Crocker INT drop most glaringly of Bengals’ missed opportunities

Chris Crocker sat at his post-game locker inside Reliant Stadium with a stunned glaze across his face. He was numb. The Bengals’ nine-year safety could do nothing but look back and think about what could have been. With Houston leading 17-10 and 2:39 remaining in the third quarter Crocker had a chance to even the score for the Bengals. He read the route of tight end Owen Daniels perfectly, sized up quarterback T.J. Yates’ throw and broke for the ball in the air near midfield. But instead of a 17-17 tie Crocker dropped the pass. Three plays later the Yates and Andre Johnson connected for a 40-yard touchdown pass that increased Houston’s lead to 24-10 en route to a 31-10 victory in an AFC wild card game. As any coach or player will tell you, one play doesn’t win or lose a game but Crocker’s drop denied the Bengals a chance to turn momentum their way. “I catch that ball and it’s a tie ball game,” said Crocker. “I can’t explain how bad I feel because that’s...