Joe Kinsey
Videos by OutKick
And just like that, MY Bengals are moving on to the AFC Championship
Well, fellas (and the loyal ladies who love Screencaps…I hear from many of them), I don’t know what to say other than I’ve gone through a transformation from being a Bengals fan who just figured the worst was coming to a fan who believes this team is just going to figure out a way to win. It is the weirdest feeling in my sports life.
If you read the Saturday Screencaps opening monologue, you would know that I was honest to god not nervous over Saturday’s game. It was seriously a house money game. Win…great. Lose? It was a helluva season and they can build off of it.
Now here I sit 24-hours later and I’ve purchased a plane ticket to go watch the AFC Championship with my dad just across the bridge into Marco Island. I’ve also purchased an Evan McPherson jersey that will hang in my basement. I’m not big on jerseys, but I had no choice but to back up my bravado.
Other fans will hang their Chase and Burrow jerseys. I’m going in the opposite direction and honoring the 22-year-old native of Fort Payne, Alabama.
It’s funny. I sat there alone in the basement thinking about Fat Randy Bullock beating the Bengals with some last-second field goal. And then I tweeted out one more request to the football gods who have been so giving over the last six weeks or so.
Approximately 45 seconds after I hit send, Tannehill’s pass was tipped, the Bengals came down with the interception and 30-seconds on the clock. I immediately called my dad as the offense got into range for the game-winner. My dad’s TV is about five seconds in front of mine and he promised not to ruin the ending.
You guessed it. He couldn’t help himself. He blurted it out. I tested out the basement soundproofing and yet another streak for this franchise was over. They’re now 1-8 all-time on the road in the playoffs.
Bengals to the AFC Championship.
• I had no idea this tweet would resonate with so many people and I definitely didn’t intend to trigger wounds that are raw for some. This is me taking the advice of Screencaps readers who are adamant about using my time wisely and with intentions that will pay me back ten-fold.
Here are some of the great messages that rolled in after the game:
• Todd B. slid into the DMs after the win to write:
I don’t know you from Adam. But I know we both love Paulina. You love the Bengals. So my first thought after the w was to dm a stranger. Congrats.
• From Murph:
I live an hour from Cincinnati and I could hear the roar as soon as McPherson’s kick split the uprights.
• Jason S. writes:
This loss guts me to my core. I was at the first-ever game they were the Titans and they played the Bengals. Titans won with a last-second field goal. Had season tickets for 5 years until we moved to VA.
That said, sportsmanship dictates that I extend a hand of congrats. Kick ass from here forward.
• Even Steelers fans were excited! Tom H. writes:
BIG TIME Steeler fan here. BUT I was pulling for your Cats tonight to get an AFCNorsk team into the SB. Enjoy it. I believe whoever won this game between TN and Cincy will go to SB. See you there.
• Sean K. writes:
Bengals beat Titans after Burrows sacked nine times! Enjoy the bragging rights over Clay my friend!!!
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I’m still not sure if Clay knows I’m a Bengals fan or even cares. He’s busy. I get it.
• Remember how at the top of this column I wrote about the loyal group of women who enjoy Screencaps? Laura L. slid into the emails Saturday as I was prepping the basement for the game.
I am a faithful reader of Screencaps, and I wanted to thank you for all you do, every day for all your readers. Thanks for providing a place that is happy and uplifting, as well as informative. From gumbo, to travel plans, to neighborhood beers, to golf, and so much more-you encourage your readers to drive the content. We are blessed to have you at the helm.
BTW, my husband Jim is a proud member of the TNML. The John Deere tractor was my gift to him a number of years ago. Best gift I ever got him! I consider myself a retired member, since I used to cut the half-acre of grass at this house when I was a kid, with a push mower (we bought the house from my mom in the ’90s.) Perhaps an OGTNML t-shirt would be appropriate?
God bless you and I hope your Bengals win!
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I remember those push mowers well. Those were the first mowers my father would let my brother and I operate. He would drop us off at houses to mow lawns with those sweat-creating machines and then he would pick us up an hour later. I can vividly remember the breeze in those trucks from the vent windows. These football coaches who put kids through all sorts of drills could save time by having the kids mow lawns around town with push mowers.
Thank you for bringing back good (and sweaty) memories, Laura.
• Here’s the latest meal photo from Mike T. & Cindy T.’s Mexican winter vacation:
Little change of pace as we went out for lunch today so I could watch the playoffs! Tried a new place we hadn’t eaten at before, El Tazik Takos! We ride the bus here in PV and I’ve noticed large crowds of Nationals eating here as we ride by. As you know, we are the adventurous type, so off we go.
Fantastic spot, great El Pastor and his Salas, popped! The bbq onions super all in all a winner! Lunch for 3 , 15 USD
• Robert D. writes:
Hello Joe, just wanted to let you know your contributions to Outkick are much appreciated I joined because of Jason Whitlock and was very disappointed when he left and thought I probably would also but I stuck around because of you.
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That’s quite an honor to hear something like that, Robert. I can’t hold a candle in the wind to the accomplishments Whitlock has had over his long career. All I can do is offer up something that I think is severely lacking from the Internet — a place for the common man and woman of this country.
Not every edition of Screencaps is going to be award-winning, but hopefully, you guys can take something away from these posts that make you think, laugh or help you get through another day of life.
I’ve been around hundreds of Internet writers and I know how they think about the common person. They look down on such people. They laugh at blue-collar America. The backbone of this country are the people who read Screencaps. I hear from them every single day.
So thank you for sticking around. Hopefully, I can keep this train rolling along.
• I thought some of you might be interested in what youth around the country are up to:
• Speaking of youth, a clipper system began to move through in the early morning hours and it’s still snowing. It’s the first real snow of the year for my kids and it’s time to get them out on the slopes with their sleds before a relaxing day of playoff football. They’re excited. I’m excited. It’s time to do some family stuff.
Enjoy your Sunday.
Email: joekinsey@gmail.com
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I’m really not an Aaron Rogers apologist but …. Is ANYONE claiming Rogers’ career accomplishments compare in any way to Tom Brady’s ?? … Does Terry Bradshaw’s or even Joe Montana / Steve Young / Bart Starr / etc compare to Tom Brady’s?
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Is “compared to Brady” the new standard by which all NFL HoF QB candidates are to be measured?
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In the mid 70s in Kansas City, there was a VERY popular “TV Weather Girl” – name long forgotten. Her presumed job requirements were … (1) tight short skirt … (2) stilettos … (3) ALWAYS stand with your side profile to the camera. She is likely in her 80s by now ??? As I recall her personal appearances at sponsor locations were always well attended ….
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Apparently current Serbian / Mexican TV producers follow that time-tested strategy. Human nature NEVER changes ..
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