BENGALS 34, LIONS 28 Sawyer saves the day Monday, September 14, 1998
BY CHRIS HAFT
The Cincinnati Enquirer
PONTIAC, Mich. -- Before Sunday's overtime began at the Pontiac Silverdome, Bruce Coslet gathered his team around him and delivered an impassioned message.
Corey Sawyer makes the game-winning play.
(AP photo)
| ZOOM |
This, Coslet said, represented a chance to remake their sorry image.
"If we ever want to be a good team, here it is -- a hostile environment; we kind of fouled up an opportunity at the end of the game, twice," said Coslet, the Bengals coach. "I said, it's here for our taking."
Corey Sawyer seized that opportunity, in more ways than one. Sawyer's 53-yard interception return for a touchdown four plays into overtime gave the Bengals a 34-28 victory over the Detroit Lions and provided a welcome interruption to their dreary performances in this decade, particularly against good opponents, early in the season and away from home.
"I've never been in an emotional game like that, where we came out on top in that fashion," Bengals linebacker Tom Tumulty said. "The sheer joy of working hard and practicing hard -- to finally get a break and beat a heck of a football team."
Teammates mob Sawyer in the end zone.
(AP photo)
| ZOOM |
Executing a special pass coverage to perfection, Sawyer allowed intended receiver Johnnie Morton to break inside and stepped in front of Detroit quarterback Scott Mitchell's pass before starting his triumphant sprint up the left sideline.
Beaten on several passes earlier, Sawyer admitted he had scoring on his mind the instant he made his theft. "You know me -- I've got to go get that end zone," said Sawyer, who scored his first touchdown in 11 career interceptions.
Sawyer's play offset the Bengals' failed bids to win in regulation.
Doug Pelfrey pulled a 35-yard field-goal try wide left with 7 minutes and 24 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, preceding the Lions' last touchdown that forged a 28-28 tie. Pelfrey then had a 48-yard attempt blocked by Marc Spindler as the fourth quarter expired.
Sawyer wasn't the only hero.
Neil O'Donnell threw for 303 yards, teaming up with Darnay Scott for first-half touchdowns of 70 and 36 yards. Damon Gibson, the rookie nobody saw fit to draft, returned a punt 65 yards for a touchdown. Corey Dillon, playing on a strained left knee, still collected 77 yards and a touchdown. Cornerback Ashley Ambrose prevented the Lions from launching a last-minute, fourth-quarter drive with a diving interception at Detroit's 31-yard line to set up Pelfrey's foiled 48-yarder.
Darnay Scott makes a 70-yard TD catch.
(AP photo)
| ZOOM |
These individuals stepped forward to help the team make noteworthy strides:
- Cincinnati, 10-48 in the first halves of seasons since 1991, posted its first September victory on the road since Sept. 3, 1995 (24-21 at Indianapolis).
- The Bengals notched only their seventh August - September regular-season victory overall (compared with 23 defeats) since 1991.
- They posted their first road victory over a team that reached the playoffs in the previous year for the first time since Oct. 19, 1995 (27-9 at Pittsburgh).
The Bengals also avoided the prospect of being buried under their usual early-season avalanche of defeats, since they must face the defending NFC champion Green Bay Packers next Sunday at Cinergy Field. Only 10 teams in the 1990s have reached the postseason after starting 0-2.
Steve Foley sacks Scott Mitchell in the fourth quarter.
(AP photo)
| ZOOM |
"They (the Lions) were putting their whole season on the line with one game," Bengals right tackle Willie Anderson said. "Well, it was kind of do-or-die for us, too."
"I hate to say this, but I kind of agreed with some of the things you were writing, that this was a big game because of our future opponents, plus (considering) we lost last week and ancient history," Coslet said.
The impact of the victory resonated with Bengals players.
"It's huge, the way we won it," Tumulty said.
James Francis, right, celebrates with Jevon Langford.
(AP photo)
| ZOOM |
"It's a momentum boost," defensive end Michael Bankston said. "We know we can play with anybody and finish the game."
"We know we can win now," Scott said. "We had doubts -- not really doubts -- but now we're ready."
At any other time in the 1990s, the Bengals would have been outclassed by Detroit's Barry Sanders and overwhelmed by their own shortcomings. Sanders showed why he's the NFL's best rusher, gainging 185 yards and three touchdowns on 26 carries.
The Bengals had chances to win in regulation:
That seemed to shift momentum to the Lions, especially after they won the overtime coin flip and elected to receive the kickoff. When Sanders burst for 20 yards to Detroit's 40-yard line on the first play, a Lions victory appeared imminent.
- < Doug Pelfrey pulled a 35-yard field-goal try wide left that would have given the Bengals a 31-21 lead. On their next possession, the Lions drove for a touchdown to make it 28-28.
- After Ashley Ambrose picked off a Mitchell pass, Pelfrey then the had a 48-yard attempt blocked as time ran out.
But the Bengals surged instead of sagged.
"The fans need to know we're not going to give up and we're going to keep getting better and better," Bankston said. "There's no telling what's going to happen to this team."
BENGALS NOTEBOOK
