When the Cincinnati Bengals roared out of the locker room to start the second half of Sunday’s game, it seemed they were on their way to their very first Super Bowl victory in franchise history. And why not? Trailing 13-10 at the half, Cincinnati scored 10 points in just 22 seconds to start the third quarter to claim their first lead of the game.
Kupp makes the winning catch.
Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
With the Rams’ ace receiver, Odell Beckham Jr., out with a knee injury and LA unable to run the ball on the Bengals, it looked as if the Rams were doomed. Zac Taylor’s Bengals were headed to their first-ever Super Bowl victory. And as for Bengals’ young QB sensation, Joe Burrow, he would be the first player in NFL history to complete the trifecta: win a national championship in college, be a Heisman winner and win a Super Bowl ring.
But something happened on the way to the Bengals’ coronation. Evan McPherson’s early third-quarter 38-yard field goal put the Bengals up 20-13, but that would be the Bengals’ last score of the game.
And there was nearly a full half of football yet to be played.
What earned the win for the Rams was an incredible 79-yard, 15-play drive that ended with a Cooper Kupp TD with only 85 seconds to go in regulation. That TD put the Rams up 23-20.
Perhaps the play of the game for the Rams was when head coach Sean McVay decided to go for it on 4th and one at the Rams’ own 30 yard line. Not making the first down would mean a certain win for the Bengals. Fail to pick up the first down and McVay might be driving a cab in Anaheim next year. But the Rams ran an end around using the game’s MVP, Cooper Kupp, to pick up the first down.
When the Rams got in close to the Bengals’ goal line, they tried to run some clock and force Cincinnati to burn one of its timeouts. But the Rams still managed to leave 85 seconds for Joe Burrow to work his magic.
Anyone who has followed the NFL playoff games this season remembers only too well what the Chiefs did to the Bills at home last month. Patrick Mahomes with only 13 seconds to go in regulation led his team down field at home to kick a tying field goal that sent the game into OT where KC eventually won the game. And the Bengals had the luxury of 85 seconds to accomplish the same goal.
Burrow started the drive with a couple of long completions that put the Bengals near midfield. Moments later, it was fourth and one for the Bengals with the game on the line. Make the first down and the Cincinnati keeps their SB dreams alive. Fail to get a first down, and well, game over.
It was Burrow vs the Rams’ Aaron Darnold. Great players make great plays in great moments. With everything on the line, it was Darnold who made the big play.
Most Husker fans were probably rooting for Cincinnati. Why? Because the Bengals had a Husker flavor to their team. Zac Taylor, former Husker QB and 2006 Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year, is the Bengals’ head coach. And former Husker wide receiver Stanley Morgan Jr. played on the Bengals’ special teams. Former Husker offensive coordinator Troy Walters, who parted ways with Nebraska after the 2019 season, is the Bengals’ wide receivers coach. (In 2020, the vacant OC position was offered to former Husker QB Mickey Joseph, who decided to remain as LSU’s WR coach.)
“How ’Bout Them Huskers” goes international!
Thanks to all of you who have been downloading our new series of podcasts about the world of Husker sports. The podcasts are the brainchild of my 16-year-old grandson, Will. He reports that people from all parts of the country are listening in. He added that our podcasts are downloaded even in Europe! Thanks to all you listeners! Be sure to catch our latest podcast. It’s available on Audible, Amazon Music and Spotify. Thanks for listening and GBR!
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