The Cincinnati Bengals seemed to get the lion’s share of Christmas miracles this year. Fans and players will be thanking their stars for two back-to-back saving graces, one more important than the other. The first one came late into their Christmas eve game against the New England Patriots. The other one, came mid-flight, on the way back home.
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The Bengals’ flight back home to Cincinnati was rudely interrupted when an engine on their Delta Airlines’ 767-300 plane started giving out. An emergency landing at JFK saw the Bengals’ scheduled 2-hour flight extended to double that time. Fortunately, no one suffered any injuries.
The Bengals were returning from a close win over the Patriots, where their first miracle played a massive part in their win. while the Bengals outscored their opponents 22-0 in the first half, they were on the receiving end in the next half, unable to score. Things really came down to the wire, but a late-game red-zone fumble helped seal the win.
Cincinnati Bengals get a mid-flight crisis instead of a mid-life crisis
WLWT-NBC’s Mark Slaughter was onboard the flight as it landed at JFK. On landing, he immediately took to Twitter to inform fans of their predicament. He also mentioned a co-passenger’s description of the situation, and what was probably everyone’s mindset.
The #Bengals flight from Boston had a failing engine so they landed at JFK and are changing planes as I tweet this, WOW
A person on board told me “A little rough but it was okay! Landed safely”
This really is a #Cincinnati Christmas Miracle
— Mark Slaughter (@MarkVSlaughter) December 25, 2022
Fans are relieved that a possible disaster was averted, and chimed in to praise the Bengals’ immense luck. Some, as always, took to lighten the mood, with a few harmless jokes to help others feel better about the whole ordeal. Some even claim Bengals’ QB Joe Burrow might have had a strong hand in saving the plane.
🧡🖤🧡🖤🐯🏈🎅🎄🦌❄️ #ThankYouSanta
— Becca Westerfield☮️🧡🖤🎶🎸🎙️🎹🔥 (@beccasblues) December 25, 2022
“imma take the bus the rest of the way”
— ILLINI-SZN (@Outlaw1092) December 25, 2022
https://twitter.com/Original_Anees/status/1606850820481638400?s=20&t=3SWGfp4tsZH_xf20Y31ctg
That flight crew should get an mvp award from the league.
— Kenneth M. Cosgrove (@kenmcosgrove) December 25, 2022
https://twitter.com/Patriots6xLFG/status/1606843608883253248?s=20&t=3SWGfp4tsZH_xf20Y31ctg
Rumor has it @JoeyB landed the plane from his window seat.
— Joey (@over__average) December 25, 2022
Per sources, @JoeyB landed the plane
— johnny (@theJuanpercent_) December 25, 2022
Is Joe ok?
— Nick Wright (@NickWright24) December 25, 2022
Belichick still has his fastball
— Alex (@katso1234) December 25, 2022
Fix your fleet @Delta. Protect my franchise.
— Western (A) Mark (@_DunnDeal) December 25, 2022
https://twitter.com/saucegardnermvp/status/1606838152194584578?s=20&t=3SWGfp4tsZH_xf20Y31ctg
The best part for the Bengals will be the fact that they do not have to fly anywhere for quite some time. Their remaining games are all at home, and with 11-4, they have a good chance of winning the AFC North. If they can hold off the Baltimore Ravens, that is. Winning the division would also mean that their wildcard round will be at home.
Sitting in 3rd in the AFC, they are only a slim margin behind the Kansas City Chiefs and the Buffalo Bills. And the Bengals face both the Bills and the Ravens in their remaining games. This means a win against both, could just hand the Bengals a top-two seed in the AFC, granting them a bye week.
With just 2 games remaining in the regular season, the Bengals fans will be hoping some of their Christmas miracles will carry over to their games. Expect a nail-biting season finale for Cincinnati, for their games will surely keep fans on the edge of their seats.