The Cincinnati Bengals have made a statement against the high-powered Tennessee Titans with a huge win in Week 14 of their 2018 AFC Wildcard game. Here is what you need to know before the big game on Saturday.
The Cincinnati Bengals have surged into the AFC Championship Game after a statement win over the Tennessee Titans. The Bengals are looking to make their second consecutive appearance in the Super Bowl and will need a victory over either the New England Patriots or Pittsburgh Steelers to do so.
NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE – Following their thrilling playoff victory against the Tennessee Titans on Saturday, the Cincinnati Bengals wanted to send a statement. They’re no longer the underdogs.
With a 19-16 win against the top-seeded Titans, Cincinnati sent a strong message to the rest of the league. The Bengals advanced to their first AFC Championship Game since 1988 thanks to rookie Evan McPherson’s 52-yard field goal as time expired.
“Why not us?” has been a familiar refrain for this season’s Bengals squad during their finest playoff run in more than 30 years. Cincinnati wants it to be phased out. Immediately.
After the loss, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow stated, “I’m weary of the underdog story.” “We’re a fantastic group of people. We’ve come to raise a ruckus.”
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With an incredible finish, the Bengals made history by becoming the first team in club history to win a playoff game on the road. After scoring 10 consecutive points in the second half to tie the game at 16, the Titans were driving down the field in the closing minute when Cincinnati turned the game around.
With 20 seconds remained on the clock, Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson intercepted a ball from Tennessee quarterback Ryan Tannehill that was swatted into the air by Cincinnati cornerback Eli Apple. A few plays later, McPherson kicked his fourth field goal of the game, securing a berth in the championship game against the winner of the AFC divisional matchup between the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills on Sunday.
After the game, Burrow remarked, “He [McPherson] threw a little warmup swing and he said, ‘Ahh, looks like we’re going to the AFC championship.”
The statement Cincinnati’s captains gave in the team meeting the night before the game summed up their confidence. Burrow and the other captains made it plain that the underdog narrative that enveloped one of the NFL’s most failed organizations was no longer something they wanted linked with the squad.
Wilson said, “That’s just sort of what he taught to everyone.” “Because he is our leader, everyone will believe anything he says. He’s a life or death situation for us.”
The Bengals prevailed despite Cincinnati’s best efforts to avoid making history. Burrow was sacked nine times, tying for the most in a Super Bowl era playoff game. Three interceptions, including Wilson’s game-winning pick, helped overcome Cincinnati’s offensive problems.
Bengals coach Zac Taylor said, “This is the expectation for this squad.” “This isn’t a huge deal for these individuals. Even if we haven’t been here before, it seems like we have. You can simply tell by this team’s attitude and confidence that we’re going to find a way to win.”
D.J. Reader, a Bengals defensive lineman, claimed the club has been disrespected by the media throughout the season, including doubts about the team’s ability to stop Titans running back Derrick Henry on Saturday. Henry recorded 20 carries for 62 yards in his first game after missing the last nine games of the season due to a foot ailment.
Tennessee’s first score of the game was followed by a missed 2-point convert.
“Execute you want someone to mistrust your ability to do your job as a journalist?” After the game, a reader remarked. “No. It’s inconsiderate. You must go out and seize the opportunity. You must, nevertheless, gain respect.”
Reader peeked his head in the door as Wilson concluded up his own press conference before meeting with media after the victory.
Wilson asked Reader what the new slogan would be now that the team’s “Why not us?” tag had been completed. “It is us,” the reader responded immediately.
A few minutes later, Reader said: “We have faith in ourselves. We have the impression that we are them. We’re the ones in charge. Every game, we go out there feeling cocky, as if we’re the ones who need to be beaten.”
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