Maybe, just maybe, these young Cincinnati Bengals really are that good.
Especially with the way they keep ending postseason droughts. And with their latest victory putting them in the franchise’s first AFC championship game in 33 years — and a win away from the Super Bowl.
Rookie Evan McPherson kicked a 52-yard field goal as time expired, lifting the fourth-seeded Bengals past the top-seeded Tennessee Titans 19-16 on Saturday to end the NFL’s longest active road playoff skid.
A week after snapping a 31-year playoff victory drought, the Bengals (12-7) finally won their first road game in the postseason after losing their first seven. They reached the 1981 and 1988 Super Bowls by winning on their home field.
Cincinnati Bengals past the top-seeded Tennessee Titans 19-16, Top 10 Best Stats, Facts, Records..
A week after snapping a 31-year playoff victory drought,
1 - The Bengals (12-7) finally won their first road game in the postseason after losing their first seven. They reached the 1981 and 1988 Super Bowls by winning on their home field.
2 - McPherson became the first player in NFL history to make four-plus FGs in multiple games in a single postseason.
3 - Joe Burrow threw for 348 yards to become the first quarterback drafted No. 1 overall to win a divisional game within his first two seasons.
4 - Ja'Marr Chase generated five catches for 109 yards, of which 95 came after the catch. His first four catches went for -1 air yards, -2 air yards, 0 air yards, and 0 air yards. His only catch beyond the line of scrimmage was the final reception which went for 17 air yards to set up the game-winning field goal.
5 - The Titans (12-6) wrapped up their 25th season in Tennessee with their third straight loss on their own field as the AFC’s No. 1 seed.
6 - Tennessee Titans haven’t won at home since January 2003 in the postseason.
7 - Burrow became only the second quarterback to win an NFL playoff game despite being sacked nine times, joining Len Dawson who beat Buffalo for the 1966 AFL championship.
8 - Burrow was only the third quarterback to be sacked at least five times in the first half of a playoff game since 1991.
9 - McPherson converted for his 11th field goal from 50 yards or longer, the most in a season for one player.
10 - McPherson also became the first kicker in NFL history with at least four or more field goals in multiple games in a single postseason.
What's Next for Bengals and Titans.
Bengals: Will wait to see if they’re playing in Kansas City or Buffalo next Sunday.
Titans: Step into the offseason looking for further tweaks to get back to the AFC championship game.
___________
More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl
cbssports.com
nfl.com
0 Comments