of the Bengals' 16–7 win against the Cleveland Browns in Week 12 due to a knee injury. On December 7, 2009, it was reported Peko had undergone arthroscopic surgery on his knee and he was inactive for the last five games of the season (Weeks 13–17). He finished the 2009 NFL season with 23 combined tackles (12 solo) and a pass deflection in 11 games and 11 starts. The Cincinnati Bengals finished first in the AFC North with a 10–6 record in 2009. On January 9, 2010, Peko started in his first career playoff game and recorded four combined tackles in their 24–14 loss to the New York Jets in the AFC Wildcard Game. 2010 Head coach Marvin Lewis named Peko the starting nose tackle in 2010, alongside defensive ends Antwan Odom and Robert Geathers. On November 25, 2010, Peko collected a season-high seven combined tackles and broke up a pass in the Bengals' 26–10 loss at the New York Jets in Week 12. Peko started in all 16 games in 2010 and recorded 42 combined tackles (24 solo), one pass deflection, and was credited with half a sack. 2011 Head coach Marvin Lewis named Peko a starting nose tackle to start the regular season in 2011. He started alongside defensive ends Michael Johnson and Robert Geathers. In Week 3, Peko collected a season-high eight combined tackles in the Bengals' 13–8 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. He started in all 16 games in 2011 and recorded 66 combined tackles (34 solo), 2.5 sacks, one forced fumble, and a fumble recovery. The Cincinnati Bengals finished third in the AFC North with a 9–7 record and earned a wild card berth in 2011. On January 7, 2012, Peko recorded four solo tackles in the Bengals' 31–10 loss at the Houston Texans in the AFC Wildcard Game. 2012 Peko retained his job as the starting nose tackle in 2012. In Week 6, he collected a season-high six combined tackles and broke up a pass in the Bengals' 34–24 loss at the Cleveland Browns. On December 30, 2012, Peko tied his season-high of six combined tackles during a 23–17 win against the Baltimore Ravens in Week 17. He started in all 16 games and recorded 53 combined tackles (23 solo), three pass deflections, two sacks, and a fumble recovery. The Cincinnati Bengals earned a wildcard berth with a 10–6 record in 2012. The