Last week, the Cincinnati Bengals won their first playoff game in 31 years against the Las Vegas Raiders. On Saturday, the young underdog team faced off against the Tennessee Titans. Derrick Henry made his return to the field with a foot full of metal plates. Could he carry his team to the AFC Championship game in his return? Read our three takeaways from this incredible AFC matchup.
Evan McPherson Has Become Cincinnati Royalty
Bengals rookie kicker Evan McPherson had another incredible showing after scoring 14 of Cincy’s 26 points last weekend. On Saturday, McPherson furthered his name into the Bengals lore of this season with a four field goal game, and one extra point for a total of 13 points. The rookie made a long of 54 yards, and also came away with the game winning field goal.
With the pressure on and on a huge playoff stage the young kicker took the field to attempt a 52 yarder. However, he came in with full confidence, and was later revealed he literally called his shot before the kick.
“He [McPherson] gave a little warmup swing and he said, ‘Ahh, looks like we’re going to the AFC championship,'” Burrow said after the game.
While Cincinnati would surely like to finish more drives with touchdown, they are getting a lift from their young kicker, Evan McPherson.
Joe Freaking Cool
Joe Burrows is sick of the underdog storyline for the Bengals, and the team once again announced themselves to the league as a team to watch out for.
“I’m tired of the underdog narrative,” Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow said after the game. “We’re a really, really good team. We’re here to make noise.”
Most impressive in their win that helped stamp their tickets to the AFC Championship was the performance of Joe Burrow. The young quarterback was sacked nine times, and was still able to lead his team to a victory. Burrow threw for 348 yards in the win, and again made some incredibly impressive throws. When the defense came away with an interception with time ticking down, Burrows completed a perfect pass near the sideline to star receiver Ja’Marr Chase.
Bengals Derrick Henry Stopping Defense
In the return of Derrick Henry, the Cincinnati Bengals’ defense had a fantastic showing. Although Henry was running with metal plates in his foot, the defense holding him to 62 yards on 20 attempts should be applauded. Aside from a few big throws from Ryan Tannehill, the Bengal D held him to 220 yards. The Bengals defensive unit led the game in forcing turnovers by having three interceptions on the game.
As the clock ticked down with the game on the line, the defense came up with a huge fourth quarter interception. With under thirty seconds remaining, Tannehill dropped back to pass and threw a ball that was tipped by Eli Apple and ultimately intercepted by Logan Wilson. This pick is what put the Bengals in a position to get this big time win.
Cincinnati will face off next week against the winner of the Kansas City Chiefs and Buffalo Bills in the AFC Championship game.
