Cincinnati Bengals running back Chase Brown found himself at the center of attention after making a decision during Sunday night’s game that sparked debate among fans, particularly in fantasy and betting circles. With 1:52 left in the game, Brown completed a 30-yard touchdown run instead of sliding down short of the goal line. His decision gave the Bengals a 10-point lead and sealed a 17-7 victory, covering the point spread and undoubtedly making some fantasy football players happy. However, the choice also left the door slightly ajar for the New York Giants to make a last-ditch comeback attempt.
30 for 30
Chase Brown breaks one to all but ice this one
— Jay Morrison (@ByJayMorrison) October 14, 2024
Brown’s touchdown, while securing the win, allowed the Giants a faint hope of tying or winning the game. With enough time left on the clock, the Giants could have potentially gone down the field, scored, recovered an onside kick, and scored again. If Brown had instead slid down short of the end zone, the Bengals could have run out the clock with quarterback Joe Burrow taking three kneel-downs to secure a 10-7 victory without giving the Giants any chance.
Brown, reflecting on the play, acknowledged that in the heat of the moment, his instincts kicked in. “When there’s a lot of space like that, I’m just wired to finish the play,” he explained, adding that he should have been more aware of the game situation. Recognizing the mistake, he noted that sliding down would have ended the game right there.
Bengals head coach Zac Taylor addressed the situation after the game, agreeing that Brown should have slid but also taking full responsibility for the lack of communication. Taylor pointed out that it wasn’t Brown’s job to calculate the remaining timeouts and play clock in the heat of the moment. “That’s on me. One hundred percent on me,” Taylor said. “I don’t expect our guys to do math in the huddle.” While Taylor admitted the miscommunication, the Bengals ultimately came away with the win after the Giants missed a field goal late in the game, giving Burrow the chance to kneel and secure the victory.
In Monday’s team meeting, Taylor used the opportunity as a coaching moment. He referenced a 2022 game between the Browns and Jets, where a similar situation occurred. Cleveland’s Nick Chubb scored a touchdown late in the game when sliding down would have ended it. The Jets capitalized by scoring quickly, recovering an onside kick, and pulling off a comeback victory. Taylor emphasized that these types of mistakes can be costly and stressed the importance of avoiding similar situations in the future.
In hindsight, the Bengals emerged with the win, but Taylor made it clear that leaving the outcome to chance is never ideal. His message to the team was simple: while securing a 17-7 win feels good, ensuring a 10-7 victory with no room for error is far better. Taylor acknowledged that it’s a lesson for both him and the players, emphasizing the importance of situational awareness and clear communication to prevent unnecessary risks.
