Colston Loveland capped off one of the wildest games in recent NFL history. The backdrop was simple. Both the Chicago Bears and Cincinnati Bengals knew a loss in that game could torpedo their seasons. That is why it was played with a near-frantic energy. Things seemed relatively tame in the first half as Cincinnati led 20-17. Then things went off the rails. In 30 minutes of football, the two teams combined for 52 points. That includes 21 in the final 1:43 of the game. All of it was capped by Loveland, a rookie tight end, taking it 58 yards to the house with 17 seconds left to stun the Bengals.
It was undeniably the craziest game of the season, and you can bet the radio calls of that final play reflected the emotions involved. We’ll start with the great Jeff Joniak. As usual, he captures the intensity of the moment as Caleb Williams took the snap, and his voice hits another octave when Loveland breaks those two tackles to break free.
By contrast, you can almost sense the dread from Bengals announcer Dan Hoard. He’d seen that defense implode too many times already. Sure enough, his crushing disappointment settled in as Loveland broke free.
Colston Loveland provided a moment the Bears haven’t seen in a long time.
The last one that comes to mind is Eddie Jackson’s pick-six against Detroit on Thanksgiving in 2018. That was when Bears fans knew something special was happening with that team. It’s hard to say where the Bears are headed. All they know is they’re 5-3 with a huge opportunity to build momentum or a playoff push. The fact that Colston Loveland, their prized 10th overall pick, was the one who got them here is a great sign for their future. It was why they drafted him. GM Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson both felt he could change games.
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Joniak must be thrilled about it. He hasn’t had many chances to call a wild win like that in years. Usually, the Bears are on the wrong side of such games. That sequence was a reminder of how great he can be when the team is successful.