Wilson's fourth quarter INT helps send Bengals to AFC title game

LARAMIE -- "By far."

That was linebacker Logan Wilson's response when asked by a reporter Saturday night if his fourth quarter interception of Ryan Tannehill -- his fifth of the season -- was his favorite so far as a pro.

Well, there was just 20 seconds left.

The Titans were already in Cincinnati territory, realistically just 15 yards away from lining up for a game-winning field goal.

Instead, Wilson's pick, and a 19-yard Joe Burrow to Ja"Marr Chase connection later, it was the visitors sending the fans to the exits in Nashville and the Bengals into the AFC Championship game for the first time since 1988 after Evan McPherson split the uprights from 52 yards out.

Bengals 19
Titans 16

"I mean that was a great play by Eli (Apple) to break up the pass and then good things happen when you run to the ball," Wilson told the Cincinnati Enquirer.

Cincinnati head coach Zac Taylor had a gut feeling something big was about to happen.

"I just felt like that game wasn't over; it wasn't going to overtime," Taylor told the Enquirer. "Something big was going to happen there. Logan just has a knack for finding those balls whether he's the one that just takes it away or gets them on the tips. He's done it all year."

Wilson, a Casper native and former three-time team captain at Wyoming, finished with eight tackles, including one for loss.

That "stuff" came with just 7:14 remaining on the clock and Tennessee facing a 4th-and-1 from the Bengals 35-yard line. Derrick Henry, the bruising 6-foot-3, 247-pound running back, was getting the ball. Picking up a yard? No sweat.

Wilson had different ideas.

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Of course, causing havoc -- and turnovers -- is nothing new for Wilson.

During his four-year career in Laramie, the former Natrona County Mustang picked off 10 passes and forced five fumbles. He recovered an additional four of those. Wilson registered 409 tackles during his time in a Cowboys uniform.

Wilson, the Bengals first pick of the third round back in the 2020 NFL Draft, finished with a team-leading 100 tackles during the regular season. In just two playoff games, he already has 20.

Cincinnati is awaiting the winner of Bills/ Chiefs game tomorrow night at Arrowhead. Wilson and the Bengals will once again play on the road next weekend no matter who wins Sunday night in Kansas City.

Safe to say most Wyoming fans are hoping that title game happens inside Highmark Stadium in Western New York where Wilson would square off against his old college teammate, Josh Allen, for the right to go to the Super Bowl.

One can hope.