The year was 1987. The Bengals, searching for a 2-0 start, hosted Bill Walsh and the 49ers on a 62-degree, mid-September afternoon along the Ohio River.
A pair of Jim Breech field goals gave Cincinnati a 26-20 lead, and they were ready to celebrate after getting the ball back with less than a minute remaining. Facing a fourth down with just six seconds left at their own 29-yard line, head coach Sam Wyche decided against a punt or an intentional safety. Opting instead for a sweep to run out the clock.
Running back James Brooks took the handoff and was immediately dropped on the Riverfront Stadium turf by 49ers’ rookie defensive end Kevin Fagan, leaving two seconds on the clock.