Broncos 24 vs 30 Bengals summary, stats, scores and highlights | NFL Week 17
Higgins' hat trick of TDs keep his team in the AFC Wild Card race as the Bengals won their fourth straight game and forced the Broncos to have to win next week in Kansas City. If the Broncos defeat a Chiefs team that has already locked up the one seed they are in. If they lose and the Bengals win, and the Colts and Dolpins tie or lose one of their next two, then the Bengals are in as the final Wild Card.
Tee Higgins may have lost the fumble in the 4th quarter, but he more than made up with it with his three TDs, and this catch to set up the game winning score.
The game went to OT, and after both teams were forced to punt, it was Cade York and the Bengals who had a chance to win it on this 33 yard field goal but he clanked it off the post and CIncy fans were probably thinking their season was over.
Nix had his finest hour on this game tying drive that was polished off with this Hail Mary on 4th down with 8 seconds left. He found Marvin Mims in the end zone on this miracle toss to the end zone to send this game to overtime. He ended the game 24/31 with 219 yards, 3 TDs and 1 INT.
The Bengals had a chance to run the clock down after picking up a first down after the 2:00 Warning, but Chase Brown hurt himself sliding down short of the goal line which stopped the clock and forced the Bengals to QB sneak it leaving time on the clock for the Broncos.
After a season full of getting dragged on and off the field, the Bengals defense comes up with one of the plays of their season. Germaine Pruitt picked off Bo Nix and gave Cincy great field position with just over 2:00 to go.
The Bengals had a chance to take the lead late in the 4th quarter, but Higgins, who had such a big night up until this point, got stripped and lost the ball, and possibly a chance at the playoffs. Patrick Surtain came up with the forced fumble that put the Broncos in the drivers seat.
Bo Nix and Sean Payton are known for keeping it safe in the passing game, but every now and then they will let the ball fly and that's what the rookie did on this 51 yard TD pass to Marvin Mims Jr.
The Bengals would respond with another long drive that Burrow built and Burrow polished off with a TD pass to Higgins in the corner of the end zone.
After 25 minutes of pretty defensive football, these two teams exploded. The Broncos retook the lead with his Bo Nix TD pass to Courtland Sutton, and the floodgates were officially open.
The Broncos could only muster a field goal after the 4th down stops and that allowed Burrow and the Bengals to take the lead right after the Two Minute Warning. This was just a preview of what was to come for the rest of the game.
The Cincinnati Bengals are still alive in the AFC Wild Card race after a dramatic overtime win from Paycor Stadium. Joe Burrow three for 400 yards and three TDs in the 30-24 win over the Denver Broncos.
It was an ugly, defensive game early on and even though the Bengals did get to move the ball early on, the Broncos came up with back to back 4th down stops to turn CIncy over on downs. This one came inside the five yard line.
TOUCHDOWN HIGGINS!!! TOUCHDOWN BENGALS!!!!
Burrow with his third TD pass of the game to Higgins and the Bengals hold on to win and survive another week!
The play was reviewed and confirmed! What a catch!!!
Burrow goes to HIggins on the left sideline and he makes an incredible catch inside the five yard line!!!
1st and Goal form the 3.
Burrow looking to the right side for Chase on the out route but that pass was overthrown.
2nd and 10 from the DEN 34 with 1:14 to go.
Pitch to Herbert on the left side and he cuts up field for a gain of 13 yards and a first down.
1st and 10 form the DEN 34.
WE ARE AT THE TWO MINUTE WARNING IN OVERTIME!!!
Burrow over the middle for Iosiavas for a gain of 16 yards into DEN territory.
1st and 10 from the DEN 47.
Nix's pass over the middle for Trautman is too far out in front of him and the Bengals are going to get another chance!
4th and 9 from the DEN 24 with 2:20 to go.
Timeout CIN with 2:33 to go, their last.
Pass to the flat for Mims and he is dragged down for a loss of 2.
3rd and 9 from the DEN 24.
Timeout CIN with 2:38 to go, their 2nd.
DEN take over from their 23 knowing a tie gets them into the playoffs.
Estime picks up three yards on the run to the right side.
2nd and 7 from the DEN 26.
MISSED FIELD GOAL!!!!
YORK MISSED IT!!!! His 33 yard field goal bangs off the right up right!!!
Cincy might be out of the playoffs because of that missed field goal!!!
Herbert is stopped at the line of scrimmage and here comes the field goal unit.
3rd and 3 from the DEN 15.
Run to the left side for Herbert and he picks up 8 yards on the first down play.
2nd and 2 from the DEN 14. Timeout DEN with 3:32 to go.
A false start on Higgins backs up the Bengals 5 yards, and after the flag Burrow goes right back to Higgins for a gain of 20 yards on the slant to the right side.
1st and 10 from the DEN 21.
TIMEOUT BRONCOS WITH 4:15 TO GO.
Gesicki with an out route to the right side and he makes the catch and rumbles up field for a gain of 12 yards.
1st and 10 from the DEN 36.
Burrow to the right side for Higgins and he makes the catch for a gain of 5.
2nd and 4 from the DEN 48.
CIN get the ball from their 46 knowing a field goal can win it.
Nix going deep for Franklin down the left side and he was wide open but that pass was over thrown by a yard.
4th and 6 and DEN will punt from their 14.
Pass to Mims on the left side and Mims makes the catch but is dragged down after a gain of 3.
3rd and 6 from the DEN 14.
DEN get the ball back from their 10 with 6:43 to go in OT. McLauglin to the right side and he picks up a yard on the first down run.
2nd and 9 from the DEN 11.
Burrow was dancing around in the pocket and decided to tuck it but was brought down by Allen for no gain!
4th and 14 from the CIN 43.
Burrow is dropped for a loss of 7 by Allen, his third of the night!
3rd and 14 from the CIN 43.
Herbert to the left side on the run and he picks up three yards on first down.
2nd and 7 from the 50.
Burrow up the middle on the scramble and he picks up 6 yards, and an illegal contact will add five yards to the play and give CIN a first down.
1st and 10 from the CIN 47.
Burrow and the Bengals get the ball from the 26 and Burrow finds Gesicki on the right side for a gain of 10 yards.
1st and 10 from the CIN 36.
The Bengals win the toss and they are going to get the ball first with a chance to win the game with a TD.
WE ARE HEADED TO OVERTIME!!!
Jayden Daniels had his Rookie of the Year moment with a Hail Mary, and here is Bo Nix's. What a catch by Mims in the end zone to most likely force overtime.
THE RULING ON THE FIELD STANDS!!!! IT'S ALL TIED UP WITH 8 SECONDS TO GO!!!
The play is going to be reviewed!!!
TOUCHDOWN DENVER!!!
Nix was under pressure and let a Hail Mary loose to the end zone and Mims makes the catch in double coverage!!!
It's all tied up, but this play is going to be reviewed!!!
Nix to Williams on the left side and he makes a great catch for 6 yards but he's short of the marker and in bounds.
4th and 1 from the CIN 25. Timeout Denver, their last with 14 on the clock.
Nix goes deep down the left side line for Sutton and that pass was a little too far in front of him.
3rd and 7 from the CIN 31.
Nix with a short pass to Krull who gets three and is taken down in bounds.
2nd and 7 from the CIN 31 with 25 to go.
Nix over the middle for Sutton who reels it in and picks up 14 yards.
1st and 10 from the CIN 34.
Nix rolls to the left side and fires a bullet to Sutton for 15 yards on the sideline.
1st and 10 from the CIN 48.
DEN get the ball from their 30, and Nix scrambles for a gain of 7 yards and he gets out of bounds with 1:22 to go.
2nd and 3 from the DEN 37.
After the Pruitt interception Joe Burrow puts the Bengals in the lead with 1:29 to go. Now it's up to the defense to take care of business.
TOUCHDOWN CINCY!!
Burrow barrels in on the QB sneak from a yard out, but that gives the Broncos a chance to tie it up with time on the clock.
CIN lead 24-17 with 1:29 to go!
Brown on the run up the middle and he bounces it outside before sliding down at the 1. He was injured on the slide and he's going to get some medical attention. Huge play, but could be a costly play for Cincy.
2nd and Goal from the DEN 1. The clock stops with 1:31 to go.
Timeout DEN with 1:39 to go in the 4th quarter.
Burrow to the left side for Chase on the out route and he makes the catch and stays in bounds after a gain of 11.
1st and Goal from the DEN 6!
Pass to the left side for Chase and that throw was too far out in front of him.
3rd and 6 from the CIN 17.
Pass to Brown on the right side and he is pushed out of bounds after a gain of 4.
2nd and 6 from the DEN 17.
WE ARE AT THE TWO MINUTE WARNING!!!
The Bengals defense has been ripped on and off the field all season, but it's Germaine Pruitt making the defensive play of the year for the Bengals. They have the ball at the DEN 21 with two minutes to go.
This was the fumble by Higgins that gave the Broncos a chance to take the lead late in the 4th, but the Cincy defense had a response.
Burrow steps up in the pocket and he finds Chase over the middle. The WR turns up field and takes it for 38 yards and a first down!
1st and 10 from the DEN 21!!
INTERCEPTION!!!
Nix on the roll out to the right side and his pass to Sutton is picked off by Pratt!
CIN take over from the CIN 41 with 2:30 to go!!
Screen pass set up for Estime and he is taken down by Hill on a loss of 6 yards!
3rd and 15 from the DEN 46 wit 2:51 to go.
Estime on the right side and he picks up a yard on first down.
2nd and 9 from the CIN 48.
Nix looking down field, but was forced to scramble and runs to the left side for a gain of 5 yards as he breaks through tackles and stretches for the marker!
1st and 10 from the CIN 49.
Nix with the fake pitch and he rolls to the to the right side where he finds Trautman and that pass goes for 5 yards.
3rd and 4 from the DEN 46.
McLaughlin spins past a defender in the backfield and he picks up a yard.
2nd and 9 from the DEN 41.
FUMBLE!!!
It's ruled a catch and fumble and DEN is going to take over from their 43!!!
Another huge play by the Denver defense wit 5:13 to go.
Burrow over the middle for Higgins and he had it knocked out of his hands by Surtain! DEN jumped on it incase it was a fumble. It was called incomplete but DEN is going to challenge the call with 5:13 to go.
It's either 4th and 4 from the 50 or DEN ball around mid field.
Burrow to the right side and he makes the catch for five yards.
3rd and 5 from the CIN 50.
Brown to the left side and he picks up a yard on the first down run.
2nd and 9 from the CIN 45.
Burrow steps up in the pocket and Burrow finds Higgins who makes a finger tip snap on the right sideline for a gain of 12.
1st and 10 from the CIN 44.
Short pass to Chase on the stop route and he picks up 6 yards.
3rd and 8 from the CIN 31.
CIN get the ball back from the 30 and Burrow is sacked bu Allen for a loss of 4 to start the drive.
2nd and 14 from the CIN 26.
This game has come to life after 25 minutes of an offensive struggle. Nix takes a deep shot to Mims and all of the sudden we are tied up at 17-17.
TOUCHDOWN BRONCOS!!!
Nix goes deep down the middle all the way to the end zone and hits Mims with a 51 yard bomb!!!
It's all tied up at 17-17 with 8:48 to go in the 4th quarter!!!
Mix finds Sutton on the stop route on the left side and he turns for a gain of 13 before getting pushed out of bounds.
1st and 10 from the DEN 49.
Esitme is dropped by Hilton off the edge for no gain.
2nd and 10 from the DEN 36.
Estime up the middle and he gets 5 yards to move the chains.
1st and 10 from the DEN 36.
DEN get the ball back from the 25 and McLaughlin gets 6 yards on the run to the left sideline.
2nd and 4 from the DEN 31.
Watch Higgins disguise this catch until the last second for his second TD reception of the day.
TOUCHDOWN BENGALS!!!
Burrow with a pass to the deep corner for Higgins and he makes an incredible catch to put the Bengals up front.
CIN lead 17-10 with 11:33 to go in the 4th.
Brown up the middle out of the shotgun and he gets 5 yards on the first down run.
2nd and 5 from the DEN 12.
CIN's offense stays on the field and Burrow finds Brown on the underneath route for a gain of 11 and a first down!
1st and 10 from the DEN 17.
Burrow's pass over the middle for Gesicki is complete but he is taken down after a gain of 7.
4th and 2 from the DEN 28.
Burrow is tripped up for a 6 yard sack on the rush up the middle.
3rd and 9 from the DEN 35.
Burrow on the left side with a short gain of 6 yards to Chase.
2nd and 4 from the DEN 30.
WE ARE AT THE END OF THE THIRD QUARTER FROM CINCY!!!
Burrow tucks it and runs up the middle of the field for a gain of 19 yards to move the chains!
1st and 10 from the DEN 36.
Burrow found Iosivas over the middle and he took it all the way to the end zone, but that TD is coming back after an illegal shift.
3rd and 13 from the CIN 45.
Short pass to Chase for a gain of 9 yards to bring up 3rd and long.
3rd and 8 from the 50.
TIMEOUT CIN, THEIR 2ND WITH 1:01 LEFT IN THE 3RD QUARTER.
Cooper and Allen on a rush up the middle and they take him down for a loss of 7 yards!
2nd and 17 from the CIN 41.
Burrow the left side for Gesicki on the left side and he is pushed out of bounds on the left side.
1st and 10 from the CIN 48.
CIN take the ball back from the CIN 37 and Brown gets three yards on his run to the left side.
2nd and 7 from the CIN 40.
The Broncos get into the end zone on their first drive of the second half and they did it with on the shoulders of their RB, Jaleel McLaughlin who had a handful of big runs that set up Nix for this TD pass for Sutton.
TOUCHDOWN BRONCOS!!!
Nix to the right side for Sutton who turns and makes the catch in the corner of the end zone!
DEN tie the game up at 10-10 with 3:10 to go in the 3rd quarter.
McLaughlin to the left side and he gets 2 yards on the first down run.
2nd and Goal from the 6.
Another big run for McLaughlin and he takes it for 13 yards and a first down inside the 10.
1st and Goal from the CIN 8.
McLaughlin finds a seam and he races up field for an 11 yard gain and a first down.
1st and 10 from the CIN 21.
Stop route for Sutton on the right side but that pass was behind him.
2nd and 10 from the CIN 32.
Pass to Mims on the right flat this time and he gets 8 yards and a first down before fumbling the ball out of bounds.
1st and 10 from the CIN 32.
Nix finds Mims in the flat he gets 9 up the left sideline.
3rd and 2 from the CIN 40.
Pitch to Mims on the right side and he is taken down for a loss of 1.
2nd and 11 from the CIN 49.
McLaughlin explodes up the field for a gain of 11 yards and a first down.
1st and 10 from the CIN 48.
Nix on the QB sneak and he moves the chain with a 2 yard pick up.
1st and 10 from the DEN 41.
Estime on the left side for a gain of 6 yards to bring up 3rd and short.
3rd and 1 from the DEN 39.
DEN take over from their 30 and McLaughlin gets three yards on the run to the left side.
2nd and 7 from the DEN 33.
FIELD GOAL!!!
York drills the 22 yarder but the Bengals leave points on the board again after another goal line stand from DEN.
CIN lead 10-3 with 9:07 to go in the 3rd quarter.
Slant pattern by Iosivas and he couldn't make the catch with a big hit coming. An offensive PI is called on CIN, but that pass is declined
4th and Goal from the 3 and the Bengals are stopped inside the 10 again.
Burrow's pass to Higgins in the back for the end zone and that pass comes in too high again.
3rd and Goal from the DEN 3.
Burrow to the corner of the end zone for Chase but that pass was too high for the WR.
2nd and Goal from the DEN 3.
Burrow is sacked again, but this time Bonitto is called for offsides.
1st and Goal from the 3.
Burrow was sacked by Allen but an illegal contact penalty is going to give the Bengals a first down.
1st and Goal from the 7.
CIN take a timeout after a false start backs them up 5 yards.
3rd and 7 from the DEN 12 with 10:16 to go in the 3rd.
Brown to the left side and he gets a yard to bring up 3rd and short.
3rd and 2 from the DEN 7.
Pass to the left side for Burrow for Chase and he makes the catch of a gain of 8.
2nd and 3 from the DEN 8.
Brown on the run up the middle and he moves the chains on a run of just a yard.
1st and 10 from the DEN 15.
The play stands and Burrow finds Gesicki on the slant for a gain of 9.
2nd and 1 from the DEN 16.
Burrow lofts one up for Iosivas who went up and got it at it's highest point and made the catch!
1st and 10 from the DEN 25.
DEN is going to challenge the call but I don't think they are going to win that one.
Brown on the run to the right side and he sprints to the sideline for a gain of 6 yards.
2nd and 4 from the DEN 49.
CIN take over from their 28 and Burrow hits HIggins on the right sideline for a gain of 15 to start the third quarter.
1st and 10 from the CIN 43.
WE ARE BACK IN CINCY FOR THE SECOND HALF OF ACTION.
The Bengals moved the ball well all game long, but finally got into the end zone after 28 minutes. Burrow is 15/20 for 121 yards and a TD. Brown has 45 yards on 13 carries.
The Broncos defense came up big on the first two drives of the game for Cincy. They stopped them on 4th down twice in a row including this hold after 1st and Goal was given to the Bengals on a pass interference call.
DEN took a 3-0 lead they had for most of the half. Nix is 10/12 for 68 yards while the run game has 47 yards all together.
WE ARE HEADING TO THE HALFTIME BREAK FROM CINCY!!
Pass over the middle for Mims and he is taken down after a short gain of 4.
Nix rolls to the left side and he held on to it too long. Jonson closed down and sacked him for a loss of 6.
3rd and 23 from the DEN 42.
Nix is dropped by Hendrickson for a loss of 5 yards and the Broncos have to take a timeout with 29 on the clock.
2nd and 17 from the 50.
Nix over the middle and he finds Vele for a gain of 11 and a first down.
1st and 10 from the CIN 45.
Pass from Nix to Franklino the WR screen and he is taken down for a loss of 1.
2nd and 11 from the DEN 44.
Nix tucks it and runs to the left sideline for a gain of 8 yards.
1st and 10 from the DEN 45 with 1:21 to go in the half.
DEN get the ball from their 37 and Nix finds Sutton on the 7 yard pass over the middle.
2nd and 3 from the DEN 37.
The Bengals have moved the ball in this first half, but it took 28 minutes for them to get into the end zone and take the lead with this 2 yard pass from Burrow to Higgins.
TOUCHDOWN BENGALS!!!
CIncy takes the lead with a pass to Higgins on the slant pattern for a 2 yard TD.
CIN lead 7-3 wit 1:49 to go in the half.
TIMEOUT DEN WITH 1:52 TO GO IN THE HALF.
Brown up the middle and het gets 4 yards on the first down urn.
2nd and Goal from the DEN 2.
WE ARE AT THE TWO MINUTE WARNING FROM CINCY!!
Back shoulder throw to Chase and he drags it in for a 13 yard pick up inside the DEN 10.
1st and Goal from the DEN 6.
Out route from Higgins and Burrow hits him for a gain of 8 yards.
2nd and 2 from the DEN 19.
Crossing route from Iosivas and he turns up field for a gain of 17 yards!
1st and 10 from the DEN 27.
Short check dow for Brown on the right side, and that pass is blown up but an illegal contact on DEN will give CIN a first down.
1st and 10 from the DEN 44.
Brown to the right side and he is pushed out of bounds after a gain of 8 and a first down.
1st and 10 from the DEN 49.
CIN get the ball from their 38 and Brown picks up 5 yards on the first down run.
2nd and 5 from the CIN 43.
Roll out to the right side and Nix finds Adkins for a 7 yards pick up but he's going to be just short of the marker.
4th and 1 from the DEN 14 with 4:55 to go in the CIN 38.
Nix over the middle and that pass was batted at the line by Ossai and falls incomplete.
3rd and 8 from the DEN 7.
Estime up the middle and he gets 2 yards on the first down run.
2nd and 8 from the DEN 7.
TURNOVER ON DOWNS!!!
The offense stays on the field and Burrow held on to it too long and is sacked by Cooper for a 3 yard loss!
DEN take over from their 5 yard line with 6:18 to go in the 2nd quarter.
Burrow's pass to Chase is dropped right at the pylon by one of the best WR's in the league.
4th and Goal form the 2.
Brown is dropped behind the line by Strand for a loss of one!
3rd and Goal from the 2.
Pass to Gesicki along the goal line but he couldn't make that catch that was a bit behind him.
2nd and Goal from the 1.
Burrow to the end zone on the right side and a flag flies for PI on the DEN D.
1st and Goal from the DEN 1.
TIMEOUT CIN WITH 7:22 TO GO.
Brown up the middle out of the shotgun and he gets 4 yards on the first down run.
2nd and 6 from the DEN 7.
Burrow with a pass to Brown on the short out route for a gain of 9 yards.
1st and 10 from the DEN 11.
Burrow to the right side for Gesicki and he is pushed out of bounds for a gain of 8 yards on the out route.
3rd and 2 from the DEN 20.
Screen in the flat and Brown is taken down on the right side for no gain.
2nd and 10 from the DEN 28.
Burrow to the left side for Higgins on the comeback to the left side for 15 yards.
1st and 10 from the DEN 28.
Burrow with a short pass to the left side for Gesicki for a gain of 2 yards.
3rd and 7 from the DEN 43.
Brown gets the handoff and he is stopped after a gain of a yard.
2nd and 9 from the DEN 45.
Slant over the middle and Chase makes the finger tip catch for a first down and an 11 yard gain.
1st and 10 from the DEN 39.
Allen busts up the line and Burrow is sacked for a loss of 1.
2nd and 11 from the 50.
Short pass to Sample on the right side and he moves the chains on a gain of 3 yards.
1st and 10 from the DEN 49.
Brown dives up the left side and gets 3 yards to bring up 3rd and short.
3rd and 1 from the CI 38.
Brown to the left side and he picks up 6 yards on the 1st down run.
2nd and 4 from the CIN 45.
WE ARE AT THE END OF THE FIRST QUARTER!!!
Burrow to the left side on the out route and he leaps over a defender for a spectacular 12 yard gain.
1st and 10 from the CIN 39.
CIN get the ball back from their 27 and Burrow's pass on the right side was dropped by Gesicki.
2nd and 10 from the CIN 27.
Nix rolls right and sprints up the sideline but he is tripped up after a gain of 2.
4th and 6 from the DEN 37 with 32 seconds to go in the first quarter.
Nix to McLaughlin out of the backfield and he is taken down after a gain of 4.
3rd and 8 from the DEN 35.
After a false start on DEN, Estime gets the pitch to the left side and he takes it for a gain of 3.
2nd and 12 from the DEN 31.
Estime moves the chains with a gain of 2 up the middle.
1st and 10 from the DEN 33.
DEN take over from their 22 and McLaughlin gets a nice gain of 9 yards on the run to the right side to start the drive.
2nd and 1 from the DEN 31.
TURNOVER ON DOWNS!!!
Brown up the middle and he is stopped for no gain!
The Broncos are going to take over from their 22!
TIMEOUT CIN WITH 4:32 TO GO IN THE 1ST QUARTER.
Brown up the middle on the run out of the shotgun and he is stopped short of the marker.
4th and 1 from the DEN 22.
Quick throw to Gesicki who reels it in for a gain of 6.
3rd and 3 from the DEN 24.
Pitch to Brown out of the shotgun and he gets a yard on the first down run.
2nd and 10 from the DEN 30.
Burrow rolls left and finds Chase on the crossing route for a pick up of 7 yards and a first down.
1st and 10 from the DEN 31.
Burrow's short pass to Chase was batted away by Bonitto,
3rd and 6 from the DEN 38.
Brown to the left side and he gets 4 yards on the 1st down run.
2nd and 6 from the DEN 38.
Burrow connect with Gesicki over the middle on the slant and he takes it for 12 yards and a first down.
1st and 10 from the DEN 42.
Burrow looking for Chase for the first time today and his pass to the right side is behind the WR.
2nd and 10 from the CIN 46.
Brown on the left side and he picks up 9 yards and a first down out of the shotgun run.
1st and 10 from the CIN 47.
CIN and Joe Burrow get the ball from the 30 to start the game and Burrow finds Grandy for a gain of 7 yards on the right side.
2nd and 7 from the CIN 37.
FIELD GOAL!!!
Lutz bangs home a 30 yard field goal to put the first points of the game on the board.
DEN lead 3-0 with 9:45 to go in the 1st quarter.
Nix takes a shot to the end zone but that pass to Sutton in the corner was over thrown.
4th and 2 from the CIN 12.
Timeout DEN five minutes into this game.
Estime up the middle and he gets 3 yards on the 2nd down run.
3rd and 2 from the CIN 12.
Nix rolls left and tucks it for a 5 yard gain before stepping out of bounds.
2nd and 5 from the CIN 15.
Nix fires a strike for Vele who makes the sliding catch for a gain of 16 yards over the middle.
1st and 10 from the CIN 20.
Nix rolls to the right side and runs out of bounds for a gain of 2.
3rd and 5 from the CIN 36.
Nix on a check down for McLaughlin and he gets 3 yards on the short pass play.
2nd and 7 from the CIN 38.
Nix to the left side on a check down for Estime and he picks up 13 yard and a first down.
1st and 10 from the CIN 41.
Nix finds Mims on the pass to the left side and he runs out of bounds after a gain of 4.
2nd and 6 from the DEN 46.
DEN start the game from the 30 and McLaughlin weaves his way up the middle of the field for a 12 yard gain.
1st and 10 from the DEN 42.
WE ARE UNDERWAY FROM CINCINNATI!!!
DEN win the toss and choose to receive.
AFC playoff picture
Taking a look at the standings in the AFC, we see the Chiefs at the top of the conference with the one seed locked up. Every division is wrapped up except the AFC North which will come down to who comes out on top between the Ravens and Steelers. The Chargers and Broncos came into the week tied at 9-6 occupying two of the three Wild Card spots. If both of those teams win, they are in. The Bengals need to win out, see the Broncos lose out and see the Colts and Dolphins lose or tie one of their next two. The Broncos have the Bengals today and the Chiefs next week, but with the Chiefs having the one seed, they may not come out in full force on the final week of the season. First things first. Both of these teams need a win today before worrying about the future.
Star watch: Broncos
The Broncos were in desperate need of a QB after having a carrousel of QBs come and go in the Mile High City. With the 8th pick in the draft, Sean Payton and the Broncos took Bo Nix out of the University of Oregon, and Payton had his man. He groomed him into being an NFL QB and it didn’t take too long. He threw four picks and zero TDs in the first three games of the season but after that he would throw 13 TDs and just 2 picks in the next nine games. He has 3,235 yards, 22 TDs and 11 INTs on the year, and is contention for Rookie of the Year but more importantly, he has this team primed for a playoff appearance.
Star watch: Bengals
All eyes will be on Joe Burrow today in this playoff type game from Cincy. Despite the Bengals record, he has been putting up incredible numbers worthy of MVP consideration. He leads the NFL in passing yards and passing TDs with 4,229 yards and 39 TDs with just 8 INTs, but that has only translated in seven wins because the defense has been horrendous for the Bengals this year. Burrow knows if they are going to keep their playoff chances alive, he is going to need to keep playing like an MVP.
Season recap: Bengals
As always, there was a lot of hype surrounding this Bengals team coming into the season. They missed the playoffs last year after Burrow missed the second half of the season, but he was back this season and Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase will always put you in contention. They lost their first three and four of their first five, and would struggle to string wins together. Burrow reassured that the Bengals would bounce back and if they got to 10 wins, that should get them to the postseason. Their three game losing streak that finished with a shootout against the Chargers guaranteed they weren’t going to get to 10 wins, that’s when the Bengals turned on. They have won three straight against the Cowboys, Titans and Browns, and need to keep winning to have any chance.
Season recap: Broncos
Not much was expected of the Broncos coming into the season. They had been terrible over the last few seasons and brought in a rookie QB to get this team out of the gutter. They lost their first two games as Bo Nix dinked and dunked his way down the field, but he would turn it on and lead the Broncos to five wins over the next six games. A losing skid against the Ravens and Chiefs would bring them back to earth, but they would rattle off another four wins before their loss last week in LA. The Broncos haven’t been to the playoffs since 2015, but finally they have a QB, who is a rookie, and a defense that is the foundation of this team that is a win away from the playoffs.
Last game: Bengals
The Bengals rattled off their third straight win to stay alive in the playoff race and as always they were relying on their MVP caliber QB Joe Burrow to lead them there. The defense came up with a couple big plays throughout the day including their forced fumble at the 1 yard line and Burrow would lead his team on a 99 yard drive to take the lead and keep the lead for the rest of the day. Another TD pass and field goal right before the half put the Bengals up 14-0 and the defense would come up with two second half picks to hold off DTR and the Browns. Burrow would throw his third of the day on a 32 yard bomb to Ja’marr Chase to put the icing on the cake.
Last game: Broncos
Last Thursday it looked like the Broncos were going to cruise to a Wild Card birth as they ran all over the Chargers in the first half. A running back by committee in the first half as the Broncos went up 21-10 in the first half, but then the offense shut down. The first Fair Catch kick in a half century was awarded to the Chargers right before half and that seemed to turn the tides in LA. They stopped running the ball, and the offense slowed to a halt as the Chargers lit up the scoreboard scoring TDs on three of their four second half possessions to win the gam 34-27 and delay the Broncos playoff birth for at least another week.
We are live from the Jungle
Hello everyone and welcome to Cincinnati where the Bengals somehow, someway still have a chance at a playoff spot after a three game winning streak. It was a rough start to the season despite an MVP type season from Joe Burrow, and they come into today’s game knowing they need to win out and get a lot of help around the league. The Broncos had a chance to clinch their playoff spot last week but were beaten in a division match up so now they have to go on the road against a red hot Bengals team in their stadium.
Broncos vs. Bengals
There is a playoff spot on the line today from Cincinnati. Two teams with playoff aspirations come into the penultimate week of the season knowing the postseason is a possibility but today’s game is a must win. One team is so close they can taste it, while the other will need a win today and a near miracle in Week 18. It’s the Denver Broncos taking on the Cincinnati Bengals from Paycor Stadium and AS English will be with you all day providing stats, scores and highlights of today’s game packed with playoff implications.