A Cincinnati native, Sam Hubbard grew up a diehard Bengals fan. On Sunday night, with the Bengals’ AFC title defense facing a huge threat, the hometown kid authored the game-winning play that will go down in both Cincinnati and NFL postseason lore.
With the score tied in the fourth quarter of the Bengals’ Super Wild Card Weekend showdown with Baltimore, Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson jarred the ball loose from Ravens quarterback Tyler Huntley’s grasp just short of Cincinnati’s goal line. The loose ball was scooped up by Hubbard, whose 98-yard return — the longest fumble return for a touchdown in playoff history — served as the winning score in the Bengals’ 24-17 win.
Cincinnati then clinched its third win this season over Baltimore when the Bengals defense batted away Huntley’s Hail Mary throw in the end zone on the final play.
Dominated in the game’s opening quarter, Baltimore clawed back to take a 10-9 halftime lead. Baltimore responded to Ja’Marr Chase’s 7-yard touchdown catch early in the second quarter with a 17-play drive that was capped off by J.K. Dobbins’ 2-yard touchdown catch. They took their first lead after Kyle Hamilton’s forced fumble of Hayden Hurst set up Justin Tucker’s field goal just before halftime.
The two teams traded scores in the third quarter before Hubbard provided the game-winning score. Cincinnati will now travel to Buffalo for next week’s AFC divisional round showdown.
We’ll have a full breakdown shortly, but in the meantime, check out our live blog below to relive tonight’s action in real time.
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