The Cincinnati Bengals were on the verge of scoring their first touchdown of the season midway through the second quarter Sunday against the New England Patriots.
The Patriots had other ideas with a wild play on the goal line to win a score.
With 5:18 left in the second quarter, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow looked to pick off tight end Tanner Hudson over the middle of the field on a third-and-11 from the New England 25-yard line. Hudson picked off the pass and ran through the Patriots’ secondary for what appeared to be a sure touchdown.
But as he reached the goal line, Patriots safety Kyle Dugger made a play that saved a touchdown. Dugger knocked the ball out of Hudson’s hands just short of the goal line. Cornerback Marcus Jones recovered it and returned it 17 yards to the Cincinnati 18-yard line.
The Patriots converted the turnover into a field goal to take a 10-0 lead.
Here’s another look at the play. Hudson left the ball exposed inside the 5-yard line and Dugger took advantage to prevent the score.
This play sums up a stunning first half in Cincinnati. With Burrow back healthy and Ja’Marr Chase in the lineup amid a contract dispute, the Bengals should return to championship contention this season after an injury-plagued 2023 season.
The Patriots, meanwhile, are in the midst of a rebuild and are considered one of the worst teams in the league. The first half of Sunday’s game told a different story, thanks in part to New England’s defensive play.