SUNDAY’S GAME

Bengals at Browns, 1 p.m., WHIO-TV Ch. 7, Ch. 12, 700, 1530,95.3, 101.1, 102.7, 104.7 Contributing Writer

When Cincinnati Bengals offensive coordinator Bill Lazor walked through the locker room after Sunday’s win against the Oakland Raiders, he paused behind a small group of media members interviewing defensive end Sam Hubbard, caught his attention and mouthed, “I tried.”

Hubbard laughed and shouted back, “Next time!”

The one thing Hubbard hasn’t accomplished yet during a spectacular rookie season just barely escaped him Sunday when he reported as an eligible receiver and got his first target but just missed what would have been a touchdown. The next play, Joe Mixon ran it in from the 1-yard line with Hubbard leading the way as a blocker.

Hubbard showed his value regardless of not making the catch, as he appeared in all three phases of the game, including at defensive tackle and end, and finished with two sacks, a forced fumble, three quarterback hurries and a tackle for loss. He saw three snaps at fullback, played 61 percent of the defensive snaps and was in for 45 percent of special teams play, where he recorded a key block on a 77-yard return by Alex Erickson to set up the game-sealing touchdown in the fourth quarter.

“It’s what I try and hang my hat on,” Hubbard said of his ability to fill multiple roles. “Anything they ask me to do, I want to do it to the best of my ability. Obviously it can help win games . ... The defense played great, but I really wish I had that touchdown on offense.”

The Cincinnati native and former Ohio State University star has given the Bengals perhaps even more than they expected when they took him in the third round of the draft this spring.

Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis