The Bengals keep their playoff hopes alive with a thrilling overtime win over the Broncos
Saturday night was a wild roller-coaster ride for the Cincinnati Bengals.
Joe Burrow and the Bengals kept their playoff hopes alive with a 30-24 victory over the Denver Broncos.
After Bo Nix threw a touchdown with 2:30 to go in regulation, the Bengals scored a touchdown about a minute later. But the decision to not run for a while came back to bite the Bengals.
CLICK HERE TO WATCH ONE OF THE GAMES ON FOXNEWS.COM
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) passes against the Denver Broncos Dec. 28, 2024, at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati. (Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The Broncos had 1:29 on the clock after the score, and that was all they needed. Marvin Mims caught his second touchdown of the day over two defenders on a wild throw to Nix. The play was reviewed to determine if Mims had a foul on the catch, but the ruling for a touchdown stood. With the PAT, the game went into overtime, leading to a 28-point fourth quarter.
The teams traded possessions, and Burrow and the Bengals moved into field goal range on their next drive. But the 33-year-old striker from Cade York hit the ground running.
Cincy, however, forced a second punt, giving the Bengals life, and they took advantage. Burrow dropped a 31-yard punt to the bucket by Higgins to put the Bengals at the Denver three-yard line. On the next play, Higgins finished the job with a touchdown, his third of the evening, to end the game.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) catches a touchdown pass in front of Denver Broncos quarterback Ja’Quan McMillian (29) at Paycor Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (Jeff Moreland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
LONGTIME SPORTS ANCHOR, ANNOUNCER GREG GUMEL DIES AT 78
A loss would have eliminated the Bengals from playoff contention. Now, they’ll need a win and some help in Week 18.
Burrow threw for 412 yards, completing 39 of 49 pass attempts. All three of his touchdown passes went to Higgins. Burrow came back to score late in the fourth. Higgins caught 11 passes for 131 yards to go with his hat trick.
A win or tie would have put the Broncos in the playoffs, and they would have to wait until the final week of the season to determine their playoff fate. Nix was 24-for-31 passing for 219 yards and three touchdowns.
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) is introduced before the game against the Denver Broncos at Paycor Stadium in downtown Cincinnati on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. (Sam Greene/The Enquirer/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)
CLICK HERE FOR THE NEWS PROGRAM
Cincy will enter the playoffs if they beat the Pittsburgh Steelers next and the Broncos lose to the Kansas City Chiefs. Denver controls its own destiny.
Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on Xand subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle.
