That 'criticism' wasn't on our mind at all," Clemons said. "We don't pay attention to things like that because people don't always know what they're talking about. We know we have experienced pass rushers who know how to beat their man."

CHAD'S NIGHT: Wide receiver Chad Johnson had 62 receiving yards on three receptions against the Patriots in the first half. He had a long of 48.

"We're giving the fans what they want to see, and this is the way it's going to be all year," Johnson said of the offense's 28-point outburst in the first two quarters.

FIRST START: Rookie defensive back Madieu Williams started at cornerback in place of the injured Deltha O'Neal (thigh, ankle).

Williams, who started all 27 games at free safety in his two seasons at Maryland, broke up one pass and had a special team's tackles in the first half Saturday.

KICKING GAME: Rookie Kyle Larson handled punting and holding chores in the first half.

Larson punted twice for an average of 41 yards, but bobbled a hold on the Bengals' first point-after attempt. Place kicker Shayne Graham did convert the kick.

OUT: Four offensive starters did not play because of injury: tight end Reggie Kelly (thumb), wide receiver Peter Warrick (knee), fullback Jeremi Johnson (groin) and guard Eric Steinbach (elbow).

The starters were tight end Tony Stewart, wide receiver Kelley Washington, fullback James Lynch and left guard Larry Moore.

NEW GROUND: The Bengals played their first game on the FieldTurf that was installed in the offseason at Paul Brown Stadium.

The Bengals are the seventh NFL team to play on the specific brand of long-blade artificial turf.

BIG BLUE: Former Hamilton High School star Andy Mignery, a rookie free agent tight end, did not dress for New England.

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