The Cincinnati Bengals are now one step closer to pulling off a miracle and making the playoffs thanks to a 30-24 overtime win at home against the Denver Broncos. The Bengals can only clinch a playoff spot if the following happens:
- Bengals win Week 18
- Broncos lose Week 18
- Dolphins lose/tie in either Week 17 or Week 18
- Colts lose/tie in either Week 17 or Week 18
The quarterback play in this one was exceptional as Cincinnati’s Joe Burrow and Denver’s Bo Nix combined for seven total touchdowns and over 680 total yards of offense.
Denver’s fourth-ranked scoring defense had two goal-line stands against Cincy’s high-octane offense, but that still wasn’t enough to stop red-hot Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow who threw for 412 passing yards and scored four total touchdowns.
A walk off win: pic.twitter.com/tD01o0rq3B
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) December 29, 2024
After a turnover on downs on their first two drives of the game, Joe Burrow came alive, completing 15 of his first 20 passes for 121 yards and a touchdown. On the Bengals’ touchdown drive, Burrow completed all four of his passes for 40 yards and a TD to wide receiver Tee Higgins to give Cincinnati a 7-3 lead at halftime. That was Joe Burrow’s 40th touchdown pass of the year, making him one of just 11 quarterbacks ever to throw for 40+ touchdowns in a single season.
Denver running back Jaleel McLaughlin made a name for himself in this game. The NCAA’s all-time leading rusher had 69 yards in the game. 40 of those yards came on Denver’s first touchdown drive of the contest. Broncos quarterback Bo Nix threw a touchdown to Courtland Sutton for his team-leading seventh TD catch of the season. That score tied the game 10-10 late in the third quarter.
Late in the fourth quarter, Bo Nix threw an interception, giving Cincinnati possession with 2:30 left in the game. That was Nix’s 12th interception and 14th turnover of the season.
Cincinnati orchestrated a six-play, 59-yard drive to score a touchdown and take a 24-17 lead with 1:29 remaining in the fourth quarter. Ja’Marr Chase, who had nine catches for 102 yards, had a 38-yard reception on that series.
HONEY WAKE UP!! @joeyb JUST DID THE GRIDDY#EasyToCelebrate | @budlight pic.twitter.com/ZanYgdVqmN
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 29, 2024
On a 4th and 7 with eight seconds left in the game, Broncos rookie quarterback Bo Nix threw his third touchdown of the night – a 25-yarder to Marvin Mims – to tie the game 24-24, sending this one to overtime.
A missed 33-yard field goal in overtime felt like Cincannti’s demise, but the Bengals’ defense came through for its fourth forced punt of the evening to give Cincy one more chance to win the game. They would take advantage as wideout Tee Higgins caught his third touchdown of the night for the walk-off overtime victory.
Denver is still in the running for a playoff spot. The Broncos control their own destiny, meaning they can make the postseason with a win in Week 18 against the Kansas City Chiefs, who will probably not be playing for much since they’ve already locked up the number one seed in the AFC.
The Broncos’ loss also keeps the playoff hopes alive for the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins. However, both of those teams will need help if they want to even sniff the postseason.
