Buckeyes in the NFL, Week Five: The Bengals are still Undefeated & only the Nation's Top Astrophysicist Can Explain It

By Mike Young on October 12, 2015 at 10:10 am
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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:

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:

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: 

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
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