Skip to main content
Come Fan with UsSunday, June 21, 2026

The Bengals’ perfect flea flicker completely froze the Browns’ defense

You can’t draw up a flea flicker any better than this.

Ricky O'Donnell
Ricky O'Donnell has covered basketball at all levels for more than a decade at SB Nation. He’s currently the Associate Director of Programming.

The Cincinnati Bengals proved they were one of the more explosive offenses in the NFL on their run to the Super Bowl last season, and Joe Burrow and Co. are still capable of dialing up a big when they really need one. Burrow entered the week second in the NFL in both passing yards and passing touchdowns, behind only Patrick Mahomes in both categories.

Burrow figured to have a good opportunity to put up big numbers against a mediocre Cleveland Browns defense in Week 14, and he’s starting to do exactly that. The Bengals used some trickeration on Burrow’s second touchdown of the day, using a flea flicker to bust a 45-yard TD by Trenton Irwin. There wasn’t anyone within five yards of Irwin as he streaked down the field. Watch video of the play here:

That’s pretty much a perfect flea flicker. The defensive backs committed to the run after the handoff, and Irwin ran free down the field where he was wide open for Burrow to find him.

The Next Gen Stats look at the play shows how Irwin got so wide open:

Everyone on Twitter agreed that this is what a perfect flea flicker looks like.

The Raiders hit a flea flicker for a touchdown last week, and the Bengals were paying attention.

Flea flickers are back, and Joe Burrow and the Bengals never left.

See More:

More in NFL

NFL
WNFC championship game airing Sunday, June 21st from Ford Center in FriscoWNFC championship game airing Sunday, June 21st from Ford Center in Frisco
NFL

The Women’s National Football Conference Championship will air on ESPN2 this weekend.

By RJ Ochoa
From SBNationExternal Link
Which fictional quarterback would you have lead your team?Which fictional quarterback would you have lead your team?
From SBNationExternal Link
By James Dator
NFL
Best bets for 2026 NFL Offensive Rookie of the YearBest bets for 2026 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year
NFL

There are some good longer-shot options on offensive side of ball for the NFL’s Rookie of the Year.

By Bill Williamson
NFL
Brendan Sorsby is a rare chance to get a top QB cheap, and these teams should go inBrendan Sorsby is a rare chance to get a top QB cheap, and these teams should go in
NFL

This is a no-brainer for some NFL teams.

By James Dator
NFL
Fernando Mendoza has great respect for the Raiders that came before himFernando Mendoza has great respect for the Raiders that came before him
NFL

Fernando Mendoza has great respect for the Raiders that came before him

By RJ Ochoa
NFL
Brendan Sorsby intends to enter NFL Supplemental Draft, per reportsBrendan Sorsby intends to enter NFL Supplemental Draft, per reports
NFL

Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby is entering the NFL Supplemental Draft, per reports

By Mark Schofield

Comments
Loading comments
Getting the conversation ready...