The Cincinnati Bengals inched forward on Sunday night to advance to the divisional round of this year’s playoff action. And they did so in quite a thrilling fashion, setting some all-time records on the way. Moreover, the Baltimore Ravens were without their primary signal-caller Lamar Jackson. And Cincinnati’s very own Sam Hubbard came to the rescue.
With the game tied at 17 points each, Hubbard ran the field length to take the game out of the Ravens’ clutch. Also, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow had an average night and according to a vast majority of the fans watching, it was Hubbard who “bailed out” last year’s Super Bowl runner-up QB.
Sam Hubbard comes off with the fumble return
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The Ravens and backup quarterback Tyler Huntley were a yard away from taking the lead in the fourth quarter of the NFL Super Wildcard matchup at the Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday. Huntley had 2 touchdowns over 226 yards of passing and also threw one interception. However, it was the one-yard quarterback sneak that backfired for Baltimore.
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The 92% win-rate QB sneak didn’t go through for the Ravens as the ball slipped and fell into the hands of Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard. The 27-year-old from Ohio State ran for 98 yards for the defensive touchdown and the hometown kid became a hometown hero. Justifiably, the Cincinnati fans poured in their admiration.
Talk about being at the right place at the right time.
— Carlos Menjivar (@arzcardsfan11) January 16, 2023
Is this the first time the QB sneak failed
— TJ 🇦🇼 (@Imverymadrn) January 16, 2023
I’m still trying to process what the Ravens were doing there…
— MericanDave (@MericanDave) January 16, 2023
Poor Mark Andrews man, really gave it his all and ended in a face plant pic.twitter.com/jXJBRR1wKz
— The NBA Expert (@RealNBAExpert) January 16, 2023
Joe burrow bailed out once again.
— Drip Bayless(Parody Account) (@DripGodless) January 16, 2023
Sam Hubbard showed downfield excellent speed for a Defensive lineman!
— Michael Freda (@MichaelFreda17) January 16, 2023
— SportsGrid (@SportsGrid) January 16, 2023
Big homie was gassed after that run, awesome run!😭
— Jacob Magallanes 🇲🇽🇲🇽 (@Jacooobb_) January 16, 2023
Can’t believe I witnessed that
— Bstrauss05 (@bstrauss05) January 16, 2023
Baltimore Ravens tight end Mark Andrews gave a chase for the ages in his attempt to stop Hubbard from the back, but the DE had a crowd of Bengals linemen and pass rushers to aid him in the game-winning touchdown.
Hubbard cannot believe what just happened
In the post-game press conference, Sam Hubbard addressed the historic defensive play in the 24-17 win. However, Sam also described the frantic emotion of being chased by TE Mark Andrews.
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Sam Hubbard on his 98-yard game-winning TD: "You can't replicate a feeling like that in life." #Bengals pic.twitter.com/KDTbihg9TF
— Joe Danneman (@FOX19Joe) January 16, 2023
“You can’t even dream that one up. Also, it was pretty special but probably the feeling of running to the sidelines and seeing everybody’s faces. You can’t replicate a feeling like that in life. It was really special. I was watching on the big screen. And I saw. He’s coming. Somebody, please block him. Please. Don’t get caught,” Hubbard recounted amidst laughter in the crowd.
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Moreover, Joe Burrow had a relatively quiet one-touchdown night and Hubbard may have just rescued his star quarterback from an upset in the first round of the playoff this year. Next up, the Bengals face the Buffalo Bills for the highly anticipated and recently cancelled Josh and Joe matchup in the divisional playoff game next Sunday.