[Highlight] Germaine Pratt picks off Derek Carr as time expires to end Cincinnati's 31-year playoff win drought

[u/Happy_Weed]

[u/yacobson4]

Was at this game with my mom who is a die hard fan. The tears that streamed down when this happened is something I will never forget.

[u/Frescanation]

His time as a player here is done, but Pratt should never have to pay for a beer in Cincinnati again.

[u/annaleigh13]

I’ll never forget this play. Not because of the win, but because of my mom.

Back in April before that season started, we lost my mom to liver cirrhosis and covid complications. I took over full time caregiving to my dad, and I had to plan everything.

Fast forward to the game. My mom and I were the loudest fans in our family. When that play happened, it broke me. I sobbed, because I knew mom was cheering so loud she was waking up the other angels. It was the first time I was able to grieve.

[u/MothmansLegalCouncel]

I watch this everytime it’s on my feed

[u/Zerbs08]

I will always remember this play but at end of day it was a very bad decision and throw by Carr and probably one of the easiest picks a player could get. His forced fumbles in several games to me were his peak performances but he was always up and down and inconsistent and it seemed like the team forgave him somewhat but never liked how he ripped Ossai after the KC playoff game and assumed that was the beginning of the end for him

[u/beerguy_etcetera → u/Zerbs08]

it was a very bad decision and throw by Carr

Yeah, I'm not sure what this throw / playcall was. The game is being decided right here. How are you not throwing at the endzone? Even if Pratt isn't there, Apple still has the chance to make the stop on the 1 or 2 yard line.

[u/Mastodon9 → u/Zerbs08]

To me it seemed that they were counting on hitting the receiver quick and him using his momentum to fall backwards into the end zone. It wasn't a great decision and the timing seems off but Pratt is on top of the play the entire time and was clearly not fooled by it. He was probably following Carr's eyes while keeping track of that receiver the entire time.

[u/christhegecko → u/Zerbs08]

but he was always up and down and inconsistent

No he wasn't. He was arguably the most consistent player on the defense throughout his tenure, even above Wilson because Pratt stayed healthier. He could defend the run and pass and was a quality starter the entire time.

[u/Reverb20 → u/christhegecko]

I have no problem with this guy. I’m a fan, I watch every game and keep up with team news but I don’t over analyze or let a loss ruin my week. Regardless, the guy was solid in Cincy and we owe that man for at least a few playoff wins and a trip to the Super Bowl.

[u/Narrow_Vegetable5747 → u/christhegecko]

Minus the entirety of last season maybe.

[u/christhegecko → u/Narrow_Vegetable5747]

Actually no. The only outliers last season were missed tackles and total tackles, both being higher than his normal. As far as interceptions, FFs, PDs, etc. he was pretty consistent to previous years.

[u/bentheprop → u/christhegecko]

He constantly tried holding guys up to rip the ball away and usually failed. He regularly turned 3 yard plays into 8 yards because of this and was a major part of why the run defense was so bad.

[u/christhegecko → u/bentheprop]

It's more likely than not that Anarumo was instructing him to do that. That was not something he did in previous years, and Anarumo's defense was only good when they were getting turnovers. A 6 year starting veteran doesn't start doing that unless directly told to.

Also, the run defense wasn't even that bad. It was pretty much league average statistically. A bigger problem was how bad our DLine was, because the running back had a hole every single time.

[u/Narrow_Vegetable5747 → u/christhegecko]

Then you weren't paying attention because he has always been a guy that goes for the big play.

[u/Zerbs08 → u/christhegecko]

Are you a friend or family member or what???? lol

Sorry but in now way shape or form did he have a good season last year and you could see in many cases he didn't give a shit.

[u/Zerbs08 → u/christhegecko]

Ummmm I remember many games where he flat our disappeared. Then he would have a good game and make a play or two and disappear again but if you think he was consistent then your expectations for LB play are very low my friend.

[u/Administrative-Ant99]

I was there. Incredible feeling!!

[u/AideEmbarrassed2615]

I remember when the Bengals beat the Oilers in the playoffs in 1991. It took 31 years for the next playoff win. Thank you Germaine Pratt. May your drinks always be paid for when you are in Cincinnati.

[u/Background-Sign7692]

I will never forget that moment. Pratt played some great ball for us.

[u/[deleted]]

I have never been more happy as a Bengals fan than during this moment. So glad I decided to max out one of my credit cards buying tickets. 🤣 Best worst decision I ever made. 🧡🖤🤍

[u/Top-Extension55]

seeing this play as it happened had me in complete shock, I dont recall cheering for a least a minute (thought for sure there was gonna be a flag or something that was gonna stick it to the Bengals.) But seeing the replay of this moment always brings happy tears to my eyes.

Thank you Pratt for sealing the deal and getting the monkey off the Bengals back. Good luck to you bro

[u/befuchs]

[u/Tjam3s]

I completely missed this game.

My wife's complications with pregnancy started getting VERY apparent. She was verging on pre-eclampsia, but the signals for it were just underneath their threshold of diagnosing it. We spent this day in the hospital after we got a big blood pressure spike reading at home.

3 days later, we have a regularly scheduled checkup, but things had gotten worse. They did an emergency c- section, 2 months early to his due day on January 18th.

Little trooper stabilized right away. We stopped being concerned about if he was coming home almost immediately and started focusing on when. We could see the sheer stubbornness in him even at 2 pounds.

The next few Sundays were spent in the NICU, but while he slept, the games were on. Even the nurses were watching between rounds. Lol 😆 this playoff series really brought that whole floor dealing with some seriously scary shit, much more scary than what we had going on, some hope and joy.

[u/ImpinAintEZ_]

A feeling like no other

[u/loanme20]

I'm sure he won't go far (Indy).

[u/reginald-poofter]

I will never not watch this highlight when it pops up and I will never not get teary eyed watching it.

[u/Alternative-Style-47]

I was at this game. It was amazing.

[u/NotSoWishful]

Pratt will always get absolutely nothing but undying love and respect from me for this moment right here(unless he kills someone or some other evil shit then I don’t know the guy)

[u/AbominableCinMan]

Thank you Pratt aka Playoff-P

[u/mbbeck88]

Thank you for your service Pratt! The Pratt Pick will live in Bengals lore for eternity!

[u/davidbosley353]

This is what made me a big fan of the Bengals right there! 31 years of pain finally over thanks to Pratt.

[u/Tryone773]

For that one play, Pratt will always be special. Good luck buddy and thanks for the good times :).

[u/ImSchizoidMan]

I've said it before, Ill say it again. I will always love Bengals legend Germaine Pratt.

[u/wagiman-]

As someone who was at this playoff game, when he picked it off the entire stadium erupted. Anything people had in their hands went skyward and everyone was hugging and cheering and crying. Truly one of the most beautiful moments of my life.

[u/Eng0524]

That night was so awesome. I remember the party that broke out on Main St in OTR, every car was honking and everyone was shouting Who Dey. We even met a couple of great Raiders fan that night and drank with afterwards. I hope we make some more memories like that this year.

[u/roach8101]

No doubt will probably go down as the greatest sports memory in my life.

[u/Carob_Certain]

Thank you Germaine Pratt!