Mike Nugent hasn't attempted many field goals this season – Andy Dalton's totally believable transformation from "scrub who everyone booed at the MLB All-Star Game" to "QB super god" has something to do with it.
He only tried five field goals on the season prior to Sunday's game against Seattle and hadn't hit one since week two against San Diego. When called upon in the clutch, though, Nugent can still deliver.
Down three with 2:17 remaining, Dalton marched Cincinnati down the field. Same old Bengals, right? He throws a crippling interception on the game's final drive? Well, not exactly.
We all assumed Dalton bungled the game when he slid in bounds after scrambling with under 30 seconds left and no timeouts. The field goal team made it out in time, though, giving Nugent an opportunity to hit from 31-yards out. He promptly made that game-tying field goal and sent the game into overtime.
Dalton, suddenly booming with confidence, then told Nugent, "You're gonna win it for us." Three punts later, the Bengals took over at their own 43 yard line. A pass to Tyler Eifert and several Gio Bernard runs set up this attempt to win it:
Just Mike Nugent, winning football games. #NUUUUUUUUUUUGE pic.twitter.com/5HqLQ3Lkh0
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 11, 2015
Now the Bengals are 5-0, leading the AFC North by three games and don't look like they'll be unceremoniously bounced from the playoffs. Something supernatural must be at work – or just science:
Today's @Bengals winning OT field goal was likely enabled by a 1/3-in deflection to the right, caused by Earths Rotation.
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) October 11, 2015
In the N. Hemisphere, Earths Coriolis force deflects airborne north-south projectiles to the right. About 1/2-in per 50 yds.
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) October 11, 2015
The @Bengals stadium isnt oriented exactly North-South. And the field goal was 42-yds. Yielding a 1/3-in deflection, not 1/2
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) October 11, 2015
Herron, Smith Debut
Rod Smith suffered a personal setback a year ago after being dismissed by Ohio State. It didn't hurt the pursuit of his professional dream, however.
If injuries rob the public of living legend Marshawn Lynch, at least a Buckeye can temporarily step in for him. Lynch should return from his hamstring strain for their week six game so Smith – promoted last week from the Seahawks' practice squad – might not stick in Seattle. Still, he was able to make his NFL debut in Cincinnati and carried the ball twice for five yards.
Meanwhile, former teammate Boom Herron signed with the Bills, Tuesday. The Colts, in a surprising move considering their lack of depth at the position, cut him prior to the season and Herron bided his time until the right opportunity arose. Running a familiar scheme and with the Bills in need of a back after injuries to LeSean McCoy and Karlos Williams, he found the right fit.
Herron led Buffalo with nine carries and only ran for 28 yards against Tennessee. Still, he believes he can give their banged-up offense a boost.
"I definitely feel like I’m a hard-nosed, downhill runner," Herron said, via the team's official website. "I like to get the tough yards. I feel like I can also break a long one as well. I’m just an all-around back."
Play of the Week
Prior to Sunday, the last time someone picked off Aaron Rodgers at Lambeau Field was in 2012. He threw 586 passes and 49 touchdowns between interceptions in Green Bay.
The recipient of the lucky, streak-breaking INT? James Laurinaitis:
We saw you, @JLaurinaitis55 – picking Aaron Rodgers off at home for the first time in 20 games. pic.twitter.com/kkv8Rh1zyg
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 11, 2015
How They Fared in Week Five
Player | Team | Position | Stats/Notes |
---|---|---|---|
Mike Adams | Pittsburgh Steelers | OL | On PUP list (out until Week 7, at the earliest) |
Will Allen | Pittsburgh Steelers | S | Plays tonight vs Chargers |
Michael Bennett | Jacksonville Jaguars | DT | 2 tackles in loss to Buccaneers |
Alex Boone | San Francisco 49ers | OL | Cleared way for Hyde on what was go-ahead TD in loss to Giants |
Philly Brown | Carolina Panthers | WR/KR/PR | Panthers on bye |
Kurt Coleman | Carolina Panthers | S | Panthers on bye |
Nate Ebner | New England Patriots | DB/ST | Didn't record a tackle in win over Cowboys |
Reid Fragel | Tampa Bay Buccaneers | OL | Made his season debut on a Doug Martin TD run in win over Jaguars |
Ted Ginn Jr. | Carolina Panthers | WR | Panthers on bye |
Johnathan Hankins | New York Giants | DT | 3 tackles, 1 for loss in win over 49ers |
Brian Hartline | Cleveland Browns | WR | 1 reception, 5 yards in OT win over Ravens |
A.J. Hawk | Cincinnati Bengals | LB | 2 tackles in OT win over Seahawks |
Boom Herron | Buffalo Bills | RB | 9 carries, 28 yards in win over Titans |
Cameron Heyward | Pittsburgh Steelers | DE | Plays tonight vs Chargers |
Carlos Hyde | San Francisco 49ers | RB | 21 carries, 93 yards, 1 TD in loss to Giants |
Malcolm Jenkins | Philadelphia Eagles | S | 6 tackles, 2 for loss in win over Saints |
James Laurinaitis | St. Louis Rams | LB | Team-leading 8 tackles and an interception in loss to Packers |
Corey Linsley | Green Bay Packers | C | Takes blame for fumble in win over Rams |
Nick Mangold | New York Jets | C | Jets on bye |
Jake McQuaide | St. Louis Rams | LS | Rams miss 3 field goals but convert on fake punt in loss to Packers |
Jack Mewhort | Indianapolis Colts | OL | Earned high grades for his performance in win over Texans, Thursday |
Andrew Norwell | Carolina Panthers | OL | Panthers on bye |
Mike Nugent | Cincinnati Bengals | K | Game-tying and game-winning field goal makes in OT win over Seahawks |
Bradley Roby | Denver Broncos | CB | 3 tackles in win over Raiders |
Ryan Shazier | Pittsburgh Steelers | LB | Practiced but ruled out for game vs Chargers due to shoulder injury |
John Simon | Houston Texans | LB | 3 tackles in loss to Colts |
Devin Smith | New York Jets | WR | Jets on bye |
Rod Smith | Seattle Seahawks | RB | 2 carries, 5 yards in NFL debut and loss to Bengals |
Jake Stoneburner | Miami Dolphins | TE | Dolphins on bye |
Donte Whitner | Cleveland Browns | S | 9 tackles and a huge hit to jar ball loose in OT win over Ravens |