1048 Sunset Boulevard

Bengals playoff vs the 49ers…

November 6, 2007 | Kid Brag

Coach Bobby Humphrey said… “Boys, I have been to the Super Bowl as a Denver Bronco. We didn’t get it done but it was MAGIC being there. That Super Bowl was against the 49ers. We are playing the 49ers tonight and it sure would make me feel good to be going to another championship 1 Hour from now!”

The Niners had lost 3 regular season games but had been scheduled to play 2 of those teams again and came back the 2nd time to handily beat the Saints and then the Falcons. The only team they had not had a victory against was this Bengal squad. They were determined as though it were their destiny to win this playoff against those scruffy Bengals and go on to the championship game on Saturday!!!

With that, the Bengals took the field and kicked off to a MUCH improved 49ers team. The Bengal’s first kickoff looked like a squibbed onside kick… surely it was an accident

In the first quarter, despite good field position for the Niners,  the Monster defense of the Bengals shut down the outside to the 49ers thanks to the shrewed body checking of their corners Blake Grey and Adam Polhemus, two of the shortest cornerbacks in the league whose combined weight didn’t even top 160 lbs. The Bengals took the ball back on downs and marched to the 7 yard line where Marlon Humphrey glided in off left tackle. The extra point was good and the Bengals wen up 7-0. Dylan Ackerson was not on his A-Game as a kicker tonight. Where he usually averaged 30+ yards a kickoff, the stocky 105 lb lineman squibbed the opening kick and now his 2nd kick went barely 10 yards. Once again the Niners had good field position at midfield. The Bengals defense could have cared less. Though the Niners were able to get to the 3 yard line, a costly hold brought them back out to the 15 and the ball went over on downs. The Bengals took a precision attempt and as the first quarter rolled down, they made it into the endzone on another Quarterback sweep by Roman Virciglio. No point after this time… an offsides made it impossible to cover the distance and the 2nd quarter began 13-0.

2nd string quarterback Griffin Selby is a tall lanky boy that prefers music and reading to sports but has a wonderful arm. He knew the 2nd quarter was always his so he practiced passing while watching from the sidelines. The 49ers made it tense as they pulled into the endzone on a well executed cross dive from a shotgun T formation. Their extra point was good and 13-7 was now the score. Grif brought his 2nd quarter team out to the field. Since most skilled players in the backfield must rotate out of that position for 1 quarter every game, Grif had a sturdy but 2nd string backfield to work with. He worked the middle for 2 downs and then promptly threw an interception and hung his head as he walked off the field. Within 7 plays, the Animal defense of the Bengals handed the ball back to Grif. He took his offense down to midfield and threw another long bomb that was picked off by the Niners. The 49ers still couldn’t score since defensive end Conner O’Brien decided the backfield was now his domain and hit them for 3 losses in that series. Grif came slowly back on the field a little happier. At least this time he had some hope. Coach Humphrey substituted Marlon in at wide receiver and gave Grif 2 of the best blockers in the backfield. “Just throw the ball as far as you can, Grif!” said Coach Humphrey, “I promise Marlon will get under it.” So Grif did as the coach urged and BAM! 45 yard touchdown pass to Marlon Humphrey. The Bengals 1st touchdown pass of the year. No extra point but it was now 19-7 going into Halftime. Grif now held the team record for most interceptions and most touchdowns.

3rd quarter was a battle but the Niners were determined to make up the deficit. They found the endzone again to bring the score to 19-14 and were on top of the world. They saw the victory within grasp. One more TD and they would have proven their stars had changed.

So much can change from a simple kickoff of course. Their kicker finally got his foot into it and it flew 35 yards straight to a baffled, tall, skinny kickoff return runner who hadn’t had a game kickoff put in his arms all season.

You see, Dylan Ackerson is the Bengals kicker and the best in the league. Since he kicks so well, Bengal Kickoff practices force their receivers to line up deep and as such; all the season games with less proficient kickers saw the kickoffs in the arms of the closer players. This time the ball went right to the deep man’s surprised arms. Unfortunately for the Niners, those skinny arms belonged to none other than Marlon Humphrey and he knew JUST what to do with a football tucked into his arm. ALL the way down the sideline for a touchdown. NO extra point but now it was 25-14.

4th quarter was nothing but time management and AMAZING stops by the defense… The 49ers would get close but be denied, as though the Bengal defense would just dangle the endzone right in front of them like a tiger playing with it’s prey and just pull it away with astounding tackles like a smooth rug on a polished hardwood floor. As the clock ticked off to zero, coach Humphrey raised his hands to the fans as if saying, “I get to be at another Super Bowl… this time we’re getting that trophy!”

Bengals vs Falcons 12 noon, November 9, Hoover Central Field.

Lainie & Bailey will be there… wish you could come!