Bengals’ Evan McPherson almost made history — until Packers robbed him

KD Jain

Bengals’ Evan McPherson almost made history — until Packers robbed him image

Cincinnati Bengals kicker Evan McPherson almost rewrote NFL history books if not for the last-second timeout by Green Bay Packers head coach Matt LaFleur.

With one second remaining to halftime at Lambeau Field, coach Zac Taylor sent the kicker out on the field to try and make good on a 67-yard field goal attempt. It was an ambitious attempt to add three points and breach the NFL record of 66-yarder set by former Baltimore Ravens kicker Justin Tucker.

McPherson went ahead and kicked the ball through the uprights, but the officials signaled a timeout from the Packers, denying McPherson from getting into the NFL history books.

    

The officials ruled that the timeout was granted before the kick, and as per NFL rules, the play did not count. McPherson was forced to retake the field for another attempt. The retake was well short, lacking power and accuracy. This would also mean that McPherson's personal best will stay at 64 yards.

Evan McPherson becomes fifth fastest kicker in Bengals history

Though Evan McPherson wouldn't have liked being denied to make a record, he would rejoice in the fact of becoming the fifth fastest kicker in NFL history to reach 100 career field goals after he later converted a 45-yarder in the fourth quarter. With the kick, he cut the lead to 17-10.

As far as NFL history goes, Justin Tucker holds the record of achieving 100 career field goals in just 50 games. Since the stat is not well tracked, it's unknown how fast McPherson was among all NFL kickers.

The one record McPherson still holds to this date is the most consecutive field goals made in a single postseason, with 14 successful attempts. He did so in the Bengals' 2021 playoff run. Meanwhile, Adam Vinatieri, while playing for the Indianapolis Colts during the 2006-2007 playoffs, went 14-for-15 in successful field goal attempts.

 

 

KD Jain

KD Jain is a freelance writer with The Sporting News. He has written for several well-known publications, including ClutchPoints and FanSided. His favorite athletes are Clayton Kershaw, Brad Marchand and LeBron James.