Heartbroken Mike Zimmer Helps Guide Cincinnati to 'Uplifting' Win

Cincinnati defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer could have skipped the Bengals' key AFC North game at Baltimore Sunday and not a single person would have blamed him. Instead, just three days after the sudden death of his wife, Vikki, Zimmer helped orchestrate a splendid effort by his defense that led Cincinnati to a surprising 17-14 win.

In his postgame press conference, someone asked Bengals coach Marvin Lewis what Zimmer told the team after the game.

"He said, 'You know how Vikki felt about all of you. She's up there now in heaven smiling at you,' " Lewis recalled. "Win or lose, she loved these guys. I was in their house on Thursday afternoon, and there were Post-it notes all around, treats for the players, and I reminded those guys of that Friday morning. I said that they were always on her mind."

Vikki, 50, passed away late Thursday of yet-unknown causes. According to the police report, Zimmer made an emergency call to 911 Thursday night after discovering the lifeless body of his wife at home. Lewis said that his team was "shaken" and noticeably "down" at Friday's workout -- understandable reactions, given the awful development. But by Saturday morning, Zimmer had returned to the team, and the boost was immediate.

"Man, it just lifted guys up," Bengals cornerback Johnathan Joseph told ESPN about the team's reaction seeing Zimmer. "Once we saw him in practice Saturday morning and knew that he was going with us, it was unbelievable the feeling I had in my stomach."

Cincinnati transferred all of that energy to the field Sunday. Playing against a Baltimore team that averaged 31 points per game during a 3-1 start, the Bengals' defense rose to the occasion. They sacked red-hot Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco twice and intercepted a pair of his passes -- including the game-clinching pick by Leon Hall on a Flacco desperation heave with nine seconds left. They limited Baltimore to just 82 yards rushing and held star Ravens receiver Derrick Mason without a catch.

"That's a good football team," Baltimore head coach John Harbaugh said after. "They are everything advertised ... and more."

They also might be tougher and more resilient than anyone believed -- they seemingly proved that with Sunday's inspiring effort.

"We are prepared for anything," Cincinnati safety Chris Crocker said, according to ESPN's James Walker. "Yes, this was sad. But it was also uplifting because we had a purpose."

Zimmer, who received the game ball, did not talk to reporters following the Bengals' win. But hopefully he was able to enjoy his team's impressive performance, if only for a moment, before being faced with harsh reality again.

"He didn't want to be a distraction to the football team," Lewis said. "That was all he was worried about."

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Cincinnati Bengals Photos

BALTIMORE - OCTOBER 11: Leon Hall #29 of the Cincinnati Bengals picks off a last second pass to effectively end the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Bengals defeated the Ravens 17-14. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Leon Hall

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Cincinnati Bengals Photos

Cincinnati Bengals' Chad Ochocinco gets the ball knock from his hands by Baltimore Ravens Ed Reed during the second quarter of an NFL football game in Baltimore, Maryland, Sunday, October 11, 2009. (Gene Sweeney Jr/Baltimore Sun/MCT)

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Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Andre Caldwell (87) scores the winning touchdown in front of Baltimore Ravens safety Dawan Landry (26) during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Baltimore, Maryland, Sunday, October 11, 2009. (Christopher T. Assaf/Baltimore Sun/MCT)

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Baltimore Ravens cornerback Frank Walker (41) reacts after a flag was called late in the fourth quarter of their NFL football game against the as Cincinnati Bengals in Baltimore, Maryland, Sunday, October 11, 2009. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun/MCT)

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Baltimore Ravens Ray Rice breaks tackles from the Cincinnati Bengals and runs in for a 48-yard touchdown during the fourth quarter of an NFL football game in Baltimore, Maryland, Sunday, October 11, 2009. (Gene Sweeney Jr/Baltimore Sun/MCT)

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Baltimore Ravens linebacker Jarret Johnson stops Cincinnati Bengals running back Cedric Benson in the third quarter of an NFL football game in Baltimore, Maryland, Sunday, October 11, 2009. (Karl Merton Ferron/Baltimore Sun/MCT)

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BALTIMORE - OCTOBER 11: Carson Palmer #9 of the Cincinnati Bengals speaks to the press after the game against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Bengals defeated the Ravens 17-14. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Carson Palmer

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BALTIMORE - OCTOBER 11: Andre Caldwell #87 of the Cincinnati Bengals celebrates his game winning touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Bengals defeated the Ravens 17-14. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Andre Caldwell

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BALTIMORE - OCTOBER 11: Andre Caldwell #87 of the Cincinnati Bengals runs the ball in for the game winning touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens at M&T Bank Stadium on October 11, 2009 in Baltimore, Maryland. The Bengals defeated the Ravens 17-14. (Photo by Larry French/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Andre Caldwell

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