The Cincinnati Bengals, as expected, generated a ton of reactions during their Sunday night primetime playoff game against the Baltimore Ravens in the opening round of the postseason.
It certainly helped that the Bengals, despite being big favorites, hit the halftime tunnel down 10-9 before eventually winning courtesy of a record-breaking defensive touchdown by Sam Hubbard and then getting lucky that a last-second Hail Mary attempt wasn’t completed.
But some chippy play between the bitter rivals, key injuries and the long-term ramifications of the game’s outcome played a big role in the massive reactions after the game went final.
Here’s a sampling of the best reactions as the Bengals next head to the divisional round to play the Bills.
So many storylines with the Bengals heading to Buffalo to play the Bills in the Divisonal.
Best news is Damar is on the road to recovery, of course.
Cannot wait for this anticipated matchup.
Whoooo Dey!
On to the divisional.
— Andre Perrotta (@andreperrotta13) January 16, 2023
Last year after the first playoff win the dominant feeling was Joy and rightly so. I'm sure there's still some of that tonight, but I would imagine relief is mostly the feeling for players and fans alike #Bengals
— Dylan Streibig (@DoubletoughDyl) January 16, 2023
For the first time ever the Bengals have won playoff wins in back-to-back seasons.
Joe Burrow also has the most playoff wins in franchise history as a starting QB.
— Patrick Carey (@PatCareySports) January 16, 2023
Sam Hubbards td most definitely won the game
— Tristen Shifflett (@PlaystationTris) January 16, 2023
Great teams win bad games.
Baltimore executed to get the exact type of game they wanted while the Bengals had one of their sloppiest games of the season.
And Cincinnati still won. That’s what great team do. Find a way. #RuleTheJungle
— Matt Edwards (@MattEdwards) January 16, 2023
Ravens.. Tough opponent, but they are always a hard team to beat!
— The Bengal Smurfette (@TrinaAnn411) January 16, 2023
I can finally breathe. Oh my
— Lindsay Patterson (@LndsPatterson) January 16, 2023
Just like a 2 year old, I had to hide under the covers and plug my ears on those final plays. Whew! WhoDey!!!
— Karin Johnson WLWT (@karinjohnson) January 16, 2023
Playoff football sometimes isn’t pretty.
Bills narrowly beat Dolphins with a backup QB and the Bengals do the same. What matters is winning. See you in Buffalo pic.twitter.com/SvNlTVe5vB
— 🐅 (@stripe_city) January 16, 2023
WhooooooooDey Ya BISH
— T.J. Houshmandzadeh (@housh84) January 16, 2023
Whit said he knows he can play LT
Just sayin
— Codiki (@codiki) January 16, 2023
Wasn’t close to pretty tonight but great job stepping up by the defense
— Nick Crago (@FearDaTiger009) January 16, 2023
I guess the Bengals transformation is complete because there is absolutely no way they would’ve won that game any prior point in my lifetime before last year
— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) January 16, 2023
I can't follow #Bengals games on my phone anymore. Y'all are gonna kill me
— Ronnie Kutys (@Kutysv) January 16, 2023
Doesn’t matter how you do it.
Good teams find a way to win.
No matter what.
— Patrick Carey (@PatCareySports) January 16, 2023
Playoff wins two years in a row! Never thought I’d be able to say that. Enjoy it, Cincinnati
— Nick Crago (@FearDaTiger009) January 16, 2023
WHODEY
— Jonathan India (@JonathanIndia) January 16, 2023
Real credit to the team Zac has built that we win that game. Years gone by you get overmatched and beaten up in that situation. Not pretty, but it doesn't need to be. Who DEY
— Nathan Palmer (@palma4) January 16, 2023
Ugly, ugly game. Lots to fix and address in a week's time. But the Bengals survived and still have a chance.
— Chris Roling (@Chris_Roling) January 16, 2023
What’s Sam Hubbard ca$happ or something. I wanna buy him a beer!
— Jacob Haugh (@Haugh_Edits) January 16, 2023
Not much celebrating as they walk into locker room. Lot of head shakes and exhales.
— Jay Morrison (@JayMorrisonATH) January 16, 2023
Bye Bye Baltimore
— Teth-Adam (@DCRezz) January 16, 2023
I'm gonna need to borrow Sam Hubbard's oxygen. https://t.co/lgExxgEfjX
— Vance Meek (@vancemeek) January 16, 2023
Me after this win. pic.twitter.com/F685nDWxMI
— Patrick Carey (@PatCareySports) January 16, 2023
