The Bengals improved to 9–7 in the 2011 season, and clinched a playoff spot. Dalton and Green became the most prolific rookie WR-QB duo in history, connecting 65 times for 1,057 yards. However, they lost to the Houston Texans, 31–10, in the Wild Card round. In the 2012 season, the Bengals clinched a playoff spot once more with a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers, going to the playoffs in back-to-back years for the first time since 1982. However, the Bengals faced the Texans in the first round yet again and took another early exit, losing 19–13.
The Bengals improved to 9–7 in the 2011 season and clinched a playoff spot Dalton and Green became the most prolific rookie WR-QB duo in history connecting 65 times for 1057 yards However they lost to the Houston Texans 31–10 in the Wild Card round In the 2012 season the Bengals clinched a playoff spot once more with a win over the Pittsburgh Steelers going to the playoffs in back-to-back years for the first time since 1982 However the Bengals faced the Texans in the first round yet again and took another early exit losing 19–13