Without resorting to hyperbole, I will admit my mouth unhinged slightly when I watched an NFL replay titled Jerome Simpson (Bengals) Touchdown Endzone Flip. I thought it might be a receiver’s quick jump into the endzone to avoid tacklers. But this touchdown is something else.
In today’s game against Arizona, Simpson takes the pass from quarterback Andy Dalton in the second quarter and begins running along the sideline, looking for the endzone and quick seven points. But a Cardinals defender is running towards him at the one-yard line and Simpson then does the incredible: he leaps over the tackler and makes the landing, on his feet, a touchdown!
First, let’s break this down: Simpson could’ve spun or stiff-armed or even taken the hit. But he decides to jump over a mammoth football player, exposing the ball to be possibly hit out of his hand. Simpson’s confidence is impressive, and he not only gets the touchdown but sticks the landing.
Simpson is an unassuming player – he doesn’t get the media attention Calvin Johnson enjoys, and he isn’t racking up TDs like Dez Bryant – but Simpson is a dangerous weapon for the Bengals: he’s averaged 15.7 yards per catch this season, and has caught nine passes for 20+ yards.
But Simpson has never done anything as astounding as today’s feat.
This play has all the makings of the best touchdown of the season: a quick move guided by instinct, as acrobatic as can be, as if Simpson has been a gymnastic tumbler in the offseason. It was also an important touchdown, giving the team a clutch 17-0 lead in a must-win game.
The Bengals ended up winning the game 23-16, and are in the running for the final AFC wild card.
But no matter what happens to the Bengals, I’ll remember their 2011 season with this incredible catch and run. Can any play this season top it? We’ll find out.
