Coming into the weekend, Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard wasn’t a household name outside of Ohio. He grew up in the state, went to Ohio State collegiately and has spent his entire five-year career with the Bengals thus far.
After Sunday night, Sam Hubbard is going to be a recognizable name in most football circles. That is because he was part of one of the most memorable playoff sequences in the Bengals’ franchise history.
Cincinnati was hosting their AFC North rivals, the Baltimore Ravens, on Sunday Night Football during Super Wild Card Weekend. Despite not having Lamar Jackson in the lineup, as he continues rehabbing his knee injury, Tyler Huntley had the Ravens in position to take the lead early in the fourth quarter.
On first down, Huntley had a pass attempt to fullback Patrick Ricard tipped at the line of scrimmage and the pass fell to the ground. On second down, Gus Edwards was stonewalled at the Vonn Bell and Germaine Pratt, setting up a huge third down, which is when Sam Hubbard came through.
Huntley attempted to reach the football over the goal line on third down, but he came up short. Linebacker Logan Wilson knocked the ball out of his hands, forcing a fumble. The ball landed in Hubbard’s hands, who chugged 98 yards for the scoop and score, giving the Bengals a 24-17 lead, which ended up being the final score of the game.
In the process, Sam Hubbard has found his way into the NFL record books. The 98-yard return is the longest go-ahead defensive touchdown in the fourth quarter of playoff history. In addition, it is the longest fumble return touchdown in the history of the playoffs.
While Sam Hubbard’s recovery and run is going to be memorable play in Bengals’ lore, it wasn’t the longest defensive score in postseason history. It is the longest since 2020 when Taron Johnson of the Buffalo Bills had a 101-yard interception return for a touchdown. That play also came against the Ravens.
In the game, Sam Hubbard totaled four tackles and one quarterback hit in addition to his touchdown. He has been a key contributor in the team’s defensive line rotation, picking up 6.5 sacks and 60 combined tackles in 15 regular season starts.
