Eagles, Bengals Slog to First Tie Since 2002

As the early games drew to a close Sunday afternoon, FOX made the right move. The Eagles-Bengals game was going to overtime in Cincinnati, and most of the country was given a chance to watch Philadelphia's first possession.

After Donovan McNabb led a glorious three-and-out, avoiding his fifth turnover of the game, FOX's Curt Menefee announced that "NFL rules" prohibited FOX from showing the rest of the game. Just before CBS was about to start coverage of their doubleheader games, we had the plug pulled.

And we missed history.

The Eagles and Bengals fought, scratched, clawed, and bumbled their way to a 13-13 tie in Cincinnati. It marks the first tie in the NFL since November 10, 2002, when the Steelers and Falcons played to a 34-34 tie. That game was infinitely more exciting than this one.

In reality, it's probably the correct and totally justifiable result. McNabb was terrible, missing on 30 of his 58 passes, throwing three picks, and losing a fumble. The Bengals are just terrible in general. Despite an extra quarter of football, they ended up short of 300 offensive yards, and they missed on a glorious chance to win the game late in overtime.

A Philadelphia penalty for roughing the passer gave the Bengals great field position, and they were able to drive the ball to the Eagle 29. From there, Shayne Graham honked a 47-yard field goal try that would have won the game.

The NFL's blackout rules may be stupid, but they can also be quite merciful. This is four hours out of the lives of diehard Philly and Cincy fans that they'll never get back.

Latest NFL Photos

GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 16: Quarterback Kyle Orton #18 of the Chicago Bears fumbles the ball which was recovered by Jason Hunter of the Green Bay Packers and returned for a 54 yard fourth quarter touchdown during NFL action at Lambeau Field on November 16, 2008 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Packers defeated the Bears 37-3. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kyle Orton

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers kicker Matt Bryant (3) celebrates with teammates, from left, Josh Bidwell, John Gilmore and Jerramy Stevens after kicking a 29-yard, fourth-quarter field goal against the Minnesota Vikings during an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

GREEN BAY, WI - NOVEMBER 16: Head coach Lovie Smith of the Chicago Bears leads his team against the Green Bay Packers during NFL action at Lambeau Field on November 16, 2008 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. The Bears were defeated by the Packers 37-3. (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Lovie Smith

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Tampa Bay Buccaneers quarterback Jeff Garcia (7) scrambles away from Minnesota Vikings' Kevin Williams (93) during the fourth quarter of an NFLfootball game Sunday Nov. 16, 2008, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)

New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton watches his team play the Kansas City Chiefs in the first quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008, in Kansas City, Mo. The Saints won 30-20. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas (23) slips past Kansas City Chiefs defensive end Alfonso Boone (70) as he picks up 16 yards in the third quarter of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008, in Kansas City, Mo. Thomas rushed for 88 yards in the Saints' 30-20 win. (AP Photo/Ed Zurga)

Golfer Tiger Woods watches the NFL football game between the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Minnesota Vikings from the sidelines during the third quarter Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008, in Tampa, Fla. (AP Photo/Steve Nesius)

New Orleans Saints running back Pierre Thomas (23) runs through Kansas City Chiefs' Turk McBride (90), Rocky Boiman (50) and Bernard Pollard (49) in the first half of an NFL football game in Kansas City, Mo., Sunday, Nov. 16, 2008. (AP Photo/Reed Hoffmann)

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Ryan Fitzpatrick (11) throws under pressure from Philadelphia Eagles' Quintin Mikell (27) and Chris Gocong (57) during the first half of their NFL football game in Cincinnati, Ohio, November 16, 2008. REUTERS/John Sommers II (UNITED STATES)

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Houston Texans running back Steve Slaton (20) carries the football while Texans tight end Owen Daniels blocks for him against the Indianapolis Colts during the first quarter of their NFL game in Indianapolis November 16, 2008. REUTERS/Brent Smith (UNITED STATES)

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

11-16-2008 @ 5:07PM

jeff said...

Makes sense that the Eagles have never won a Superbowl and are the only team in the NFC East with an all time losing record ??

11-16-2008 @ 5:34PM

jake said...

absolutely right
mcnabb keeps putting off the win
"we have to play better"
week in week out
overhaul is required
starts with mcnabb
IMMEDIATELY!

11-16-2008 @ 5:37PM

lol said...

McNabb is really killing it for his team. He better not be playing through some hidden injury trying to be Superman. Stupid Donovan McNibbles. Seriously to me he's just another Culpepper.

11-16-2008 @ 5:45PM

kp50 said...

McNabb and Reid must go

11-16-2008 @ 5:50PM

Rick said...

The bumbling Eagles led by the mumbling Andy Reid. Just listen to his post game interviews, pathetic. Philadelphia fans getting what they deserve another season of frustration. Their short lived glory of a World Series win is now long forgotten as they watch their beloved Eagles fail time after time. Looks like last place in the NFC East is the destiny they deserve.

11-16-2008 @ 6:49PM

Linda said...

Today's game SUCKED.. Andy and and McNabb need to go.. There was NO REASON why we didn't win today's game... McNabb is only colloecting a paycheck.... It's almost Thanksgiving, time for McNabb to get hurt.... Happens every year... PHILLY, let's run McNabb and Andy out of Philly.. We need a new Head Coach and a new Quarterback....

11-16-2008 @ 8:23PM

Curtis said...

Seriously, if you can't beat the Bengals, your team needs serious help.

11-16-2008 @ 7:57PM

czinkel said...

I love how all of the Eagles fans cheer McNabb and Reid and think they are the best coach and quarterback in the NFL when they win. But after a loss, they are the worst coach and quarterback in the league. Philly by far has the worst fans in all of sports.

11-16-2008 @ 10:12PM

Keltic740 said...

Agree with kp50, Reid and McNabb both are highly overrated. McNabb looked like he just didn't give a s**t. If I were from Philly, would be highly P.O.'d.

11-16-2008 @ 11:27PM

tfshea said...

You gotta be kidding. Eagles played liked they didn't give a crap! McNabb and Reid gotta go!

11-16-2008 @ 11:32PM

Ben said...

Dude, McNabb didn't even know that the game would end in a tie if time ran out during the overtime period before either team could score. If the NFL is your life and career, how do you not even know the rules? I wouldn't be surprised if Andy Reid didn't know that rule either. Is it any wonder that this team botches so many last-minute drives?

How does the Bengals' Bob Bratkowski still have a job? He is the worst offensive coordinator in the league. When your team is averaging under 2 yards per carry, you probably don't want to call a running play on 3rd and 6 when converting would likely be the difference between winning and tying. He did this more than once during the game!

I couldn't agree with the last sentence more. I want those 4 hours back.