CINCINNATI, Oct. 2 (UPI) -- Carson Palmer threw for 276 yards and a touchdown Sunday to guide the Cincinnati Bengals to a 16-10 victory over the Houston Texans.
Palmer was 25-of-34 passing -- hitting T.J. Houshmandzadeh for 105 yards on eight receptions -- Rudi Johnson carried the ball 19 times for 88 yards and Shayne Graham added three field goals for the Bengals.
David Carr was 17-of-26 for 174 yards and a score and Domanick Davis had 81 yards rushing in the loss for the Texans.
Cincinnati drove 84 yards on its first possession but had a touchdown nullified due to an illegal formation and had to settle for a 24-yard field goal. On the ensuing possession, Houston drove 54 yards in 12 plays to tie the score with a Kris Brown 28-yard field goal.
The Bengals regained the lead after Palmer hit Jeremi Johnson on a 1-yard touchdown pass with 1:09 remaining in the second quarter to cap a 9-play, 85-yard drive.
Houston drove for the game-tying score in the third quarter after Carr led the Texans on a 10-play, 90-yard drive culminating with a 4-yard pass to Moran Norris for his first career touchdown.
The Bengals defense stiffened and Graham kicked 27- and 46-yard field goals in the fourth period to complete the scoring.
