by Ryan Mercier
For all of the NFL fans out there who only want to see high-scoring games with nonstop offense and zero resistance on defense, Saturday was not for you. Not satisfied with the scores of 19-16 and 13-10? Good. Come back in September during silly season.
Bengals 19, Titans 16
Joe Burrow was sacked nine times. He also threw for 348 yards. A quarterback can be measured by how he performs in a shootout but getting up off the mat time and time again in a bloodbath is equally as impressive.
Tennessee’s defense terrorized the much-maligned offensive line of the Cincinnati Bengals for those nine Burrow takedowns. The same unit held Joe Mixon and company to 65 yards on the ground. In many cases, that would be more than enough to win.
However, the Bengals D showed up as well. They didn’t have the same dominant feel but came up with three interceptions of Ryan Tannehill, a proven average quarterback at this point. They all came at absolute back-breaking points in the game: The very first snap, Tannehill’s first throw of the second half, and the final offensive play of the Titans season on a failed game-winning drive.
The Titans also went 1-for-8 on 3rd down against Cincinnati.
Bengals Rookie kicker Evan McPherson handled the special teams expertise on the day, nailing all four field goal attempts. This included a 54-yarder and the 52-yard game-winner.
Contrary to what the score would say, offense showed up in this game, too. Ja’Marr Chase made some understated incredible plays, darting away from defenders when it looked like he would surely be tackled several times. AJ Brown also showed why he’s one of the scariest receivers in the game catching five balls for 142 yards on the day.
49ers 13, Packers 10
Wow. The ending is just as stunning now as when it occurred hours ago. It’s harder to think of a game more impacted by special teams in recent memory. Aaron Rodgers, one of the best to ever do it and the likely 2021 MVP, somehow was an afterthought. Hey, the game is called FOOTball, after all.
At the end of the half following a brutal interception by 49ers QB Jimmy Garoppolo, the Packers were suddenly attempting a field goal. A 10-0 lead at halftime, while still somehow leaving a feeling of wanting, would be a breath of relief for Packers fans. Instead, the Mason Crosby attempt was blocked. Green Bay scored a TD on the first drive of the game, and it would be the only points of the entire half.
Two successful field goals later, one by each team, the Packers culminating special teams gaffe of the season was just around the corner. Right after the Green Bay defense out-toughed the 49ers on a critical 4th and 1 in Packers territory, it is absurd to look back and realize the Pack’s season was about to be over.
Rodgers and the Packers regained possession of the ball with just over six minutes remaining and up by one touchdown. After three forgettable plays, they were forced to punt. All year long, special teams have been the one phase letting down the Packers. Corey Bojorquez went back to punt and the 49ers Jordan Willis blocked it. The ball popped up in the air for what felt like an eternity. Talanoa Hufanga was the one to find it and took it to the house for an unbelievable TD. Here’s venturing a guess Hufanga has never been on anyone’s fantasy team.
Robbie Gould finished the San Francisco 49ers special teams opus with a field goal through driving snow, sending his team back to the NFC Championship game.
By now, it’s a trope. It’s coachspeak. It’s cliche. But on Saturday, January 22nd, everyone knows there are three phases of football: Offense, defense, and special teams.
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