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Crosby finds calm amid chaos to kick Packers to victory
Written by Sports Desk. Posted in NFL. | 11 October 2021 | 605 Views
Tags: American Football, Cincinnati Bengals, Green Bay Packers, Nfl

Mason Crosby bounced back from three successive missed potential game-winning field goals to kick the Green Bay Packers to a dramatic victory over the Cincinnati Bengals by finding his calm amid a remarkable finish.

Crosby missed from 36 yards and 51 yards either side of Bengals kicker Evan McPherson failing from 57 yards and then, following a Joe Burrow interception that put the Packers deep in Cincinnati territory, sent a 40-yard effort wide left in overtime.

However, McPherson was no good from 49 yards in the extra period as Cincinnati wasted another chance to bring an absorbing battle of 3-1 teams to a close, and Crosby did not spurn his fourth opportunity from the same distance to seal a 25-22 triumph for Green Bay.

Speaking to Peter King for his Football Morning in America column after the game, Crosby said: "Sounds boring, but I've been in it for a long time, and make or miss, you move to the next one.

"You kinda go through the process for a play or two and then you have to reload. When [head coach] Matt [LaFleur] came right down to me he just said, 'What are you thinking?' And of course, I wanted to kick it.

"It's my job. I just keep resetting. I haven't missed many kicks the last few years. Unfortunately, it came in a little bit of a cluster here, but I know my ability and when everything is smooth and good, we go out there and execute.

"It was another opportunity. Just couldn't believe with how crazy this game was that we had another chance.

"But when there's chaos, when the challenge gets even higher and the pressure gets greater, you have to find that calm.

"I'm able to do that. I want to be out there. If you get too high, you won't find that calm."

While the game will ultimately be remembered for the kicking misadventures of Crosby and McPherson, there was history for Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers.

Rodgers' touchdown pass to Davante Adams in the second quarter saw him go outright fifth on the all-time list with 422 for his illustrious career, moving him ahead of Philip Rivers.

He will hope to add to that tally when the 4-1 Packers visit the 3-2 Chicago Bears on Sunday.