Bengals Sam Hubbard scoops fumble rumbles for 98 yard TD

Bengals’ Sam Hubbard scoops fumble rumbles for 98-yard TD

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CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals’ defense may have saved the team’s season.

With the Baltimore Ravens looking to take the lead in the fourth quarter, the Bengals defense delivered a historic game.

On the third hit from the Cincinnati 1-yard line, Cincy linebacker Logan Wilson knocked the ball out of the hands of Baltimore quarterback Tyler Huntley as Huntley extended the ball over the goal line for a possible touchdown. The ball rolled down the turf at Paycor Stadium before Sam Hubbard picked up the ball and returned it for a 98-yard touchdown.

The 14-point swing gave the Bengals a 24-17 lead with 11:39 remaining. It was the longest fumble return for a touchdown in postseason history.

And it came when Cincinnati needed it most. The game was set up after Bengals safety Jessie Bates III threw Huntley two yards from the goal line initially out of bounds after Huntley reeled off a 35-yard gain.

Early in the game, old college teammates met for an early touchdown in Sunday’s AFC wildcard playoff game between the Cincinnati Bengals and Baltimore Ravens.

In the opening game of the second quarter, Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow found wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase, his former LSU teammate, for a 7-yard touchdown pass to put the Bengals 9-0 up with 14 minutes and 56 seconds left lead in the second quarter (they missed the PAT).

Burrow leaned on Chase early in the game. Of Burrow’s first 15 attempts, six were in Chase’s direction. He caught all six for 52 yards and that touchdown.

The connection between the two helped the Bengals overcome a penalty as Cincinnati closed in on the goal line. After Cincinnati left tackle Jonah Williams whistled for holding to put the ball back on the Ravens’ 19-yard line, Chase converted a burrow pass into a 12-yard completion, putting the Bengals in a manageable one distance before tying again for the first touchdown of the game.

Burrow added a 1-yard sneak and a 2-point conversion throw to Tee Higgins, leaving 7:08 in the third quarter to give the Bengals a 17-10 lead.