These five Tee Higgins catches will stick in the memories of Cincinnati Bengals fans.
One of the most thrilling games of the previous season for the Cincinnati Bengals was their overtime victory over the Minnesota Vikings, 27-24.
With just 39 seconds remaining in regulation, Bengals receiver Tee Higgins made an incredible, game-tying 21-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Jake Browning, leaving fans with fond memories of the team’s 21-point fourth-quarter performance.
Whether or not Higgins uses the franchise tag to return to Cincinnati, it was surely one of the catches that Bengals fans will remember him for.
Of course, Higgins has made some spectacular catches in pivotal moments such as the 75-yarder he had in the Super Bowl and the catch he made in overtime of the AFC championship game against Kansas City that set up Evan McPherson’s game-winning ( goal.
These, though, truly are jaw-dropping. Five catches from Higgins’ first four NFL seasons that will never be forgotten:
December 16, 2023: Against Minnesota, Higgins’ touchdown reception
Not only did the Bengals require a touchdown pass with just a minute left in the game to tie it, but more. Higgins was tackled, but it took an amazing effort for him to collect the ball in front of Vikings defensive back Akayleb Evans, pivot around, and reach out toward the goal line with the ball.
“Whoa! After leaving the end zone, he returned to receive the ball, make a reverse pivot, and score the touchdown.” Chris Rose, play-by-play commentator for NFL Network, stated.
“What a production! Analyst Jason McCourty continued, “Amazing effort by Tee Higgins, but also the awareness to know precisely where he was on the field when he caught that throw to get it past the goal line.”
December 26, 2021: Against Baltimore, Higgins’ 52-yard reception in double coverage
Many recall the Bengals’ 41-21 victory over the Ravens in Cincinnati, which set a team record for passing yards for quarterback Joe Burrow.
Ask former linebacker Bart Scott of the Ravens.
Towards the close of the first half, Higgins’s 12-catch, 194-yard performance featured an athletic 52-yard reception from Burrow in spite of double coverage.
According to CBS color analyst Trent Green, “it is the highest confidence you can have in a receiver when you throw into double coverage.”
November 1, 2020: Against Tennessee, Higgins makes an unlikely grab on the sidelines
A 31-20 victory over the Titans in Cincinnati during Higgins and Burrow’s debut season of 2020 was one of their most remarkable pairings.
After Burrow rolled to the right and threw under pressure, Higgins soared, caught the ball, and landed in front of former Bengals defensive back Jonathan Joseph with both feet in bounds.
Higgins had six catches for 78 yards at the end of the game.
December 5, 2021: During TD versus. Chargers, Higgins leaps and grabs the ball out of the air.
The Bengals were behind Los Angeles 24-0 at home in the second quarter and things were not going their way.
Then, with two Charger defensive backs all over him, Burrow found Higgins for a 29-yard touchdown reception.
How, in spite of double coverage, did Higgins pull it off? He outran the two defenders.
28 November 2021: Higgins Mosses DB for the Steelers
Early in the second quarter of the Cincinnati Bengals’ 41-10 thrashing of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Higgins caught a 32-yard ball from Burrow.
Pass interference on offense was argued by the Steelers. “There was no push-off” by Higgins on Pittsburgh cornerback James Pierre, said CBS color analyst Trent Green. It was simply an amazing capture.
