The Cincinnati Bengals secured a crucial 30-24 overtime victory against the Denver Broncos, keeping their playoff aspirations alive as they head into the final week of the season. Tee Higgins was the standout player, catching his third touchdown pass in overtime, and finishing the game with 11 receptions for 131 yards. This win marked the Bengals' fourth consecutive victory, bringing their record to 8-8. To qualify for the playoffs, Cincinnati must defeat the Pittsburgh Steelers next week and hope for losses from both the Indianapolis Colts and Miami Dolphins, along with a Broncos defeat to the Kansas City Chiefs.
On the other side, the Broncos fell to 9-7, continuing their struggle to clinch a playoff berth for the first time since 2015. Coach Sean Payton had emphasized the importance of reaching 10 wins, but consecutive losses to the Chargers and Bengals have made their path to the postseason more complicated. Quarterback Bo Nix faced challenges against the Bengals' defense, throwing for three touchdowns but also tossing an interception that could have cost his team dearly.
Despite the loss, Denver's Riley Moss had a commendable performance with 14 tackles, returning from injury to face a barrage of Bengals' offensive plays. The Broncos will need to regroup quickly as they prepare for a pivotal matchup against the Chiefs next week, while the Bengals aim to capitalize on their momentum heading into the season's final stretch.
