30-30 vision
As the Bengals mark their 30th anniversary,
fans celebrate their 30 Most Memorable Games

BY CARLOS FRIAS
The Cincinnati Enquirer

The "Freezer Bowl" of 1982 put the Bengals on the map, sending them to their first Super Bowl with a 27-7 victory over San Diego in the AFC Championship game.

The game is etched in the memories of Cincinnati fans, many of whom sat in the minus-59 degree wind chill to watch their team rally for the victory, scoring 10 points in 59 seconds.

In honor of the Bengals' 30th season, The Enquirer asked its readers to rank the 30 most memorable games in team history. The Freezer Bowl was the winner, edging out Cincinnati's two Super Bowl appearances.

The following list reflects the votes of 150 ballots from readers - 135 submitted via the Enquirer's Web site. Thanks to those who participated.

We asked readers to select 10 games, and points were tallied based on 10 for first place, nine for second place, etc. The points and number of votes cast are listed with each game, along with reader comments.

1) Freezer Bowl (AFC Championship) - Cincinnati 27, San Diego 7 (Jan. 10, 1982)

Votes: 135; points: 1,173

"When the linemen came out in short sleeves, I knew it was going to be a game to remember." - Shawn Cade, Hurricane, WVa.

"My mother went with me and actually had icicles form in her hair by halftime." - Ed Wildermuth, West Palm Beach, Fla.

"Had a sleeping bag filled with newspaper, still couldn't feel my feet. Didn't matter, it was the best time I ever had at Riverfront." - Brian Hill, Columbia, Ky.

2) Super Bowl XXIII - San Francisco 20, Cincinnati 16 (Jan. 22, 1989)

Votes: 142; points: 1,146

Jim Breech's 40-yard field goal gives the Bengals the lead with 3:20 left, but Joe Montana hits John Taylor in the closing minute for the victory. Bengals nose tackle Tim Krumrie breaks his leg in the game's second series.

"Shoulda, woulda, coulda won but Joe Montana had ice water in his veins that day, broke my heart." - Ray McNab, Atlantic City, N.Y.

"Everyone forgets the dropped interception by the Bengals in the end zone that could have stopped Montana's final drive." - John Claybourne, Travis, Calif.

3) Super Bowl XVI - San Francisco 26, Cincinnati 21 (Jan. 24, 1982)

Votes: 124; points: 950.5

San Francisco leads 20-0 at halftime, and a second-half Bengal rally falls short when Cincinnati can't score in four goal-line attempts.

"Weeping openly, I couldn't believe the unfairness of the result." - Steven Sorg, Covington, Ky.

"Cincinnati is put to the forefront of the football world, and a shaky first half would do no justice to a Bengals team that was a goal-line stand away from becoming the champions of the NFL." - Sebastien Robert, Repentigny, Quebec

4) AFC Championship - Cincinnati 21, Buffalo 10 (Jan. 10, 1989)

Votes: 100; points: 639

The Bengals hold Buffalo to 181 yards, and Ickey Woods does two "Ickey Shuffles."

"This might be one of the Bengals' best played games ever, considering the caliber of team the Bills were." - Ray Tolle, Maysville, Ky.

5) San Francisco 27, Cincinnati 26 (Sept. 20, 1987)

Votes: 60; points: 292

Coach Sam Wyche mismanages the clock on fourth-and-25 with six seconds left, calling for a sweep to James Brooks. He's tackled with two seconds left. Joe Montana hits Jerry Rice for a 25-yard touchdown.

"My father would often go for cathartic drives when he was upset. After that game, I think he drove to Michigan." - Gary Vigran, Indianapolis.

6) Cincinnati 61, Houston 7 (Dec. 17, 1989)

Votes: 65; points: 279

Bengals register the widest margin of victory in team history, with Wyche taking great pleasure in running up the score on arch-enemy Jerry Glanville.

"We paid for this excess down the road, but it was great to spank the livin' Elvis out of Jerry Glanville." - John Thoms, Narragansett, R.I.

7) Cincinnati 50, Dallas 24 (Dec. 8, 1985)

Votes: 58; points: 279

The Bengals got up 22-0 in the first nine minutes. Their 570 yards of offense were the most ever gained against the Cowboys.

"Football's royalty came to town for the first time and we kicked their butts." - Susan Grote, Cincinnati.

8) Cincinnati 20, Washington 17 (Dec. 17, 1988)

Votes: 48; points: 257

The Bengals finish the season at 12-4 and clinch their first division title in seven years and home-field advantage for the playoffs .

"When (Chip) Lohmiller missed the winning field goal, it was obvious there were others looking out for the Bengals, capping a year of destiny." - Jonathan Chalfie, Wilmington, Del.

9) Dallas 23, Cincinnati 20 (Oct. 30, 1994)

Votes: 52; points: 245

Third-string QB Jeff Blake starts and becomes an instant Cincinnati hero with 247 passing yards.

"Up until this day, it was so painful to be a Bengals fan. Jeff Blake gave us something exciting to cheer about." - Jason Wren, Columbus, Ohio

10) Cincinnati 27, Seattle 21 (Sept. 6, 1981)

Votes: 43; points: 200

Led by reserve quarterback Turk Schonert, the Bengals rally from a 21-0 deficit to win their debut game in striped uniforms.

"First game my dad took me to. I had a ball and I remember how all the fans were laughing at the new uniforms." - Brian Hill, Columbia, Ky.

11) Cincinnati 33, Buffalo 14 (Nov. 17, 1975)

Votes: 36; points: 172

Ken Anderson throws for 447 yards, the 10th highest one-game total in NFL history, and Buffalo's O.J. Simpson rushes for 197 yards in a thrilling Monday night game.

"Kenny Anderson was superb. It was an offensive feat. Back then O.J. was the man, now he's, well Š" - Jeff White, Rialto, Calif.

12) San Diego 50, Cincinnati 34 (Dec. 20, 1982)

Votes: 33; points: 165.5

Quarterbacks Anderson and Dan Fouts light it up in a Monday night game. Anderson was 40-of-56 for 416 yards, but Fouts passed for 435.

". . . The most unbelievable offensive explosion I've ever seen." - Keith Murphy, Perry, Ga.

13) Cincinnati 24, Baltimore 21 (Nov. 3, 1996)

Votes: 37; points: 133

Proving the Dave Shula era is behind them, the Bengals win in dramatic fashion for Bruce Coslet. Down 21-3 at halftime, Cincinnati storms back to win on Doug Pelfrey's 34-yard field goal as time expires. The game is also remembered for a terrifying moment when Bengals offensive lineman Scott Brumfield is temporarily paralyzed after colliding with a teammate.

14) Cincinnati 45, Boston 7 (Dec. 20, 1970)

Votes: 24; points: 124

A crowd of 60,157 at Riverfront watch as the Bengals end their regular season with a seven-game win streak and clinch their first playoff berth in only their third season.

"The Bengals clinch their first playoff berth, and who else to enjoy this moment in the sun but Paul Brown as he gets carried off the field after the game." - Sebastien Robert, Repentigny, Quebec.

15) Seattle 24, Cincinnati 17 (Dec. 10, 1989)

Votes: 27; points: 123

" ŒYou don't live in Cleveland!' Wyche told the fans. A class act. Also memorable, Steve Largent catching his 100th touchdown pass and a standing ovation from Riverfront. THAT'S class!" - Ken Buzzard, Lexington Park, Md.

16) Cincinnati 33, Philadelphia 30 (Dec. 24, 1994)

Votes: 31; points: 122

"Bengals recovered a squib kick with no time left on the clock to kick the game-winning field goal. The P.A. system played the ŒAlleluia' chorus and the few fans that were left went crazy." - Allan Chandler, New York, N.Y.

17) Cincinnati 14, Cleveland 10 (Nov. 15, 1970)

Votes: 23; points: 116

Paul Brown beats his old team for the first time. The Bengals come back from a 10-0 deficit and win on Paul Robinson's run from 1 yard out.

"Virgil Carter's long run set up the victory. My dad left the lights on in the car." - Gary Vigran, Indianapolis.

18) Cincinnati 27, Pittsburgh 9 (Oct. 19, 1995)

Votes: 24; points: 113

Bengals shock America by destroying the eventual AFC champions in a Thursday night game at Pittsburgh, led by Blake's passing (18-22, 275 yards, 3 TDs).

19) Cleveland 27, Cincinnati 24 (Dec. 21, 1980)

Votes: 23; points: 112

Browns defensive back Thom Darden knocked Bengals receiver Pat McInally out of the game with a clothesline tackle, but McInally returned for a dramatic TD catch.

"Pat McInally shows that Forrest Gregg football is going to make it a harbinger of the season to come, and proof that Pat was a lot tougher than his Harvard image." - Mark M. Smith, Cincinnati.

20) Cincinnati 20, Cleveland 17 (Dec. 2, 1984)

Votes: 23; points: 104

Anthony Munoz scored his first career touchdown on a tackle-eligible pass from Boomer Esiason on the final play of regulation to send the game to OT. Then Breech kicked a 35-yarder for the victory.

21) Cincinnati 27, Minnesota 0 (Dec. 2, 1973)

Votes: 25; points: 102

Not only was it the Bengals' first shutout (they have had six since, most recently in 1989), it was the first time the "Purple People-Eater" Vikings had been blanked in 162 games. Minnesota entered the game 10-1.

22) Cincinnati 17, Pittsburgh 10 (Dec. 13, 1981)

Votes: 21; points: 102

Bengals go to Pittsburgh - previously a house of horrors - to beat the four-time Super Bowl champion Steelers for the AFC Central Division title.

"After the loss to San Francisco at home the previous week, I feared we might realistically lose this game and the season finale at Atlanta and end up 10-6. This team continued to surprise, however, during my favorite season in Bengals history." - Tim Curry, Greensburg, Ky.

23) Pittsburgh 24, Cincinnati 14 (Oct. 10, 1983)

Votes: 20; points: 101

"It was Keith Gary (grabbing) Kenny Anderson's face mask in the end zone and spinning him to the ground. I thought his career was over - Gary's should've been after that." - Brian McDaniel, Norton, Ohio.

24) Cincinnati 27, Minnesota 24 (Dec. 24, 1995)

Votes: 25; points: 100

For the second straight Christmas Eve, Pelfrey wins a game as time runs out at Riverfront. This time, Pelfrey hits a 51-yard field goal as the Bengals rally from a 24-3 halftime deficit.

"The comeback was awesome and the field goal at the end, I listened to it in the kitchen of my mother's home as we were picking her up for Christmas Eve church. What a nice Christmas present." - Rick Bannister, Westerville, Ohio.

25) Cincinnati 24, Denver 10 (Sept. 15, 1968)

Votes: 16; points: 91

Bengals win for the first time in history, in their home opener before 25,049 at Nippert Stadium. John Stofa replaces Dewey Warren at quarterback. The previous week, the Bengals lost their first regular-season game, 29-13 at San Diego.

26) Cincinnati 24, Kansas City 19 (Sept. 28, 1969)

Votes: 16; points: 85

The second-year Bengals are the talk of the football world, beating the eventual Super Bowl champs at Nippert to start the season 3-0. Standout rookie quarterback Greg Cook suffers an arm injury that eventually cuts short his career, and backup Sam Wyche comes off the bench to throw an 80-yard touchdown to tight end Bob Trumpy.

27) Pittsburgh 7, Cincinnati 3 (Nov. 28, 1976)

Votes: 21; points: 80

The second half was played in a snowstorm. The Bengals would go on to finish the season 10-4 but did not make the playoffs, partially because of this loss.

28) Cincinnati 21, Phoenix 14 (Sept. 4, 1988)

Votes: 17; points: 66

Two goal-line stands, one on the first series of downs and the second on the final series, propelled the Bengals in their season opener. The team started the year 6-0 en route to Super Bowl XXIII.

29) Cincinnati 61, Houston 17 (Dec. 17, 1972)

Votes: 9; points: 66

The Bengals set a team scoring record by embarrassing the Oilers in the Astrodome after being up only 19-10 with 5:10 remaining in the third quarter. It is the only game in Bengals history with three TDs by the defense, all on interception returns: two by Lemar Parrish and one by Neal Craig.

30) L.A. Raiders 20, Cincinnati 10 (Jan. 13, 1991)

Votes: 16; points: 63

The Bengals' most recent playoff game is known more as the day Bengals linebacker Kevin Walker put a career-ending tackle on Bo Jackson, injuring his hip.

"I only wish Bo Jackson did not get hurt. He was one of the best running backs that never was." - Brian Mynattq, Hampton, Va.

Bengals poised for success
Spirit of Paul Brown inspires Bengals
Player photos and bios