Every week we award the Samsung Game Ball of the Week, handing the great honor to the player that made significant contributions for the Cincinnati Bengals that week. This we're handing it Bengals tight end Jermaine Gresham, who posted five receptions, including a touchdown and a critical fourth down conversion that sustained Cincinnati's drive during their game winning possession.
Cincinnati's offense retained possession at midfield with just under four minutes remaining in the first half. Several plays into the possession, Andy Dalton completed a 13-yard pass to A.J. Green on fourth down from the Jaguars 34-yard line. A handful number of plays later, the Bengals were left with third-and-goal from Jacksonville's three-yard line and 21 seconds remaining in the first half. Jermaine Gresham lined up outside of Donald Lee, who played one step behind and to the right of Andre Smith.
Andy Dalton takes the snap, pump fakes over the middle with eight defensive players in coverage. Dalton rolls out right, targeting Gresham in the end zone and (unwisely) throwing across his body. Gresham slide to the ground on the pass that was slightly behind him, recording a touchdown with 14 seconds remaining in the first half, tying the game at 13.
[Excerpt from previous posting]
Andy Dalton lines up in shotgun with Brian Leonard to his left late in the game. A.J. Green flanks wide right with Jermaine Gresham on Andre Smith's outside hip. Jerome Simpson lines up to Andrew Whitworth's left on the line with Andre Caldwell one step behind Simpson's outside hip.
Kyle Cook snaps the football and Caldwell runs a pivot out towards the sidelines while Simpson runs a 10-yard in-route. A.J. Green does what A.J. Green does best -- run towards the end zone. Jacksonville double-covered Simpson and Green with a nickel covering Caldwell (who had enough separation for a first down). Brian Leonard stayed in to block before delaying into a route over the middle.
Jermaine Gresham ran upfield with safety Dawan Landry covering Gresham's inside hip. After ten yards into his route, Gresham gave Landry a little nudge just as Andy Dalton cocked his arm for the throw. Gresham turned towards the quarterback after the pass traveled five yards, leaping into the air on a high throw and hauling down the first down pass.
Three plays later Bernard Scott would would take a third down handoff, scoring the game-winning touchdown just after the two minute warning. However if the Bengals fail to convert this fourth down reception, the Bengals don't score the touchdown later in the drive and perhaps lose the game.
Previous Winners
Week Two Against Denver: Quarterback Andy Dalton
Week Three Against San Francisco: Defensive End Jonathan Fanene
Week Four Against Buffalo: Place Kicker Mike Nugent