Dec. 17, 2000 – Cincinnati Bengals 17, Jacksonville Jaguars 14 at Paul Brown Stadium
The Bengals rallied from a 14-7 deficit with 10 fourth-quarter points, including Neil Rackers’ 22-yard field goal at the gun to win one of the coldest games in Cincinnati history with a game-time temperature of 9 degrees. Peter Warrick’s 82-yard punt return tied the game at 7-7 in the third quarter, and Scott Mitchell’s 12-yard run with 1:15 remaining tied it at 14-14. The Jaguars fumbled the ensuing kickoff, setting the stage for Rackers’ game-winning kick.
›› Bengals are double-digit underdogs for first time in more than a decade
Dec. 17, 1995 – Cleveland Browns 26, Cincinnati Bengals 10 at Cleveland Stadium
Vinny Testaverde threw two touchdown passes, and Matt Stover kicked four field goals as the Browns snapped a six-game losing streak in what was a surreal scene in the franchise’s final game at Cleveland Stadium before moving to Baltimore to become the Ravens.
›› Former Bengals player still going strong with Vikings at 39
Dec. 17, 1989 – Cincinnati Bengals 61, Houston Oilers 7 at Riverfront Stadium
Leading 45-0 in the third quarter, Bengals coach Sam Wyche called for an onside kick that Bengals executed on the way to the biggest rout in franchise history. Wyche, who was quoted as saying “I just don’t like Jerry Glanville” afterward, tried to chase down the Oilers coach after the game but Glanville charged toward the locker room, prompting Wyche to gleefully wave goodbye as his nemesis ran off the field. The 61 points tied the franchise record, which also was set against the Oilers exactly 17 years earlier. The Bengals also set a team record with 35 first downs, and their 584 still ranks third in franchise annals.
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Dec. 17, 1988 – Cincinnati Bengals 20, Washington Redskins 17 (OT) at Riverfront Stadium
The Bengals appeared headed toward a Saturday afternoon defeat when the defending Super Bowl champion Washington Redskins lined up for a 29-yard field goal attempt with 29 seconds left in regulation. But Chip Lohmiller’s kick went off the upright to send the game to overtime, where Jim Breech won it with a 20-yard field goal to clinch the AFC Central Division title at 12-4. Buffalo lost at Indianapolis the following day to give the Bengals the No. 1 seed in the playoffs, which they rode to Super Bowl XXIII.
›› Mixon returns to Bengals practice
Dec. 17, 1983 – Minnesota Vikings 20, Cincinnati Bengals 14 at the Metrodome
Tony Galbreath ran for a pair of 1-yard touchdowns in the fourth quarter to rally the Vikings in the Saturday afternoon season finale. Ken Anderson threw a touchdown pass to Dan Ross, and Larry Kinnebrew ran for a score to stake the Bengals to a 14-7 lead before Minnesota’s Wade Wilson directed back-to-back scoring drives for the victory.
›› Zimmer says Marvin Lewis should coach Bengals for as long as he wants
Dec. 17, 1978 – Cincinnati Bengals 48, Cleveland Browns 16 at Riverfront Stadium
The rout enabled the Bengals to close the season on a three-game win streak after a 1-12 start. Ken Anderson threw for 256 yards with touchdown passes to Archie Griffin and Don Bass, while Pete Johnson ran for what would stand as a career-high 160 yards, including a 12-yard touchdown. Griffin also threw for a score to Rick Walker.
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Dec. 17, 1972 – Cincinnati Bengals 61, Houston Oilers 17 at the Astrodome
Lemar Parrish returned two interceptions for touchdowns as part of a franchise record 28-point fourth quarter in the season finale that also included a 63-yard interception return by Neal Craig. The Bengals trailed 10-3 in the second quarter before scoring 58 unanswered points. Doug Dressler ran for touchdowns and caught another one from Ken Anderson to highlight the offense.
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