WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE?!
It was a question that NFL fans were asking themselves around the country when Chris Boswell missed his 55-yard field goal attempt in the waning moments of the Steelers’ incredible 23-20 overtime win over the Bengals Sunday. Usually automatic, Boswell booted the ball directly into the right goal post.
Does the win over the Bengals change the Steelers' outlook?
The untimely miss came just minutes after Bengals kicker Evan McPherson, who’s also one of the best in the game, failed to hit an easy 29-yarder that would’ve resulted in a Cincinnati win.
Good thing Ian Eagle was on the call.
The charismatic play-by-play man came up with a succession of hilarious calls during overtime. It’s one thing to describe the action to viewers. It’s another to put some sauce on it.
That’s exactly what Eagle did.
“OH, HE MISSED IT BADLY!,” he screamed after McPherson pulled his kick way to the left.
Eagle’s call on Boswell’s miss was even better. He set up the anticipation perfectly, and when the ball clanked off the upright, he let loose.
“BOSWELLLLLL ….. NO GOOD! WHAT IS HAPPENING HERE?!,” said Eagle.
Eagle and partner Charles Davis were sharp throughout the telecast, picking up where they left off last season. The best example of their clairvoyance came before the final play of regulation, when McPherson was setting up for what would’ve been the game-winning extra point. Eagle and Davis highlighted that Cincinnati had its backup long-snapper on the play.
Sure enough, Minkah Fitzpatrick rushed the middle, and blocked the kick.
Then late in overtime, Eagle astutely questioned why Bengals head coach Zac Taylor punted the ball with 1:03 remaining and about 14 seconds left on the play clock. "Not sure why they're giving Pittsburgh more time. They should have taken that down to a final second,” said Eagle. “At this point if you're Cincinnati, the goal is just to not lose the game.”
Sure enough, the Steelers drove down the field in 56 seconds before Boswell hit a 53-yarder.
Eagle for the win.