Written by Joseph Coblitz at Bloguin
Sunday night’s game between the 8-1 Bengals and 7-2 Cardinals finished off in dramatic fashion. After a very low scoring first half, both teams ran the length of the field multiple times in the final two quarters, putting up 44 points in the second half after just 21 in the first two quarters.
After an Andy Dalton touchdown with less than four minutes left brought the Bengals within three, they were able to quickly get the ball back and tie the game on a 43 yard Mike Nugent field goal. With less than a minute left, however, Carson Palmer and the Cardinals were able to storm down the field on three plays, all completions of at least 18 yards, two to Larry Fitzgerald.
After spiking the ball with 20 seconds left, Bruce Arians decided to stand pat for the 47 yard attempt and Palmer kneeled to wind the clock down so Cincinnati wouldn’t have a chance after the attempt. When preparing to spike the ball before the kick, however, Domata Peko of the Bengals was called for unsportsmanlike conduct, moving the Cardinals half the distance to the goal and essentially sealing Arizona’s 8th win.
The penalty was called a “phantom call” by Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis and after the game, Peko adamantly argued that he was actually saying “get set” and not imitating the quarterback’s hike call in an effort to get the Cardinals to go off-sides.
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