The Cincinnati Bengals had the game wrapped up. It was over. Cedric Benson's one-yard touchdown run with under a minute to play had given Cincinnati a 7-6 lead. It capped a long drive that ate much of the game's final five minutes.Unfortunately for Cincinnati, the drive didn't eat enough time. Broncos quarterback Kyle Orton hooked up with receiver Brandon Stokley for an 87-yard score, giving the Broncos a 12-7 win in one of the more improbable finishes the NFL has ever seen.
Broncos 12, Bengals 7: Read Recap | Check Box Score
Orton was trying hit a long pass to Brandon Marshall on the sideline, but Bengal Leon Hall got his hand on the ball. As two Cincinnati defenders took down Marshall, Stokley came out of nowhere to snare the ball. He had a clear path down the sideline, easily outrunning Bengals linebacker Dhani Jones to the end zone.
In a sly move, the veteran Stokley ran along the goal line for a few seconds before crossing it, burning some more time off the clock. That meant the Bengals only had time for one desperation pass, which was intercepted.
It was a sloppy game, with the Bengals botching a snap on a short field goal attempt, and the Broncos were held well under 250 total yards before Stokley's miracle touchdown. This was likely a surprise for fans of both teams. Denver's defense has been maligned for some time, but put together a marvelous first effort under new coordinator Mike Nolan. Meanwhile, the much-hyped Cincinnati offense had more than its fair share of issues moving the ball and scoring points.
Denver (1-0) hosts Cleveland in Week 2, while the 0-1 Bengals visit Green Bay.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
9-13-2009 @ 4:32PM
nexxtlevell said...
WOW! There I sat thinking the game was over for the Broncos!! WTG and BIG HEADS UP PLAY BRANDON STOKLEY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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9-13-2009 @ 5:12PM
generalchaos said...
kyle orton played well 243 passing yards 1 td no INT he did better then i expected.
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9-13-2009 @ 6:28PM
willhenhnt said...
The late, great Steeler commentator Myron Cope would have been the perfect guy to call that play: "Yoi!"
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9-13-2009 @ 6:58PM
joek1017 said...
Being a Bears Fan for over 40 yrs, Denver has a good quarterback in Kyle. He is the real deal and will continue to Best himself.
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9-13-2009 @ 6:58PM
horatiowrd said...
why Gus Johnson is the best!!
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9-13-2009 @ 7:00PM
dwtaives said...
Their not called the Bungles for nothing!
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9-13-2009 @ 9:09PM
bengalonetz said...
Anything that happens that gets aloss for Carson "The Mouth" Palmer to lose is great with me. He is a whining wimp !
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9-13-2009 @ 9:32PM
Jesus said...
when did carson ever whine?
9-13-2009 @ 9:35PM
draw984 said...
Love those plays. Reminded me of how the Raiders used to play and win back in the 70's.
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9-13-2009 @ 9:55PM
simes0513 said...
it's cool
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9-13-2009 @ 10:42PM
jeff said...
ouch that has to hurt hahahahah
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9-13-2009 @ 11:29PM
buzard1bait said...
Another loss for the hapless Bengals. The only way that Cincinnati will ever see good football is for the entire Brown genetic strain to perish in a firey plane crash. Go Bear Cats now there is Cincinnati Football.
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9-13-2009 @ 11:41PM
Mary Carol said...
This game had lousy officiating, and even lousier TV commentators!
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9-14-2009 @ 12:14AM
greg857az said...
They save the "A" list commentators for game with TWO good teams playing, not just one. Same for the officials.
9-14-2009 @ 10:19AM
dwilson said...
my thoughts exactly but you wont hear anyone comment on the officials they get worse every year
9-14-2009 @ 12:16AM
greg857az said...
Kyle Orton has been a Bears fan for over 40 years? I didn't know that.
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9-14-2009 @ 12:17AM
greg857az said...
Kyle Orton has been a Bears fan for over 40 years? I didn't know that.
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9-14-2009 @ 12:23AM
enoisabeast said...
Was ever so glad no see the Cincinnati Bengals aka Bengays lose the way they did. Especially since I have to deal with the tired ass fans talking about how they tied the Philadelphia team as if that was a great accomplishment. Even though this is just the beginning of the football season this should serve notice of exactly how the Bengals season will turn out this year. They are a joke and will be ever so lucky if they even come close to doubling their win total of last year let alone make the playoffs. E-A-G-L-E-S!!!!! EAGLES!!!! EAGLES!!!! EAGLES!!!
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9-14-2009 @ 1:08AM
Marc said...
Now all the fans who were moaning and bitching all offseason about Lady Jay crying his way out of Denver, Shanahan 'The Mastermind' getting undeservedly fired (1 Division title, 1 playoff win in 10 years, the worst Broncos defenses I've seen since 1994), how Coach McDaniels was trying to destroy the Broncos (who by bringing in Nolan fixed the defense significantly enough in ONE YEAR) and Kyle Orton's suckiness can STFU for at least a few days.
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9-14-2009 @ 8:38AM
JFCJR said...
I'm not shutin' up! Orton still SUCKS & McDumbass is still well......A DUMB ASS! Cannot wait for the Broncos pull this "tipped pass" drill on every series of downs throughout the season. Yeah right! Mister offensive genius can only muster up 1 touchdown (a joke play at that) against one of the worst defenses in the NFL. Denver will be DEAD LAST in the AFC West this year. Yesterday convinced me more than ever.......