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Posted by: Dan

Sometimes NFL games are won by heroic drives.

 

Other times, they’re won by tipped-ball miracle plays that only happen once in a lifetime.

 

But on Sunday, at historic Lambeau Field, the contest was decided by exceptional offensive play calling as the Cincinnati Bengals edged the Green Bay Packers for a 31-24 road victory. Sure Antwan Odom’s five sacks were sexy and Cedric Benson delivered for OC Bob Bratkowski. But in the end, it was his tremendous play calling that was the difference maker.

 

When his team faced a disheartening 3rd and 34, after poor execution and penalties put the Bengals backs to their own endzone, the man nicknamed “mastermind” by much of the league’s front office personnel dialed up a screen – like few other play callers could – that turned a dismal offensive series into an extended drive, which led to a game-tying touchdown.

 

“It was just a great call by Brat,” said Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer after the contest. “Just a great call at the right time.”

 

It conjured up memories of this sensational call.

 

But Bratkowski – or Brat as he’s known to those closest to him – wasn’t done there.

 

He had to ensure that his team would fight back from last week’s heart-wrenching defeat and secure its first triumph of the season.

 

Again with his team facing a third and long – due to penalties and poor execution by Daniel Coats – Brat called the right play and the right time to get Chad Ochocinco (a player he convinced Cincinnati to select in the 2001 NFL Draft) in the endzone for the game-winning TD.

 

“Just a great call again by Brat,” Palmer said in amazement. “The perfect play with the right coverage.”

 

After another great offensive performance by Brat, isn’t it time for owner Mike Brown to dial up the right call and extend one of the greatest play callers the game has ever seen?