Buffs in the NFL: Mason Crosby’s Strange Day

It’s uncommon to see an NFL kicker receive a second chance at a game-winning field goal. Four such opportunities, however, are basically unheard of. That was until Sunday’s contest between the Green Bay Packers and Cincinnati Bengals. Entering the game, Packers kicker Mason Crosby had made a franchise-record 24 consecutive field goals dating back to the start of last season. He continued that streak to begin Sunday’s game. Despite missing his first extra point attempt in the second quarter, Crosby drained two field goals of 44 yards and a 22-yarder that came with 11:20 remaining in the fourth quarter. Minutes later however, the train came off the tracks.

With the game tied at 22, Crosby missed from 36 yards with 2:12 left in regulation, from 51 yards on the final play of regulation, and then again from 40 yards with 8:12 left in overtime. All three of those attempts sailed wide left. But the 37-year-old NFL veteran redeemed himself by connecting from 49-yards out with two minutes remaining in overtime to give the Packers a 25-22 victory.

“The fact that we kept getting opportunities, you’ve got to give it up to our team, the way we fought to get in that position again and I just wanted so badly to come through there. It’s what I do. I had a couple go bad there and was really happy to hit that one,” Crosby told the media following the win. In what was a cool moment on the field after the game, the 15-year veteran Crosby also parted some advice to Bengals rookie kicker Even McPherson who missed two field goals of his own down the stretch.

Crosby wasn’t the only former Colorado Buffaloes player that had an impact in the game. Bengals defensive back Chidobe Awuzie combined for six tackles and two passes defended in the loss, which included an interception of an Aaron Rodgers pass in the first quarter. More importantly, according to Pro Football Focus’ Andrew Russell, in primary coverage against receiver Davante Adams, Awuzie held him to just six catches on 10 targets for 88 yards. Nose tackle Josh Tupou also got the start for the Bengals and assisted on three tackles.

Elsewhere around the league, Houston Texans running back Phillip Lindsay carried the ball five times for 19 yards in a 25-22 loss to the Patriots. Offensive tackle William Sherman also saw his first action of the season for New England, playing in 22 percent of the teams’ special teams plays. New York Giants right tackle Nate Solder took all 68 offensive snaps during the teams 44-20 loss to the Dallas Cowboys. Philadelphia Eagles linebacker Davion Taylor registered four combined tackles in a 21-18 win over the Carolina Panthers. A week after a career-high 99 receiving yards against the Bengals, Jacksonville wideout Laviska Shenault Jr. avoided multiple Tennessee Titans defenders during this lone reception that went for 58-yards in the Jaguars 37-19 loss.

Ravens corner Jimmy Smith registered a tackle and defended a pass in Baltimore’s 31-25 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Monday night. While Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Ahkello Witherspoon was inactive for week five.