WATCH: Bengals celebrate game-winning field goal, kick was no good
The Cincinnati Bengals believed they had won the game on an overtime field goal, celebrating on the field before realizing it was no good. The kick appeared to be good from 49 yards, and Bengals kicker Evan McPherson started celebrating with his teammates without realizing it broke left at the last second.
Bengals celebrate no-good field goal
Adding a new level of kicking struggles to a game defined by poor kicking down the stretch, McPherson was stunned to realize his kick barely missed. The 49-yard attempt went just wide of the goalpost, actually hitting the flag on the top of the goalpost.
From the fourth quarter into overtime, the Bengals and the Green Bay Packers combined for five consecutive missed field goals. The fifth was a heartbreaker to the Bengals as they believed it was a game-winner.
Following the miss, Green Bay drove down the short field and secured their own game-winning attempt. Despite having missed three field goals in a row, Mason Crosby delivered the game winner from 49 yards himself. The Bengals fell to Green Bay 25-22.
Aaron Rodgers faith in Crosby
Despite his struggles against the Bengals, Crosby has already earned the respect and faith of quarterback Aaron Rodgers. After winning against the San Francisco 49ers two weeks ago with a memorable game-winning drive and field goal, Rodgers explained that “he knew” Crosby would make the kick to win the game.
“He’s going to make it. That’s what he’s done his entire career. He’s made a bunch of big kicks for us. I love him to death. We’ve been playing together for 15 years, sitting next to each other every bus ride, every plane ride. He’s an incredible guy. And he’s so clutch,” Rodgers told NBC Sports’ Michele Tafoya about Crosby’s game-winning 51-yard field goal.
Rodgers’ faith in his special teams unit was evident on the field during that game. After completing the hurry-up drive and getting Crosby into range to win it, Rodgers spiked the ball to stop the clock and could be seen leaving the field while pumping his fist before the kicking unit was even on the field.