Hopefully you're enjoying these ties America, because we've officially hit a golden age of NFL ties.
The Bengals' 27-27 tie with the Redskins on Sunday tied several records for an NFL season when it comes to ties -- and yes, I was trying to use the word tie as many times as possible in that sentence.
For one, the game marked the second week in a row that the NFL treated us to a tie. You probably remember last week when the Seahawks and Cardinals played to a way less exciting 6-6 tie.
The two ties mark the first time since 1997 that there have been two ties in a season. Coincidentally, 1997 was also the last time that we got ties in back-to-back weeks, and oddly enough that streak also involved the Redskins. In 1997, a Ravens-Eagles tie was followed a week later by a Redskins-Giants tie.
Since overtime was instituted in 1974, there have only been three seasons where there have been two ties in a season (1986, 1997, 2016), meaning the two ties this year just tied the all-time record for ties in a season.
Bengals coach Marvin Lewis also tied a record. Lewis just coached the third tie game of his career, tying Bart Starr, who also coached in three tie games (1978, 1980, 1982).
#Bengals Marvin Lewis trying to join Bart Starr (Packers) as only NFL coaches w/3 or more ties since OT started in 1974
— Joe Reedy (@joereedy) October 30, 2016
The Redskins-Bengals game was the first time that a London game had A) gone to overtime and B) finished in a tie.
The tie game in London might've been the first one that fans actually enjoyed because guess what: Everyone in England is used to ties.
As a matter of fact, after the game was over, the soccer jokes were flying on Twitter.
First, let's start with this line from Bengals radio broadcaster Dave Lapham.
"That's a long way to go to kiss your sister" -Lap on the Bengals tie in London.
— Randi Rico WLWT (@RandiRicoWLWT) October 30, 2016
Now, let's get to the soccer jokes. Apparently, everyone wanted to see penalty kicks.
So do the Bengals and Redskins go to penalty kicks? That's how fútbol in London works right
— Adam King (@AdamAndrewKing) October 30, 2016
The Redskins and Bengals end OT in London tied at 27-27. Andy Dalton and Kirk Cousins will now go to Penalty Kicks. #WASvsCIN
— NOTSportsCenter™ (@NOTSportsCenter) October 30, 2016
Do Bengals & 'Skins now go to penalty kicks? #WSHvsCIN#nflinlondon
— Noah Williams (@Bellmanequation) October 30, 2016
Probably not the first tie @wembleystadium has seen. @Bengals 27 @Redskins 27
— Billy Long (@auctnr1) October 30, 2016
Bengals and Redskins, please don't tie in London. Ive spent way too much time arguing w/ British people that soccer games end tied too often
— Jordan Kalish (@JordanKalish) October 30, 2016
Penalty kicks might not have been the best idea -- after all, we did have three missed field goals in the game.
Let's move on.
You know what's worse than an #NFL tie? Flying all the way to London for an NFL tie. #Redskins#Bengals
— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) October 30, 2016
Yea, that doesn't sound like fun.
This guy is the real winner from Sunday.
Me after being the witness to two coworkers betting lunch on the Redskins/Bengals:
— Chadwick M. Fischer (@Fischwick) October 30, 2016
"But if they tie, you all owe me lunch."
Welp. #WhoDey
And the worst part of all this is that no one told Redskins coach Jay Gruden that ties are possible.
Gruden: "I don't know how to react. I didn't know it was possible to tie. There was a tie last week I was like 'how heck did they tie?'"
— Mike Jones (@MikeJonesWaPo) October 30, 2016