2021 AFC Wild Card Match
London Monarchs (9-7) at Cincinnati Bengals (11-5)
A rather pedestrian start from the Monarchs, who trail the Bengals 24-3 with 3 minutes to go before halftime. Ben Ryan clicks into gear through, orchestrating two touchdown drives straddling the halftime break, and it's game on at 24-17. That's as good as it gets for London though, as Cincinnati kicks on and at 41-17 the contest is over. A few late points add the specter of respectability, but the season's over for London.
1Q - 07:43 - Bengals 3-0 (Prescott 31 FG)
1Q - 01:33 - Bengals 10-0 (King 1 run, Prescott XP)
2Q - 13:56 - Bengals 10-3 (Bierria 54 FG)
2Q - 10:03 - Bengals 17-3 (Maxwell 5 pass from Bradford, Prescott XP)
2Q - 03:17 - Bengals 24-3 (Bradford 9 run, Prescott XP)
2Q - 00:20 - Bengals 24-10 (Szott 8 pass from Ryan, Bierra XP)
3Q - 12:51 - Bengals 24-17 (Barden 15 pass from Ryan, Bierra XP)
3Q - 05:30 - Bengals 27-17 (Prescott 18 FG)
3Q - 01:50 - Bengals 34-17 (McCormick 27 pass from Bradford, Prescott XP)
4Q - 15:00 - Bengals 41-17 (King 15 run, Prescott XP)
4Q - 11:56 - Bengals 41-20 (Bierra 25 FG)
4Q - 04:06 - Bengals 44-20 (Prescott 26 FG)
4Q - 00:44 - Bengals 44-28 (Hammontree 20 pass from Ryan, 2XP successful)
After winning the Super Bowl by a single point last season, the Panthers would go on to lose this year's game by the same margin to the Broncos.
Morris Claiborne earns All-League First Team honours at cornerback, while Ben Ryan is named to the Second Team.
Unfortunately, I advanced to the next season before printing out the season review, so no statfest for the few who are still reading!