The A.J. Green Factor: Three Receptions On Three Separate Drives That Scores 17 Total Points

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) jumps into the stands after catching a 51-yard pass short of the goal line late in an NFL football game as Cleveland Browns cornerback Joe Haden (23) looks on, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2011, in Cincinnati. Cincinnati kicked a field goal to win the game 23-20. (AP Photo/Tom Uhlman)

Bengals rookie wide receiver hauled in the game-winning 41-yard touchdown against the Cleveland Browns during Cincinnati's season opener earlier this year. Not only did it win the game against the Browns in Cleveland, it was Green's first career reception (and first career touchdown reception as you probably deduced at this point). Since then Green has been every bit as advertised and more.

Against the Denver Broncos, Green posted his first 100-yard receiving and 10-reception game. He came into Sunday's game leading all rookies in yards receiving and touchdown receptions, amassing exciting touchdown receptions on holy prayers from rookie quarterback Andy Dalton.

Against the Cleveland Browns during Cincinnati's 23-20 win over the Browns, Green only caught three measly passes. What in this world could three passes really offer?

Well, plenty.

With 1:10 remaining in the first quarter from the Browns 40-yard line, Green sprints down the right sidelines before stopping around the 25-yard line and turning. The football was already in the air as Green positioned himself, turning after the reception and completing the 24-yard gain. On the next play Benson dodged traffic, scoring on the 16-yard touchdown to tie the game at seven. Green would largely disappear for some time until 1:58 remained in the third quarter where the team's superstar wide receiver beat cornerback Joe Haden on a deep route down the right sidelines for a 35-yard reception. On the next play, Jermaine Gresham hauled in the 22-yard touchdown pass to reduce Cincinnati's deficit to three.

That's two receptions with the proceeding plays, on both receptions, leading to touchdowns.

Yet it was Green's final act during his three-part play on Sunday that was the most memorable. On third and eight from the Bengals 47-yard line with 1:08 remaining in the game, A.J. Green lines up left and launches off the line of scrimmage. Andy Dalton takes the shotgun snap and launches the football deep towards Green, who jumps over God himself, hauling in the reception and sprinting towards the right sidelines for a 51-yard reception, before being pushed out of bounds at the two-yard line. Eventually the Bengals would settle for a game-winning field goal with half a minute remaining in the game.