"Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Keith Rivers called Mike Zimmer "amazing."
Safety Chris Crocker said it was unbelievable how much his defensive coordinator showed he cared about the team just by showing up for Sunday's game.
Bengals coach Marvin Lewis also carried a heavy heart and said there were no words to describe the emotion of what his team had just overcome.
It was yet another intriguing Sunday in "Bengaldom" as Cincinnati took sole possession of first place in the AFC North with a 17-14 victory over the Baltimore Ravens.
The game marked the fifth consecutive thriller for the Bengals (4-1). But the big win was only a backdrop for the heartbreaking situation involving Zimmer, whose wife, Vikki, passed away late Thursday.
Zimmer certainly didn't have to be in Baltimore Sunday.
According to Lewis, Zimmer went back and forth before choosing to travel with the team. The decision worked out well as Zimmer called a terrific game and the Bengals picked up their biggest win of the season.
"Man, it just lifted guys up," Bengals cornerback Johnathan Joseph said of Zimmer's presence. "Once we saw him in practice Saturday morning and knew that he was going with us, it was unbelievable the feeling I had in my stomach."
An emotional Zimmer, who declined to be interviewed Sunday, brought three members of his family to Baltimore to help console him. Zimmer also told the team afterward how much Vikki cared about the Bengals and that, "She's up there now in heaven smiling at you."
The Bengals certainly played as if they were inspired.
Zimmer's defense held Baltimore's high-powered offense scoreless for three-and-a-half quarters. Cincinnati's offense also contributed 403 total yards, which included an 80-yard drive in the final 2:15 to win the game. Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer connected with receiver Andre Caldwell for a 20-yard touchdown with 22 seconds left, which completely took the air out M&T Bank Stadium.
Cincinnati wasn't perfect -- it had two turnovers and seven penalties. But you had the sense early the underdog Bengals weren't intimidated by the hostile environment and, eventually, wouldn't be denied. "
No comments:
Post a Comment