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‘Cold-blooded’: NFL rookie’s epic line before game-winning kick

Kicker Evan McPherson of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates after hitting the game winning field goal to give the Bengals a 19-16 win over the Tennessee Titans in the AFC Divisional Playoff game at Nissan Stadium.
Evan McPherson (pictured) celebrates after hitting the game winning field goal. Pic: Getty (Andy Lyons via Getty Images)

Cincinnati Bengals rookie kicker Evan McPherson has ice in his veins.

His clutch 52-yard game winner to secure a 19-16 victory over the Tennessee Titans and a spot in the AFC Championship game is evidence of that.

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But it’s what McPherson said just moments before stepping on the field in such a high pressure situation that shows how cold-blooded the 22-year-old really is.

Speaking to reporters after the game, Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow revealed that McPherson had told teammates they were going to win the game with his kick.

“That guy is unbelievable,” Burrow said.

“He was talking to (Bengals backup quarterback) Brandon (Allen) as he was going out to kick, gave a little warm-up swing, and he said, ‘Looks like we're going to the AFC championship.’”

Evan McPherson lives up to his promise

Sure enough, McPherson lived up to the promise, perfectly splitting the uprights as time expired. Burrow said he never doubted McPherson would make the kick.

“We knew exactly what we had as soon as he walked in the building during camp,” Burrow said.

“We saw how he carried himself and we knew exactly how he was going to perform.

“How you handle yourself in the locker room shows us you have the confidence to go out there and make a kick like this and perform the way he did during a game like this.”

McPherson finished the game a perfect 4/4 on field goals with makes from 54, 52, 45 and 38 yards.

The kicker nicknamed ‘Money Mac’ leads the NFL in field goals made from 50-plus yards this season, making 11 of his 13 attempted from beyond that range.

McPherson said he didn’t even watch to make sure the game-winning kick went through, saying it felt good off his foot.

“As the kick was sailing through the air, like I do normally, I guess, which is good and bad, I turn to (holder) Kevin (Huber) whenever I know I hit it good and I don't even watch the ball go through,” McPherson said.

“We've seen it be a bad thing, but this time it was a good thing. I looked at him and he said: 'You did it!'

“Pretty much all that was going through my mind is we get one more game, we're guaranteed one more game. We get another chance to go out, win one more game and get closer to our goal.”

McPherson said he wasn’t fazed by the enormity of the moment, but rather relished the opportunity to be the hero.

“It's a kicker's dream to have the game on your shoulders,” McPherson explained.

“It's my job to stay cool, calm and collected in moments like those. I was just so happy for my team to put me in position to succeed and give me the opportunity to win the game.”

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