Bengals shake off late Broncos TD, win in overtime to keep their playoff hopes alive

The Cincinnati Bengals, behind quarterback Joe Burrow, stayed alive in the playoff race with an overtime win over the Broncos. (Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Cincinnati Bengals tried to give Saturday’s game away. But somehow, they’re still alive in the AFC playoff race.

The Bengals had a clock management fiasco in the final two minutes of regulation, which allowed Denver Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix to drive his team downfield and complete a touchdown pass with eight seconds left. The Broncos could have gone for the 2-point conversion and the win, which would have sent them to the playoffs, but they chose to kick the extra point and take their chances in overtime.

The Bengals had a 33-yard field goal attempt for the win but Cade York missed it, hitting it off the upright. The Bengals would have been eliminated with a tie, and the Broncos would have clinched a playoff berth.

But Cincinnati’s defense, which has been a problem most of the season, came through. It forced two three-and-outs in overtime, then with a little more than a minute to go Burrow hit Tee Higgins on a huge catch down to the 3-yard line, and the Bengals won 30-24 on the next play on a touchdown pass to Higgins.

The Broncos would have clinched a playoff spot and the Bengals would have been eliminated with a Denver win or a tie on Saturday night. The Bengals still need plenty of help to make the playoffs, including the Broncos losing in Week 18 to a Kansas City Chiefs team that has already clinched the AFC’s No. 1 seed. But Cincinnati is still alive. And unfortunately for the Broncos, they still can’t put their playoff drought to rest.

The late win saved a lot of grief for Bengals coach Zac Taylor, York and the Bengals as a whole. Once again, Burrow carried the Bengals out of a big mess.

Both teams struggle in 1st half

The Bengals came into the game needing the win for a reason. They haven’t been very good this season. That’s why they were 7-8 coming in.

There were…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/bengals-shake-off-late-broncos-td-win-in-overtime-to-keep-their-playoff-hopes-alive-010150395.html

Author : Yahoo Sports

Publish date : 2024-12-29 01:01:00

Copyright for syndicated content belongs to the linked Source.