The Cincinnati Bengals almost found a way to mess up having the No. 1 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. That’s how committed they are to the Bungles moniker.
Coming into Sunday with a 1-13 record, the Bengals simply needed to do what they’ve been doing all season long in order to secure the top pick in next year’s draft. They just had to keep losing. Even with the Miami Dolphins (3-11) lining up across from them, that seemed like an easy task. But as it turns out, never send the Bengals to do what they’re supposed to.
With a little under four minutes left in the third quarter, Cincy was well on their way to clinching the No. 1 pick, down 28-6. However, they failed to get the memo and started mounting a rather epic comeback. On 4th & 3 from the 24 yard-line, Andy Dalton stepped back and delivered a floater to Tyler Boyd who jumped into the endzone and gave life to a franchise whose fans did not want any.
.@andydalton14 finds @boutdat_23 for a 4th down TD.
Big Levels™ | #SeizeTheDEY pic.twitter.com/PzOFB4EJWv
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 22, 2019
The Dolphins seemingly put the game away early in the fourth quarter with a Myles Gaskin touchdown run to make it 35-12, but that’s when the Bengals really pounced. First, Dalton hit tight end C.J. UZomah for a touchdown to make it 35-19.
Field view of Dalton's touchdown pass to Uzomah#Bengals #WhoDey #LetsRoar #SeizeTheDEY #NewDEY #NFL #NFL100 #BungleForBurrow #CINvsMIA #TankBowl #BurrowBowl @Bengals
— Cincy Fan Zone (@CincyFanZone) December 22, 2019
Then, Dalton found Tyler Boyd for another touchdown and a successful two-point conversion to make it 35-27. It should be noted that 27 points were most points Cincy has scored in a game the entire season. But they weren’t done.
With no time left on the clock, Dalton fired a rocket into the endzone and found Tyler Eifert for a 25-yard touchdown, making it 35-33 and requiring another two-point conversion to send the game into overtime.
NO QUIT pic.twitter.com/APx4tBMjjV
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 22, 2019
It should be noted at this point that while there was NO QUIT in the Bengals, their fans really wished there was.
— olly 🌹 (@sewadyllo) December 22, 2019
Regardless, Dalton worked a little more magic on the final play of regulation. Flushed out of the pocket, he scrambled for the endzone and scored the conversion, sending the game to overtime.
ANDY DALTON WANTS OT pic.twitter.com/MbpMptLwCN
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) December 22, 2019
The Bengals just got
– a touchdown on 4th down
– a 2pt conversion
– a successful onside kick
– a 29 yard touchdown with the game clock hitting zeros
– a 2pt conversionImagine this happening in a meaningful game. Everything would explode.
— Moo (@PFF_Moo) December 22, 2019
And just like that, the Bengals were in overtime fighting for their pride and glory, all the while putting their potential rights to the No. 1 draft pick in jeopardy. Alas, it wasn’t to be as the Dolphins kicked a game-winning field goal with time expiring in the extra period. The Bengals lost…and yet they won. All in spite of themselves.
For the win 🙌#CINvsMIA #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/eIW3WnOhjh
— Miami Dolphins (@MiamiDolphins) December 22, 2019
The #Bengals are on the clock!
Cincinnati clinches first overall pick in 2020 NFL Draft with today's overtime loss to #Dolphins.
— NFL Draft (@NFLDraft) December 22, 2019
Andy Dalton did everything he could to prove why the Bengals shouldn’t draft LSU’s Joe Burrows with that draft pick. If only he’d played like he was trying to prevent the Bengals from securing the top pick sooner, they might not have even been in this position, to begin with.