CINCINNATI — Despite the fact that quarterback Andy Dalton was vomiting repeatedly before the game and throwing up ugly passes during it, Cincinnati Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said he never considered benching his flu-ridden starter during a 14-13 win over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday.

Dalton threw three interceptions in the first half, but the Bengals trailed just 10-7.

“We were where we were in the football game. We had lived it,” Lewis said Monday. “They got one field goal off of the three turnovers. We were in the football game. I was hopeful that he would continue to come around and feel better, and he did.”

Lewis’ faith was rewarded as Dalton played much better in the second half, completing 12 of 16 passes for 114 yards, including a winning 13-yard touchdown pass to A.J. Green.

Asked what he did to get Dalton going in the second half, offensive coordinator Hue Jackson said, “That’s between me and Andy.”

But he added, “You’ve got to play. I was sick. I’ve been sick. I didn’t feel good, either. That’s the nature of this business. You check in for work. I understand guys are sick. But if you’re upright and standing …

“Kudos to him. He went out there and gave it a shot and in the end he got it done with his teammates, and I think that’s the most important part of it. That’s just one of the hazards of our business. You’re going to be sick someday. I can’t tell you how many days I’ve missed of work. And just like I would hope he would say there’s not many days he’s missed of playing quarterback in the National Football League. You find a way to get it done.”