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It has been one long season for Bengals fans. We have only seen the team win a single game all year. The payoff came with this loss to the Dolphins though. Cincinnati is officially on the clock in the 2020 NFL draft as they have secured the first overall pick.
Some fans may be upset that others have rooted for losses to get to this point, but the sad reality is this team only could muster a single win this season. How the fans cheered wouldn’t have changed anything.
Late game scare
The Bengals had quite the comeback in them apparently, which no one saw coming. They scored 16 points after securing an improbable onside kick in between scores to send the game to overtime. Needless to say, this left plenty of fans frustrated after it seemed the tank had been secured. Even some of the national media got in on the disbelief.
The Bengals are the worst
— Rebecca Toback (@Rebecca_Toback) December 22, 2019
What is happening?
— Bengals-Talk.com (@BengalsTalk) December 22, 2019
I am trying to imagine Bengals fans watching this game right now and I can't. I literally can't imagine what they must be thinking.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 22, 2019
Somebody order me an entire section at LIV smh...
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) December 22, 2019
— Jeaux Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) December 22, 2019
oh my god please tie
— Jake (@Jake_NFL) December 22, 2019
Miami blew that lead? Did they do it on purpose or they just blew it?
— Jason_OTC (@Jason_OTC) December 22, 2019
LMAOOOO
— SB Nation (@SBNation) December 22, 2019
the Bengals, who are currently hold the No. 1 pick, were down 8 vs. the Dolphins, but got the ball back with 33 seconds left
they got the touchdown AND the 2-point conversion
we're going to OT pic.twitter.com/c7NbTALlFZ
ANDY DALTON WANTS OT pic.twitter.com/MbpMptLwCN
— The Checkdown (@thecheckdown) December 22, 2019
You guys ready for this comeback and overtime #Bengals win? pic.twitter.com/WavtcCL0U4
— Elite Andy Dalton (@EvilAndyDalton) December 22, 2019
Holy crap..... the #Bengals flipping TIED the game with a 2-pt conversion. You've gotta be kidding me... I was not expecting this.
— Elise Jesse (@Elise_JesseWLWT) December 22, 2019
What the hell are the Bengals doing?
— Big Cat (@BarstoolBigCat) December 22, 2019
Bengal fans right now pic.twitter.com/GpdKr7tX0a
— George Iloka (@George_iloka) December 22, 2019
— Scott Ford (@The_ScottFord) December 22, 2019
only the bengals would score 16 points in 35 seconds to potentially lose the 1st overall pick https://t.co/xDlpHgEKhs
— Armaan Mavi pt. 2 (@MaviArmaan) December 22, 2019
@Bengals are y’all kidding me
— Phillip Hawkins (@HawkinsPhillip) December 22, 2019
How would you describe being a bengals fan?
— Sultan of Swing (@LucasLightle) December 22, 2019
Me: pic.twitter.com/Wj0csx7WFU
All the Bengals had to do to lock up the #1 pick was NOT score 16 points in 30 seconds and they can’t even do that right. This franchise sucks.
— Jordan Hyland (@JordanHyland21) December 22, 2019
Darius Phillips is balling the hell out and just why does it have to be right now
— Jake (@Jake_NFL) December 22, 2019
Overheard in the press box after Kevin Huber's 40-yard punt: "Huber is in on it."
— Santa Baby (@Ben_Baby) December 22, 2019
Can't wait to read the oral history of this Dolphins-Bengals game in 2029.
— Santa Baby (@Ben_Baby) December 22, 2019
Bengals calling timeouts. Clearly they are not as interested in the tie as they should be.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 22, 2019
actually haven't felt this distraught about a bengals game since 2015
— Jake (@Jake_NFL) December 22, 2019
Bengals fans: Have you ever felt so sick about potentially winning a game?
— Rebecca Toback (@Rebecca_Toback) December 22, 2019
Bungled for Burrow
There is no secret that this loss secured the Bengals for their first overall pick since they drafted Carson Palmer in 2003. There is little doubt as to who Cincinnati will likely draft with Heisman winning quarterback Joe Burrow is sitting right there to be picked up for the perfect football story for the kid from Ohio.
That meant that most of the reactions this week, even by the beat reporters, were riddled with direct reference to that reality or sarcasm. This rubbed a few fans the wrong way, but honestly we’ve all watched a single win team this whole season. The least we can do is make light of another loss, and especially one which could help really turn this franchise around.
The Dolphins are picking apart the Bengals' zone defense so far.
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) December 22, 2019
CHRISTIAN WILKINS IN ON THE TANK
— Bengals Perspective (@bengalshandle) December 22, 2019
Great opening drive by the #Bengals defense. Easily allow the Dolphins to take the "lead" without much resistance.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 22, 2019
Important start.
This team is so embarrassing sometimes. How do you not break that up?
— Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) December 22, 2019
Bengals are so bad. It’s horrific to watch really. Awful #bengals #drafttime #burrow
— Ross. (@daltontoaj) December 22, 2019
That touchdown catch and delayed reaction from everyone waiting for a call was the perfect representation of this game.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 22, 2019
Dolphins march down the field for an easy scoring drive. Miami up 7-0 with 8:32 left in the first.
— Santa Baby (@Ben_Baby) December 22, 2019
Live look at the Burrow-ometer: pic.twitter.com/XCYWheflfY
Alright #Bengals fans, what are you rooting for today? #TankBowl
— Elite Andy Dalton (@EvilAndyDalton) December 22, 2019
All I want for Christmas is for the Bengals to lose #BungleforBurrow
— JJ (@JJMania70) December 22, 2019
Most Bengals thing ever part 4532148654: giving up a touchdown to a defensive tackle.
— Brian Beaudry (@Bri_Guy_11) December 22, 2019
Dolphins playing like they want Tua.
— President of John Ross fanclub (@PatrickJudis) December 22, 2019
The hell is William Jackson doing
— Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) December 22, 2019
never seen wj3 play the ball that badly
— john sheeran (@John__Sheeran) December 22, 2019
Dude if this team isn’t tanking right now this is a 10 year rebuild
— Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) December 22, 2019
... and the #Bengals are on the clock
— Santori Miles (@santori_miles) December 22, 2019
— Willie Anderson (@BigWillie7179) December 22, 2019
The #Bengals have started this game like they partied at LIV last night.
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) December 22, 2019
The bengals are making the dolphins look like a super bowl contender @CincyProblems
— flow god (@HenryFossett) December 22, 2019
13-0 Miami pic.twitter.com/L0DeTl7PGa
— Matt Carey (@matthewdean12) December 22, 2019
It's the DeVante Parker show in the first quarter. #Bengals
— Tyler Dragon (@TheTylerDragon) December 22, 2019
#Bengals currently winning the Burrow Bowl against the #Dolphins after another Miami touchdown. 0-14. pic.twitter.com/GL2qECEDpK
— Oppo Taco Tuesday ⚾ (@Earp777Wyatt) December 22, 2019
Bengals playing absolutely perfect today, I love it
— Chase Carñes (@chase_carnzie) December 22, 2019
Behind enemy lines. #TankBowl #Bengals #BungleforBurrow pic.twitter.com/YP8rMFfGzP
— Eric Short (@ShortRound1976) December 22, 2019
WJ3 IN ON THE TANK
— Bengals Perspective (@bengalshandle) December 22, 2019
not sure you can dispute this with a clear mind. this is beyond anything we've seen this year. https://t.co/9vqsldLLU5
— john sheeran (@John__Sheeran) December 22, 2019
the tank is in https://t.co/jWtDO2nGYy
— Jake (@Jake_NFL) December 22, 2019
Great decision by the #Bengals opting for a field goal from the 1-yard line. Keeps the Dolphins at a double-digit lead.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 22, 2019
We call that field goal from the one-yard line while down 14 “The Burrow”
— Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) December 22, 2019
Bengals now 0-for-4 on third downs today.
— Santa Baby (@Ben_Baby) December 22, 2019
Bengals fans are ready pic.twitter.com/oU0Mvn1Ere
— Andrew Abramson (@AbramsonFL) December 22, 2019
With the 1st pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select...
— Andre Perrotta (@andreperrotta13) December 22, 2019
This game living up to the hype in every way imaginable.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 22, 2019
They have a better QB. That's all.
— Jeaux Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) December 22, 2019
#Bengals taking the tank a little too literally on that last play. Actually running backward now.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 22, 2019
— Jake (@Jake_NFL) December 22, 2019
Bengals drive chart for the first half:
— Santa Baby (@Ben_Baby) December 22, 2019
Three-and-out
Three-and-out
Field goal
Three-and-out
Three-and-out
Three-and-out
BREAKING: today’s Bengals game vs the Miami Dolphins has been flexed to Cartoon Network at 1pm EST
— Not Zac Taylor (@NotZacTaylor) December 22, 2019
I know, I know... Joe Burrow.
— Josh Kirkendall (@Josh_Kirkendall) December 22, 2019
But nothing about this team makes me feel like they're on the upswing at all.
I know, I know... offseason and roster building.
But nothing about this front office makes me feel like they know what they're doing (at least without Marvin).
All #Bengals fans today. #BungleforBurrow#SeizeTheDEY #FinsUp pic.twitter.com/Czi4hXdgHp
— Elite Andy Dalton (@EvilAndyDalton) December 22, 2019
Bengals can't capitalize on the turnover. Andy Dalton gets strip sacked and the Dolphins recover.
— Santa Baby (@Ben_Baby) December 22, 2019
Live look at the Burrow-meter: pic.twitter.com/iOMq5SynSh
ryan fitzpatrick slaying the life out of the bengals right now pic.twitter.com/yFTx5Woz60
— aj (@joemixonfan) December 22, 2019
Cincinnati just exhaled
— Santori Miles (@santori_miles) December 22, 2019
Tyler Boyd and Dalton connect in a great display of effort and a little history
In the second half, when the game felt lost, Dalton and Boyd combined for a rare bright spot from Sunday. Boyd made an incredible effort to pull in a tough catch, and then worked his way into the endzone. It ended up being an important one for Dalton, and one that got Boyd closer to an important milestone.
.@andydalton14 finds @boutdat_23 for a 4th down TD.
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 22, 2019
Big Levels™ | #SeizeTheDEY pic.twitter.com/PzOFB4EJWv
Zac Taylor tough on his wideouts after the game last week. Tyler Boyd beats his one on one for the TD. That's a concept. #Bengals
— Reggie Wilson (@ReggieWilsonTV) December 22, 2019
That's a pure effort TD by Boyd
— Kenny the Jet (@Kenny_Smith17) December 22, 2019
tyler boyd so elite bruh
— PlayboiTae (@JohntaeM97) December 22, 2019
Literally playing against Boyd in a fantasy title game. Are you fucking kidding me. I HATE THIS TEAM
— Cal V (@50calvy) December 22, 2019
Love the effort by Boyd! One of the few bright spots on this team
— Max (@Maxfarias23) December 22, 2019
Great catch and effort by Tyler Boyd for 34-yard TD reception on 4th-and-3 .... .200th TD pass of ANdy Dalton's career... two-point fails so 28-12 #Dolphins lead #Bengals
— Richard Skinner (@Local12Skinny) December 22, 2019
Tyler Boyd's chemistry with Andy Dalton is lowkey elite. What a TD
— THE 49ERS WILL BE THE DEATH OF ME (@FinessSingh) December 22, 2019
Tyler Boyd is a guy you can build around. They just need like 9 more of those dudes.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 22, 2019
The last time someone other than A.J. Green recorded back-to-back 1000+ rec yd seasons was 2006-07 when Chad Johnson and T.J. Houshmandzadeh both did it.
— Nick Manchester (@NickManchester9) December 22, 2019
Tyler Boyd is only 69 yards away
Darius Phillips provides a brief moment of momentum
If you’re a fan looking for a reason to be happy this Sunday, look no further than Phillips. He only played sparingly after William Jackson left the game with an injury. However, he made the biggest defensive play of the day.
Career interception number 2 for Darius! https://t.co/jSDEgoYuJz
— Marisa Contipelli (@BengalsMarisa) December 22, 2019
Darius Phillips is definitely a part of the Bengals future. Promising potential on D and special teams.
— Andre Perrotta (@andreperrotta13) December 22, 2019
Darius Phillips now with as many career interceptions as William Jackson III (2).
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 22, 2019
Great play by Darius Phillips. Interception going against Davante Parker.
— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) December 22, 2019
When given a chance, Phillips has impressed at CB.
And after the TD, Bengals CB Darius Phillips makes a great play on the ball and picks off Ryan Fitzpatrick.
— Santa Baby (@Ben_Baby) December 22, 2019
This could get interesting.
WHAT DID I SAY?! https://t.co/9ewTfnxwSX
— President of John Ross fanclub (@PatrickJudis) December 22, 2019
Post game bliss
The wait is finally over, and everyone can relax. The Bengals accomplished the tank. The next step isn’t a certainty by far. Who knows if Burrow will be the one, but at least we didn’t have to sit through this season and end up with the second overall pick.
Now we can all actually root to absolutely embarrass the Browns next week without being concerned with screwing anything up.
Warning: Lots of Burrow picks, GIFs and general hype for the Bengals next quarterback to come.
(Full transparency some of these tweets came before the Bengals’ comeback that sent the game to overtime.)
Bengals are bad......but Joe Burrow with the number one pick sounds pretty nice.. pic.twitter.com/5yZWNvTSya
— Joe Hennessy (@JosephKHennessy) December 22, 2019
Ive never been so happy to see the bengals lose before... time for broadway Joe to take over
— Jackson (@JacksonRoy81) December 22, 2019
Marvin Lewis would have more than one win with the Bengals right now Greg... Zac Taylor will get another year, but let’s not act like Taylor has proven himself..... at all
— James Rapien (@JamesRapien) December 22, 2019
— Bungles Problems (@BengalsProblems) December 22, 2019
Joe Burrow welcome to @Bengals
— Marshall fanatic (@marshal_fanatic) December 22, 2019
Joe Burrow, welcome to Cincinnati
— Calamity Jones (@MrE07738724) December 22, 2019
Joe Burrow: Fuck #Bengals pic.twitter.com/XlL0xrUs4l
We’re gonna get a quarterback! Thank you sweet baby Yoda! #Bengals
— Cereal Pharrell (@De_Here) December 22, 2019
Huge win (loss) for the #Bengals. They’re No. 1! They’re No. 1! https://t.co/bk9j6pdqIX
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) December 22, 2019
Great day to be a Bengals fan!
— CLNN (@CLePzZ) December 22, 2019
This is the best Bengal season ever
— Herro Ball (@TanNoBURN) December 22, 2019
I’ll let you know when Joe Burrow Bengals jerseys are on pre-sale on our site
— Mark (@markomlor) December 22, 2019
The Bengals won today, despite the score. #BungleForBurrow
— Mike (@Mstaats13) December 22, 2019
This is the dumbest tweet of all time. You don’t draft scared. If you whiff on QB you’re able to draft another in 2-3 years, not 10. https://t.co/NMli5bXIiB
— Who Dey Ninja (@HibachiBlogger) December 22, 2019
week-long reverse jinx worked. one day i’ll grow up.
— john sheeran (@John__Sheeran) December 22, 2019
i’m drained. happy holidays.
Good 4th Q for Dalton enhanced his trade value.
— Andre Perrotta (@andreperrotta13) December 22, 2019
Thank you, Dolphins!
— Rebecca Toback (@Rebecca_Toback) December 22, 2019
The team and this coaching staff have fight, which is good. The Club has the 1st overall pick in the 2020 Draft, which is great.
— Andre Perrotta (@andreperrotta13) December 22, 2019
IT'S OVER!!! THE BENGALS HAVE DONE IT!!! #BUNGLEFORBURROW pic.twitter.com/UHvLPkkOs7
— Cincinnati (@CincyProblems) December 22, 2019
That did not go the way I expected, but mission accomplished. pic.twitter.com/HC1mlZy1w9
— Jeaux Goodberry (@JoeGoodberry) December 22, 2019