Draw
fitting ending for NFL game in soccer-centric England
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[October 31, 2016]
(The Sports Xchange) - Disappointment,
confusion and anger were among the emotions expressed after the
Washington Redskins and Cincinnati Bengals traveled across an ocean
and showed Londoners firsthand that American football too can have
anti-climactic draws.
Washington kicker Dustin Hopkins missed a 34-yard field-goal attempt
late in overtime and the Redskins and Bengals settled for a 27-27
tie on Sunday at Wembley Stadium in London.
"I don't know how to react. I didn't think it was possible to tie. I
know there was a tie last week in Arizona, but I was like, 'how the
heck did they tie'?" Redskins coach Jay Gruden said. "Now we know."
A game which evolved into a second-half shootout ended with a
scoreless overtime in a sport where, unlike soccer, draws are rare.
The Redskins drove from their 22-yard line to the Cincinnati 16 and
Gruden called for Hopkins on third down with 2:13 remaining in
overtime. He appeared to win it, but Bengals coach Marvin Lewis had
called timeout before the snap. On his second attempt, Hopkins was
wide left.
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The Bengals (3-4-1) then drove to near midfield, but on third-and-1
from their 46, Will Compton forced an Andy Dalton fumble. Washington
couldn't get within field-goal range and Kirk Cousins' Hail Mary
attempt fell far short.
Washington (4-3-1) tied it at 27-27 on Hopkins' 40-yard field goal
with 1:08 left in regulation.
Cousins threw for a career-high 458 yards on 38-of-56 passing, with
two touchdowns and one pick.
Jamison Crowder had nine catches for 109 yards a touchdown. Jordan
Reed, returning after missing two games with a concussion, had nine
receptions for 99 yards and a score.
The Redskins were penalized 15 times for 106 yards. Five were
called on cornerback Josh Norman, four for illegal use of hands, and
three were accepted by Cincinnati.
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![](../images/103116pics/sports56.jpg)
Washington Redskins' Dustin Hopkins misses a kick in over time
Action Images via Reuters / Paul Childs Livepic
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"Who is official 88?" Norman said, referencing official Brad
Freeman's number.
"He sucked. Just to be honest with you. I'm to going to be
straightforward. He was terrible and I feel he like should be
reprimanded. I feel like some of the plays that was going on out
there, it was terrible."
Dalton wasn't particularly sharp, completing 27 of 42 passes for 284
yards with one touchdown and one interception. The Bengals rushed
for 152 yards.
"Obviously not winning the football game is a disappointment," Lewis
said. "We had opportunities on both sides of the football to win the
football game. For the time, energy and everything invested in it,
that's what you want to get."
Added Dalton: "Feels more like a loss than anything."
(Editing by Andrew Both)
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