Around the NFL

Neil deGrasse Tyson: Earth's rotation helped Cincy win

Published: Oct 12, 2015 at 02:08 AM

Kevin Patra

Around the NFL Writer

The Cincinnati Bengals became the first team since realignment to start 5-0 in the AFC North.

Many things have factored into the Bengals' early season success: A multifaceted offense; an improved, swaggery Andy Dalton; a studly defensive front; timely special teams plays.

Thus far in 2015, these haven't been your normal Cincinnati Bengals. Maybe it's Dalton. Maybe it's confidence buoyed by stacking wins. Heck, maybe it's because Mercury was in retrograde.

Sunday's improbable, 27-24 overtime come-from-behind victory came with many reasons and explanations. Famed astrophysicist Dr. Neil deGrasse Tyson gives at least partial credit to science.

Kicker Mike Nugent's 42-yard game-winning field goal pinballed off the left upright and through for the win, which Tyson says was aided by the Earth's Coriolis force.

Today's @Bengals winning OT field goal was likely enabled by a 1/3-in deflection to the right, caused by Earth’s Rotation.
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) October 11, 2015

In the N. Hemisphere, Earth’s Coriolis force deflects airborne north-south projectiles to the right. About 1/2-in per 50 yds.
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) October 11, 2015

The @Bengals stadium isn’t oriented exactly North-South. And the field goal was 42-yds. Yielding a 1/3-in deflection, not 1/2
— Neil deGrasse Tyson (@neiltyson) October 11, 2015

I don't know what a third of those words mean, but SCIENCE LET THE BENGALS WIN!!!!

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