Cincinnati Bengals keep playoff hopes alive with overtime win over Denver Broncos

CINCINNATI (AP) — This time, close to the very finish of a principally agonizing season, the Cincinnati Bengals made sufficient performs to win.

A well-recognized connection closed it out.

Joe Burrow threw his third landing go to Tee Higgins with 1:07 left in extra time, and the Bengals saved their slim playoff hopes alive with a wild 30-24 win over the Denver Broncos on Saturday.

“This is likely one of the loopy ones I’ve been concerned with within the NFL,” Burrow mentioned. “It appears like we had a few these this 12 months, and it’s good to come back out on high in a single.”

After Denver’s second punt in extra time, Burrow accomplished a 31-yard go to Higgins to the Denver 3, after which went again to the lanky receiver for the ultimate play in Cincinnati’s fourth consecutive victory. Higgins completed with 11 receptions for 131 yards.

Cade York had an opportunity to win it for Cincinnati with about three minutes left in extra time, however his 33-yard discipline aim bounced off the left upright. Denver then went three-and-out, together with a Bo Nix incompletion on third down, handing the ball proper again to Burrow and the Bengals (8-8).

“Powerful one to lose,” Denver coach Sean Payton mentioned. “We had our alternatives. The desire to compete and reply, it was fairly spectacular. Ultimately, we didn’t make sufficient performs, they usually did.”

It was the Bengals’ first win this season in opposition to a group with a successful document. They want one other victory of their ultimate recreation at Pittsburgh and a few assist from different groups to make it to the postseason for the primary time since 2022.

“We all know we will dangle with anyone,” Burrow mentioned. “We’ve confirmed that this 12 months. We performed all people this 12 months shut. It’s nearly making the performs down the stretch to win these video games. At this time we did. The final 4 weeks we’ve. We’ve obtained to proceed to do it.”

The Broncos (9-7) would have secured an AFC wild card with a victory over the Bengals. They’ll have one other alternative to earn a postseason berth once they host Kansas Metropolis subsequent weekend. A victory over the Chiefs additionally would eradicate the Bengals.

Burrow continued his stellar season, going 39 for 49 for 412 yards and three touchdowns, all to Higgins. Ja’Marr Chase completed with 9 receptions for 102 yards.

Burrow has at the least 250 yards passing and three touchdowns in eight straight video games, extending his NFL document.

“I don’t know that anyone can stand on the sphere and watch Joe Burrow and say he’s not the very best participant on the planet,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor mentioned.

Burrow’s 1-yard landing run gave Cincinnati a 24-17 lead with 1:29 left in regulation. On the play earlier than Burrow’s TD, Chase Brown harm his proper ankle on an ungainly slide whereas happening in an effort to assist the Bengals run out the remaining time.

Brown’s damage stopped the clock, and Nix threw a spectacular 25-yard landing go to a leaping Marvin Mims Jr. for the tying rating with 8 seconds left.

Nix was 24 for 31 for 219 yards and three touchdowns with one interception. Mims completed with eight catches for 103 yards and two TDs.

The massive three

Burrow made full use of his two featured receivers. Burrow, Higgins and Chase made life tough for the Broncos all recreation lengthy.

“I simply throw it the place the protection tells me to,” Burrow mentioned. “In the event that they’re going to double Ja’Marr, I’m going to throw it to Tee. If Ja’Marr goes to get a one-on-one, I’m going to throw it to him.”

Each receivers are in fascinating contract conditions. Chase was the NFL chief in receptions, yards receiving and receiving touchdowns going into Week 17. He’s possible headed for an enormous new contract that may make him one of many highest-paid receivers within the league. Higgins is enjoying underneath the franchise tag, and the Bengals could not wish to pay what it is going to take to carry him again subsequent season.

Accidents

Broncos: CB Damarri Mathis left within the first quarter with a hamstring damage.

Bengals: Proper sort out Amarius Mims left late within the first half with a hand damage.

Up subsequent

Broncos: End the common season at house in opposition to the AFC West champions. The day and time for the sport have but to be introduced.

Bengals: At Pittsburgh at a date and time nonetheless be decided. The Bengals misplaced to the Steelers 44-38 on Dec. 1.

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