The Bengals stay alive and prevent the Broncos from winning the playoffs

CINCINNATI – The Cincinnati Bengals kept their playoff hopes alive with a 30-24 overtime victory over the Denver Broncos on Saturday at Paycor Stadium, as the Broncos were denied a decisive postseason win for the second straight year.

Receiver Tee Higgins caught his third touchdown pass of the game in overtime, keeping the Bengals alive for the playoffs on the final weekend of the season. The Broncos are still in prime position for the AFC’s seventh and final playoff spot, needing just a win over the Chiefs next week to qualify. But they were rejected on Saturday.

Here are the key things to know from Saturday night for both teams:

The streak continues. And the Bengals are still alive.

In a playoff-like atmosphere, Cincinnati defeated the Broncos, winning their fourth straight game and remaining in postseason contention entering Week 18.

With the win, the Bengals must win against the Steelers next week and the Colts and Dolphins must each lose at least one of their final two games. The Broncos also have to lose to the Chiefs next week.

Cincinnati did its part in a back-and-forth game Saturday night. Higgins caught a 3-yard touchdown pass and capped a wild game in which he caught 11 passes for 131 yards and three touchdowns.

And the Bengals are still in playoff contention heading into Week 18 after a game that won’t soon be forgotten.

Key game: Kicker Cade York had a chance to win the game in regulation time and rescue the team from a day of mistakes. However, a 33-yard attempt that would have won the game in overtime bounced off the left upright. Instead, the Bengals needed a late goal to clinch the victory.

Forecast for next week: Devin Cochran will start at right tackle. Rookie Amarius Mims tried to play Saturday despite suffering a broken hand six days ago. Mims started but failed to make it past the halfway point of the second quarter. His right hand was in a full club, as it had been at practice all week. That could make it difficult for him to start next week against the Steelers.

QB breakdown: Joe Burrow made a lot of plays against a very good Denver front that sacked him seven times. After throwing for just 157 yards against the Broncos in 2021, Burrow had a much better performance in his second career game against Denver. He completed 39 of 49 passes for 412 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also had a crucial 19-yard scramble on third-and-14 that ended in a touchdown. Burrow faced a very good secondary and pass rush and was able to rise to the challenge. — Ben Baby

Next game: at the Pittsburgh Steelers (TBD, Sunday, January 5)

The Broncos once again missed out on a shot at securing their first playoff berth since the 2015 season with a pretty emphatic overtime loss to the Bengals.

It completed a difficult recovery as the Broncos were still hungry for a long-sought playoff spot after back-to-back losses to the Chargers and Bengals around Christmas.

The Broncos have now used up their breathing room — they were 9-5 after a win over the Indianapolis Colts on Dec. 15 — and could need help to secure the AFC’s final postseason slot, depending on how things go for the Run the rest of the weekend. Coach Sean Payton wrote at the top of his practice sheet last week: “Get 10,” referring to a 10th win to secure the playoffs, and the Broncos still haven’t made it.

Most surprising performance: Maybe it shouldn’t be that surprising considering he plays alongside All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II, but there had to be moments on Saturday night when Riley Moss felt a little anxious given all the action he had coming his way was tired. Moss returned to the lineup after missing three games with a right MCL sprain, and the Bengals immediately targeted the receivers he was covering. Moss had 10 tackles midway through the third quarter – his most since the season opener – and finished the game with 14 total tackles.

Worrying trend: The Broncos have struggled to play complementary football in recent weeks, especially when the defense could use a breather. After the Broncos opened the game with a field goal drive, the Broncos’ other possessions in the first half went punt, punt, and at the end of the half, including a crippling three-and-out after the Broncos’ defense had one The Bengals survived a 17-play drive without allowing a point. The Bengals scored their first touchdown after the three-and-out against a still tense Broncos defense.

QB breakdown: Bo Nix has discovered in recent weeks just how thoroughly opposing defenses can adapt to a quarterback during the season. He found it increasingly difficult to reach the middle of the field throws that he made effectively earlier in the season. He didn’t have a completion of more than 16 yards until his 51-yard touchdown throw to Marvin Mims Jr. with 8:48 to play on Saturday. Nix also threw an interception to Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt with 2:30 left in the game, his sixth in the last four games, before responding with a game-winning 25-yard touchdown pass to Mims with eight seconds left in regulation to force an extension. Nix had his third game this season with three touchdown passes. –Jeff Legwold

Next game: vs. Kansas City Chiefs (TBD, Sunday, January 5)