The Bengals' rookie kicker called his shot before nailing a 52-yard field goal and a trip to the AFC Championship
- Bengals kicker Evan McPherson hit a 52-yard field goal to send Cincinnati to the AFC Championship.
- The rookie called his shot before nailing the game-winner, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow said.
Evan McPherson is clutch.
And, boy, does he know it.
The Cincinnati Bengals' rookie kicker came up big in Tennessee on Saturday, nailing a 52-yard field goal as time expired to down the Titans and send his side to its first AFC Championship game more than 30 years.
But moments before the career-defining boot, McPherson showed no sign of nerves. As he took some practice swings ahead of the kick, the 22-year-old turned to Cincinnati's back-up quarterback and coolly called his shot.
"Well, looks like we're going to the AFC Championship Game," McPherson said, according to Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow.
The Alabama native was the only kicker picked in the entire 2021 NFL Draft, and the unexpected selection paid off majorly for Cincinnati. Less than a year removed from a stellar college career with the Florida Gators, McPherson drilled four game-winners in his debut NFL season.
And on Saturday, he scored 13 of the Bengals' 19 points. He went a perfect 4-of-4 on field goals and nailed an extra point after a third-quarter touchdown.
If McPherson wasn't already considered one of the best kickers in the league, he sure is now.