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Bengals Flashback: 3 Big Moments vs. Vikings

By Eric Bruns

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 17: AJ McCarron #5 of the Cincinnati Bengals at the line of scrimmage in the fourth quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 17, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - DECEMBER 17: AJ McCarron #5 of the Cincinnati Bengals at the line of scrimmage in the fourth quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings on December 17, 2017 at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Hannah Foslien/Getty Images) /
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Cincinnati Bengals
Quarterback Jeff Blake, Cincinnati Bengals (Photo by George Gojkovich/Getty Images) /

Dec. 24, 1995 – Second half comeback to beat Vikings at end of season

Older fans like myself will remember these as the Bungles years. 1995 was the height of the Bungles and filled with sadness while they were between Boomer Esiason and Carson Palmer. The ‘95 season began in the red. The Bengals took Ki-Jana Carter with the first overall pick in the 1995 draft expecting him to be a bright spot they could build a future around.

Unfortunately, during the first preseason game Carter suffered an ACL tear, and since medical technology wasn’t where it is today that was basically a death sentence for a football player.

His career never recovered due to injuries and by 2000 he was not on the Bengals roster anymore only having played 35 games in a five-year span.

But do you know who did play in the 1995 season as a running back for the Bengals? Eric Bieniemy. That’s right, so maybe we can lure him back to Cincy one day.

The Vikings would not fare much better in their 1995 campaign, only finishing one game ahead of the Bengals. The Vikings had 12-year Vet (and Personal favorite) Warren Moon who was in his second season in Minnesota. He played quite well as usual finishing with 4,000+ passing yards and 33 touchdowns.

Moon would showcase his talents in the first half of this Christmas Eve game against the Bengals with two touchdown passes for 51 and 14 yards. Also, the Vikings D got an interception and returned it for a touchdown.

However, the second half was a different story.

Jeff Blake began to connect and finished the game nearly keeping pace with the future Hall of Famer Moon. Also, Bieniemy took a carry-in for a score as well. The Bengals shut out the Vikings in the second half and won the game 27-24.

In a game that meant nothing for the Bengals, it is nice to see them fight for pride and not give up after being down 24-0 at halftime.

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