Bengals, Panthers end up in a tie
CINCINNATI – Cam Newton re-emerged as dual-threat danger. Andy Dalton missed on only one pass in overtime – a sack-saving throwaway, no less. Back and forth they went, rallying their teams through a pulsating finish.
Mike Nugent’s miss left it tied, unsatisfying and confusing. And perfectly appropriate.
Nugent missed a 36-yard field goal attempt on the final play of overtime Sunday, leaving the Bengals and Panthers in a 37-37 tie – the NFL’s first this season. A game full of big plays and big comebacks was basically a wash.
“It’s a weird feeling,” Dalton said. “I’ve never been part of a tie. You didn’t lose, but you didn’t win. We had our chances and when you don’t win, it’s tough.”
The crowd of 57,053 at Paul Brown Stadium was ready to celebrate when Nugent set up for the final kick with only 2 seconds left on the clock. It was a good snap and hold. Nugent rushed his approach and sliced it wide right.
“That was the worst ball I’ve ever hit in my career,” Nugent said. “My plant foot was way too far forward. I think there was a little excitement. I was a little too quick.”
The crowd stood stunned. The players walked onto the field to shake hands, trying to figure out what it all meant.
“I’m treating it as if it was loss,” said Panthers running back Fozzy Whittaker, who had a 4-yard touchdown run. “We had many opportunities to win it. But it doesn’t hurt as bad (as a loss), I guess.”
With their backfield depleted by injuries, the Panthers turned Newton loose on Sunday. He ran a team-high 17 times for 107 yards, including an 11-yard touchdown in the second half. He also completed 29 of 46 for 284 yards and two touchdowns.
| Carolina | 7 | 3 | 14 | 10 | 3 | – | 37 |
| Cincinnati | 0 | 17 | 0 | 17 | 3 | – | 37 |
Car – Benjamin 3 pass from Newton (Gano kick)
Cin – Tate 5 pass from Dalton (Nugent kick)
Cin – Bernard 89 run (Nugent kick)
Car – FG Gano 39
Cin – FG Nugent 44
Car – Whittaker 4 run (Gano kick)
Car – Newton 12 run (Gano kick)
Cin – Sanu 34 pass from Dalton (Nugent kick)
Car – Olsen 13 pass from Newton (Gano kick)
Cin – Hill 3 run (Nugent kick)
Cin – FG Nugent 38
Car – FG Gano 44
Cin – FG Nugent 42
Car – FG Gano 36
| Car | Cin | |
| First downs | 29 | 29 |
| Total Net Yards | 431 | 513 |
| Rushes-yards | 34-147 | 31-193 |
| Passing | 284 | 320 |
| Punt Returns | 1-5 | 0-0 |
| Kickoff Returns | 6-134 | 2-126 |
| Interceptions Ret. | 2-88 | 1-31 |
| Comp-Att-Int | 29-46-1 | 34-44-2 |
| Sacked-Yards Lost | 0-0 | 1-3 |
| Punts | 1-38.0 | 1-42.0 |
| Fumbles-Lost | 0-0 | 0-0 |
| Penalties-Yards | 8-60 | 13-119 |
| Time of Possession | 39:30 | 35:30 |
INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS
RUSHING – Carolina, Newton 17-107, Whittaker 9-25, Reaves 8-15. Cincinnati, Bernard 18-137, Dalton 4-25, Hill 8-22, Tate 1-9.
PASSING – Carolina, Newton 29-46-1-284. Cincinnati, Dalton 34-44-2-323.
RECEIVING – Carolina, Benjamin 7-49, Olsen 6-62, Avant 5-47, Cotchery 4-58, Whittaker 2-27, Bersin 2-13, B.Williams 1-16, Brown 1-8, Reaves 1-4. Cincinnati, Sanu 11-120, Gresham 6-68, Sanzenbacher 4-40, Tate 4-38, Bernard 4-20, Hill 4-13, Wright 1-24.
MISSED FIELD GOALS – Carolina, Gano 38 (WR). Cincinnati, Nugent 36 (WR).