The timing between long snapper, holder, and kicker is often overlooked.
On Sunday, the Bengals rallied to tie Pittsburgh with seconds left. All that stood between Cincinnati and a season-opening thrilling victory was the PAT.
However, Cincinnati’s long snapper was lost due to a bicep injury and that put a backup tight end on the ball for the potential game-winning point.
That was Mitch Wilcox, the emergency long snapper, in on that blocked PAT for the #Bengals on the last play. Bengals and Steelers headed to OT. Snap was fine, just a tad slow. Man, impossible situation to be in.
— Joey Knight (@TBTimes_Bulls) September 11, 2022
The snap floated — being kind — back to the holder and by the time Evan McPherson put foot to ball, Minkah Fitzpatrick was in full flight and blocked that kick.
BLOCKED. WHAT A GAME.@minkfitz_21 said NOPE!
📺: #PITvsCIN on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/pHwdeoOMZE pic.twitter.com/wBzxQPQiH5— NFL (@NFL) September 11, 2022
The AFC North rivals put on a wild contest that appeared to be in the hands of Pittsburgh before the Bengals rallied.
Cincinnati was looking to become the first team to be minus-5 in turnovers to win a game since 2012.
The tying score was via the Bengals’ LSU Tiger connection of Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase.
The @Bengals tie it!
📺: #PITvsCIN on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/pHwdeoOMZE pic.twitter.com/R0KIIttdGz— NFL (@NFL) September 11, 2022
Earlier, Chase had almost made a remarkable catch but his toe touched the sideline when he came down.
So close… Ja’Marr almost made this epic catch. 😱
📺: #PITvsCIN on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/pHwdeoOMZE pic.twitter.com/DxMgDGMrUp— NFL (@NFL) September 11, 2022
The Steelers lost Najee Harris to a foot injury and T.J. Watt to a pec injury late in the contest. Ouch.
The long snapper issues came back to haunt the Bengals in OT. Another weak snap threw off McPherson’s timing and the game staggered on.
NO GOOD. This game is bananas.
📺: #PITvsCIN on CBS
📱: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/pHwdeoOMZE pic.twitter.com/WuyBvNuRp7— NFL (@NFL) September 11, 2022
