Bengals keep their playoff hopes alive with overtime win over Broncos

Saturday night was a wild roller coaster day for the Cincinnati Bengals.

Joe Burrow and the Bengals kept their playoff hopes alive with a 30-24 win over the Denver Broncos.

After Bo Nix's interception with 2:30 left in regulation, the Bengals scored a touchdown about a minute later. But the decision to not run away for a while came back to the Bengals.

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The Broncos had 1:29 left after scoring, which was exactly what they needed. Marvin Mims caught his second touchdown of the day on a wild pitch from the Knicks past two defenders. The play was reviewed to determine whether Mims had possession of the ball through the catch, but the touchdown ruling stood. The PAT forced the game into overtime, and the lead was limited to 28 points in the fourth quarter.

The teams traded punts, and Burrow and the Bengals got within field goal range on their next attempt. But Cade York's 33-yard shot bounced off the uprights.

But Cincy forced a second punt, giving life to the Bengals and giving them the advantage. Burrow dropped a 31-yard dot for a bucket by Higgins, driving the Bengals to the Denver 3-yard line. On the next play, Higgins finished the job with his third touchdown of the night, ending the game.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, 5, catches a touchdown pass in front of Denver Broncos cornerback Jaquan McMillian, 29, at Peiko Stadium on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024. do. (Jeff Moreland/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

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A loss would have eliminated the Bengals from playoff contention. We need wins and help in Week 18.

Burrow threw for 412 yards and completed 39 of 49 pass attempts. All three of his touchdown passes went to Higgins. Burrow also ran in late in the fourth to score. Higgins caught 11 passes for 131 yards en route to his hat trick.

A win or a tie would put the Broncos in the playoffs, but they will have to wait until the final week of the season to decide their playoff fate. Knicks completed 24 of 31 passes for 219 yards and three touchdowns.

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins, 5, is introduced before a game against the Denver Broncos on Saturday, Dec. 28, 2024, at Peyco Stadium in downtown Cincinnati. (Sam Green/Enquirer/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

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Cincy would then advance to the playoffs if they beat the Pittsburgh Steelers and the Broncos lost to the Kansas City Chiefs. Denver controls its own destiny.

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