Al Michaels surely seemed to bet that he had ended up in the Chiefs-Bengals game

We do not know if Al Michaels really bet Sunday night between the Chiefs and the Bengals. But the veteran of the game, calling the game to the national audience of NBC, certainly sounded as he did – and was not at all pleased to have lost his bet.

Michaels is well known for his references in live gaming and he was back at the end of the fourth quarter of what would become a 45-10 win in Kansas City. It is important to note that it was also the score of the moment in question and that the total of the two teams totaled 55. It is very important to note that, at the time of sending, the number of dead spots / minus for the game's was set at 56.5.

The Chiefs drove quite easily down the field for the umpteenth time of the game and ended up playing fourth and fourth in the Cincinnati 5-yard line. If it was earlier in the game, even with a huge lead, Kansas City would probably have opted for a placement. But with only 4:21 left, the team took a sportier approach and maintained their attack on the field.

[If the Chiefs can play any defense at all, they’re next to impossible to beat]

Of course, it was not totally out of the question for Chiefs Coach Andy Reid to claim a pass in the end zone, since he generally kept his foot on gas while allowing the Patrick Mahomes quarterback to take a record start. this season. But it was more likely that Reid would run, as he had done in nine of the previous eleven games during the drive. In any case, Michaels was very interested in what was going to happen.

Knowing that Kansas City fans were roaring at the sight of the team's offensive on the field, Michaels started saying, "And to the crowd …" before analyst Cris Collinsworth mingled with " … wants blood "

"Well, yes," Michaels went on, "but I'm trying to do some math here." After Collinsworth responded, "What's still dangerous," said Michaels, "You know what I'm thinking about.

"56 and a half is a figure that many fans are currently thinking about."

Having more or less stated that he was well aware that the game of the fourth bottom could determine if the game was a failure, Michaels watched Mahomes give the ball to save the half-offensive Spencer Ware on a swept game left enough pedestrian. The Bengals, expecting a race in this situation, have hardly been fooled and stopped Ware before it reaches this area, causing a "hunh" less than passionate from the advertiser.

As if to make sure that all the frustrated players who were watching at home knew that Michaels was feeling their pain, he hesitated, took his breath between his teeth and offered another "hunh".

Of course, no chance of reaching the final point was taken, as the Bengals recovered the ball with enough time to organize a meaningless touchdown. But Cincinnati replaced quarterback Andy Dalton by backup Jeff Driskel, giving the third-year player his first experience in the NFL and telling him that in reality it was over.

For Michaels, it was only the latest example of his acute awareness of these game factors in the games he covers, and a particularly unobtrusive example. In all honesty, it was undoubtedly even more blatant there are two seasons when he noted a score of 31-17 at 22 seconds from the end of a game between the Packers and Lions , according to which "it was just a little below where some would like to see it wind up. "

Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford then sent Hail Mary's pass to the end zone. As the ball was still in the air, Michaels said "hearts are beating all over the country right now". When the pass is connected to the Lions wide receiver, Anquan Boldin, pushed the score above a certain magic number, says Michaels, "Well, it's upsetting."

"I've had a lot of fun with that over the years, coming into a backdoor, a side door, whatever the different ways to use the English language, people know what I'm talking about," said Michaels before the start of the season. "But in the past, when I did that, it was almost like the fans were thinking," He's not supposed to, but it's pretty cool. "

Fred Gaudelli, executive producer of "Sunday Night Football," had said at the time: "There will be no specific message on gambling on the air this year," but he added that "Late in the fourth quarter, I have a naughty in the cabin. "

This rascal emerged this week to the delight of those who love his references to the game so slightly veiled. And really, what else was he supposed to be talking about at this point of the imbalanced game, his enthusiasm for Jeff Driskel Experience 's imminent debut?

Never change, Al. (Spoiler alert: it will not do it.)

Read more about The Post:

DeVante Parker agent says dolphin coach Adam Gase "incompetent" and liar

Eric Reid calls Malcolm Jenkins "sold out" after showdown in Panthers-Eagles game

Purdue's amazing surprise has thrown a gnarled key into the playoff landscape

The Cowboys injured by a call as a result of contestable instant offense on the tying goal after a loss against Redskins