In week 17, the Bengals took on the Denver Broncos in an uncommon Saturday game, needing a win to keep their season alive. Though they would still need a fair bit of help, a win in week 17 would mean that they remain alive going into the final week of the regular season. Cincinnati entered this one on a 4 game winning streak, but this test would by far be the toughest one they faced during this stretch. After a number of crushing defeats to good teams, would the Bengals be able to pull this out to stay alive?
The 1st quarter was quite on the scoreboard, but certainly not uneventful. The Broncos opened the scoring with a 30 yard field goal by Will Lutz. Cincinnati, meanwhile, turned it over on downs twice in Denver territory. The first one was just outside the redzone, with Chase Brown getting stuffed on 4th & 1. On their next drive, facing 4th & goal at the 2, Burrow got sacked.
It picked up in the 2nd quarter, with the Bengals offence finally showing they can finish off a drive. A 17 yard pass to Iosivas allowed the unit to really get their feet under them, and Burrow later found Chase for 13 more yards. After getting down to the Denver 2 yard line for a second time in the game, Burrow found Tee Higgins on 2nd down to cap off the drive. 7-3 Bengals.
Later, now in the 2nd half, another Bengals drive stalled deep in Denver territory, but this time ended with them settling for a 30 yard Cade York field goal. The Broncos then proceeded to go on a long drive that took nearly 6 minutes off the clock. It featured a lot of short and intermediate gains, as they slowly marched down the field. After some nice runs by McLaughlin, the Broncos were deep in Cincinnati territory. From 6 yards out, Bo Nix found Sutton for the TD. The game was tied up at 10.
The Bengals had to overcome some adversity on their next drive. Backed up by a sack and then a penalty, Joe Burrow took initiative, scrambling up the middle for a 19 yard gain on 3rd & 13. Later in the drive, it was 4th & 2 on the Denver 28. For the third time in the game, they went for it. But unlike the other two attempts, they converted this one. Burrow’s pass was completed to Chase Brown for 11 yards to keep the drive going. A couple of plays later, Higgins caught his 2nd TD of the game, this one from 12 yards out. 17-10 Bengals.
After a low scoring 1st half, the offensive firepower continued to shine through in the 2nd. The Broncos again were able to respond. After a handful of modest gains, Bo NIx connected with Mims on the deep shot. It was a 51 yard bomb, as Mims was able to split the two safeties and get open over the top. 17-17.
A Tee Higgins fumble on Cincinnati’s next drive was evened out by a Germaine Pratt interception, giving the Bengals a chance to win it late.
They wasted no time moving down the field, as Burrow connected with Chase on a 38 yarder. An 11 yard pass to Chase moved the chains soon after that. With 1st & goal, Brown took the handoff, and attempted to slide short of the goal line, with the idea that they could continue to burn the clock. However, Brown ended up getting hurt on the play, which forced the Bengals to use an injury timeout. This stopped the clock, while also allowing Denver to keep their last timeout. Not ideal. Burrow ended up sneaking it in for a 1 yard TD on the next play. The Bengals had a 24-17 lead, but 1:29 remained on the clock.
The Broncos made it into Cincinnati territory pretty quickly though a handful of chunk gains. But then they faced 4th & 1 on the Bengals 25 yard line. It was a chance for the defence to win the game. Nix faced pressure off the snap, and let go of a desperation pass. The ball sailed into double coverage, but ended up dropping in the perfect spot from their perspective. Mims was between the two defenders, with one in front of him and one behind. He high pointed the ball and came down with it. After some thought about a 2 point attempt, Lutz ended up kicking the extra point to send the game to overtime.
In OT, the Bengals punted on their opening drive. They won the coin toss and had the ball first. Denver then got the ball, needing only a field goal to win and a tie or win to clinch a playoff spot. But the defence held them to a 3 and out.
On their second drive of OT, the Bengals found more success. They moved it well, with Higgins, Gesicki and Khalil Herbert all getting involved. Now at the Denver 15, they decided to kick the field goal on 3rd down. It was the distance of an extra point, but Cade York doinked it off the left upright. No good, and the game continued on.
Something we haven’t seen often from the Cincinnati defence this season, they were able to force a second straight 3 and out. The offence had another chance to win it, facing elimination.
First play of the drive, Burrow found Iosivas for 16 yards. A good drive starter. Then, Herbert ripped off a 13 yard run. At the Denver 34, they were in field goal range, but still looking to advance the ball. Burrow took a deep shot to Higgins, and connected for a 31 yard gain. Instead of sending out York to attempt an even shorter field goal, they kept the offence out there. It paid off in the end, as Burrow found Tee Higgins from 2 yards out. It was the 3rd TD of the games for Higgins, and the game winner for the Bengals. 30-24 final.
The Bengals improve to 8-8, and are at .500 for the first time this season. Still, a lot needs to happen in the final 2 weeks for them to get into the playoffs.
All of the following must happen:
- Bengals beat the Steelers in week 18
- Chiefs beat the Broncos in week 18
- Dolphins lose one of their final two games (@ CLE, @ NYJ)
- Colts lose one of their final two games (@ NYG, vs JAX)
The odds are not in their favour, but given that they were close to zero just a few weeks ago, the fact that there is a plausible path to the playoffs for the Bengals is pretty astonishing. We’ll see if they can take care of business next week, and get the help that they need.
Thumbnail Image Via: All-Pro Reels (CC)