For the Bengals, It Turns Out to Be a Field of Dreams

CINCINNATI —  A native Californian who had never played in snow and a rookie kicker who had never made a game-winner decided one of the coldest games in Cincinnati Bengal history.

Former UCLA Bruin Danny Farmer caught three long passes in a tying touchdown drive and Neil Rackers made a 27-yard field goal as time ran out, rallying the Bengals to a 17-14 victory Sunday on a field as nasty as the weather.

“It was cold and miserable, and we all had to deal with it,” said Bengal running back Corey Dillon, who lost two fumbles. “My head is just numb.”

The Jaguars (7-8) outplayed the Bengals most of the wind-blown afternoon. The snow-covered, torn-up field came into play and helped decide the coldest game in Jaguar history--9 degrees with a wind chill of 20 below.

Mike Hollis slipped and fell during a 28-yard field-goal attempt that would have put the Jaguars ahead, 17-7, with 4:37 to play. Hollis’ second miss of the season gave the Bengals (4-11) a reprieve and left the Jaguars fuming.

“It’s by far the worst field I’ve played on in my career,” said Mark Brunell, who completed 19 of 28 passes for 170 yards and a touchdown. “There were holes six inches deep. It’s a dangerous field to play on. You’re risking your careers out there.”

The Bengals plan to replace what’s left of the grass in the off-season. For one last game, the treacherous turf provided a real home-field advantage.

After Hollis fell, a Bengal offense that had managed only 158 yards put together an 80-yard drive to tie the score. Farmer, a Los Angeles native who had never experienced playing in the snow before Sunday’s game, caught passes of 38, 22 and 19 yards against a defense that suddenly went soft.

On third and 19 from the Bengal 11, Scott Mitchell lofted a pass, and Farmer out-jumped two defenders for a 38-yard gain that got the drive going.

“I thought I was going to freeze to death,” Farmer said. “The coldest I’ve ever played in before today was 38 degrees.”

Mitchell scrambled 12 yards for the tying touchdown with 3:22 to play, putting Cincinnati in position for another improbable last-game victory at home. The Bengals have the NFL’s worst record since 1990, but have won their final home game in eight of the last 10 seasons.