For the first time in over 30 years, the Cincinnati Bengals have won a playoff game, earning a trip to the divisional round for the first time since 1990.
The drought is over. No more talk of 1990 for the Cincinnati Bengals, who have won their first playoff game in the 21st century.
Germaine Pratt‘s interception with seconds to go sealed a 26-19 victory over the Las Vegas Raiders and sent the Jungle into a jumping mood. Vegas is heading home, and Cincinnati is running on.
It’s been a long time coming for the men in the stripes, but this season felt different, at least when you look at the personnel. The group had the makings of a playoff team, but doubts crept in, mainly because of the division they played in.
In the end, outside noise is just air, sometimes louder than appreciated. But tell that to Bengals QB Joe Burrow, who went 24 of 34 for 244 yards and two TD passes. One may have been a bit controversial, but whether it was legal or not through NFL rules and the social media world, it was still a good throw.
On the other hand, Raiders quarterback Derek Carr wasn’t all too bad, going 29 of 54 passes for 310 yards and a touchdown, but there was the early turnover on the strip-sack and the final nail in the proverbial coffin through the interception.
The Cincinnati Bengals are a legitimate force to be reckoned with this postseason
These aren’t your mom and pop’s Bengals. This is a new team and a new vibe in the Jungle. The Bare Necessities of just winning in the postseason are making the fans of stripes forget about their worries and their strife. However, it’s not over just yet.
As was shown throughout the game, the Bengals’ defense, while certainly aggressive, allowed the Raiders to pull close several times. Moreover, continuously settling for field goals instead of going for touchdowns may have worked this time. Still, given the remainder of the competition within the postseason, that strategy and result may not prove to be so fortunate.
For one night, though, the 20th century has been forgotten. Cincinnati has won a playoff game. The divisional round is next up. It’s now a waiting game, not for the draft and offseason, but who they will play in their next postseason game. Who dey? They dey. They are the Cincinnati Bengals, moving on in the playoffs.