Today in Bengals history

Oct. 26, 1969

Kansas City Chiefs 42, Cincinnati Bengals 22 at Municipal Stadium. In their second year of existence, the fledgling Bengals set a franchise record that may never be broken. The Chiefs rushed for 313 yards — the most ever allowed in Bengals history — in a blowout victory. Making the performance more painful for Cincinnati was the fact that the Chiefs were led by former Bengals draft pick Warren McVea.

The Bengals’ fourth-round pick the year before, McVea carried 17 times for 141 yards, including an 80-yard touchdown, in what would stand as the best game of his six-year career.

The 80-yard run also had a place in Bengals lore as it still stands as the third longest allowed in club history.

Mike Garrett added 96 yards on 12 carries, and Robert Holmes rushed 12 times for 61 yards as Kansas City averaged 6.3 yards per carry for the game.

Oct. 26, 1975 – Cincinnati Bengals 21, Atlanta Falcons 14 at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium. Ken Anderson ran for a 3-yard touchdown with 2:04 remaining to lift the Bengals to the win and keep them unbeaten at 6-0. The Cincinnati defense forced seven turnovers in the game, including a 30-yard interception return for a touchdown by Ken Riley. Bernard Jackson added two interceptions and recovered a pair of fumbles.

Oct. 26, 1980 – Houston Oilers 23, Cincinnati Bengals 3 at the Astrodome. Houston running back Earl Campbell showed off his Hall of Fame form by flattening the Bengals for 202 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The 202 yards still rank as the third most ever allowed by Cincinnati. Campbell had TD runs of 55 and 4 yards one week after running for a career-high 203 yards against Tampa Bay.

Oct. 26, 1986 – Pittsburgh Steelers 30, Cincinnati Bengals 9 at Three Rivers Stadium. Earnest Jackson ran for 132 yards, and Walter Abercrombie rushed for 109 as Pittsburgh scored an easy win despite being outgained by the Bengals 371-332. Boomer Esiason threw for 259 yards and completed passes to nine different receivers.

Oct. 26, 1997 – New York Giants 29, Cincinnati Bengals 27 at The Meadowlands. It was a record-setting day for Eric Bienemy but a losing one for the Bengals, who blew an 11-point lead in the second half and came up short on a two-point conversion try that would have tied the game with 1:31 to go. Bienemy had a 102-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that still stands as the longest kick return in Bengals history. He had 201 kick return yards for the game, which also is a Bengals record.

Oct. 26, 2003 – Cincinnati Bengals 27, Seattle Seahawks 24 at Paul Brown Stadium. Jon Kitna's 53-yard touchdown pass to Chad Johnson with 8:03 left in the game lifted the Bengals to the win. Kitna, who played in Seattle for four seasons before coming to the Bengals, also threw a touchdown pass to Kelley Washington, while Rudi Johnson ran for 101 yards and a TD to give first-year head coach Marvin Lewis his first two-game winning streak. Matt Hasselbeck threw for 344 yards and three touchdowns, but he also threw three picks.

Oct. 26, 2008 – Houston Texans 35, Cincinnati Bengals 6 at Reliant Stadium. This was supposed to be the Bengals bye week, but when Hurricane Ike damaged the Reliant Stadium roof in September, the game was pushed back to Oct. 26. The Bengals played like they were on a bye, surrendering 384 yards of offense while allowing the Texans to convert 10 of 13 third downs. Andre Johnson caught 11 passes for 143 yards and a touchdown as Houston quarterback Matt Schaub threw for 280 yards and three scores.

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