It's often said that work is good when one experiences a tragedy. That much have been what Cincinnati Bengals defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer felt like this week when his wife died.
Vicki Zimmer, 50, died unexpectedly earlier this week, and the Bengals coach decided to continue working on his defensive plans for the game, despite the fact his wife died. The details on Vicki Zimmer's death have not been released.
A 20-yard touchdown pass from Carson Palmer to Andre Caldwell with 22 seconds remaining gave the Bengals a 17-14 win over the Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore. This was the 3rd straight week that the Bengals performed magic.
In fact, all five of Cincinnati's games this season have been decided by seven points for fewer. To win this one, Carson Palmer had to drive the Bengals 80 yards on their final drive.
In order to do this, the Bengals needed some help, and the Ravens will say they got it, from the officials. There were 3 on the drive: an illegal contact penalty against Chris Carr and an unnecessary roughness call against Ray Lewis. The call that took the cake for Ravens fans though, was a pass interference penalty against Frank Walker on a third-and-16 from the Baltimore 30. That led to the Bengals score.
You have to bet this was a "win one for the Gipper" type moment. The Bengals players had to striving to win the game not just for themselves, but for Mike Zimmer and his courage in coaching in light of Vicki Zimmer's death. The Zimmers were married for 27 years and have three children.
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