5: Week 8 vs. the Los Angeles Rams
Our third and final spike from this Week 8 matchup places fifth on this incredibly scientific countdown. This is on the same drive as the previous two spike plays, only now the Bengals are facing a first-and-goal situation. Dalton has just hit Tyler Eifert for a 14-yard gain to convert a 3rd and 10 situation, and the Bengals as a result of the spike have three cracks at the end zone with 11 seconds remaining:
Despite the situation, this is still a well-executed spike play, and some of the grading reflects that fact:
Situation: 4 points. Again, with such little time remaining the chances that Cincinnati gets a touchdown, an onside kick recovery and another touchdown are similar to my chances at replacing Tom Brady in New England. But as Lloyd Christmas would put it: “So you’re saying there’s a chance?”
Decisiveness: 8 points. Hard to get this ball spiked quicker than the Bengals and Dalton do here. There is no hesitation, #14 gets the troops right to the line of scrimmage and conserves every second possible.
Style: 3 points. Minimal flair from Dalton here, the man is all business on this spike attempt. But his determination counts for something.
Result: 2 points. I almost want to award this spike negative points, because this game ends in the most Bengals way possible. The second down pass intended for Tyler Boyd falls incomplete. Then 3rd and goal from the 4 turns into 3rd and goal from the 9 when John Perry false starts. On 3rd and goal from the 9 Dalton hits Tate for what looks to be a touchdown, but is overturned upon review. Then on the game’s final play, another throw in the direction of Tate falls incomplete.
Total score: 17 points.