The Green Bay Packers earned a bold and convincing 27-18 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals at Lambeau Field, controlling much of the game and securing a comfortable nine-point margin. While the win strengthened Green Bay’s position in the NFC, the Bengals were left reflecting on a missed opportunity, a near-record moment that kicker Evan McPherson narrowly failed to achieve.
The game unfolded largely as expected, with the Packers showcasing their balance and consistency on both sides of the ball. The triumph marked their third win of the season, improving their record to one of the best in the NFC at .700, just as the Detroit Lions stumbled in their matchup against the Kansas City Chiefs.
Despite the success, Green Bay drew criticism for one controversial in-game decision. A call during the matchup prevented McPherson from attempting a potentially historic long-range field goal, a moment that could have written his name into the NFL record books. For the Bengals, it was a loss that hurt twice: in the standings and in history.
Evan McPherson’s almost-record kick stuns fans in Packers victory
The play that could have changed NFL history unfolded dramatically at the end of the first half, when Joe Flacco led the Cincinnati Bengals to midfield. With just one second remaining in the second quarter, kicker Evan McPherson lined up for a 67-yard field goal attempt, a distance that could have made him the new record holder for the longest kick in NFL history.
The crowd at Lambeau Field watched in disbelief as McPherson launched a perfect strike that sailed high and straight toward the uprights. For a moment, it seemed the impossible had become reality.
The ball appeared destined to split the posts, but just before it did, the referees blew the whistle, the play was called off. Packers head coach Matt LaFleur had used a timeout, one of his three allowed in the half, just seconds before the snap. The decision erased what could have been a historic three points for the Bengals and left McPherson visibly frustrated on the field.
After the timeout, McPherson was given a second opportunity to rewrite history, but this time, fortune did not favor him. His next attempt lacked the same precision and power, falling short of the goalpost and ending the half scoreless for Cincinnati.
What could have been a record-breaking moment turned into a heartbreaking one instead. Though the Packers went on to defeat the Bengals 27-18, fans and analysts alike were left wondering what might have been had that first kick counted.
Who had the record of the longest kick in the NFL
To understand the magnitude of Evan McPherson’s near-record kick, it’s necessary to revisit September 26, 2021, when Justin Tucker etched his name into NFL history. In a thrilling regular-season clash between the Baltimore Ravens and the Detroit Lions, the Ravens trailed 16-17 with seconds left on the clock.
Then came the moment of destiny, Tucker lined up from 66 yards and delivered a thunderous strike that bounced off the crossbar and through the uprights, sealing the victory and setting the longest field goal record in NFL history.
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