Bengals hang onto slim playoff hopes with 30-24 win in overtime against Broncos

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals have done it again — extending their win streak with a 30-24 victory in overtime against the Denver Broncos.

Cincinnati went into Saturday's matchup knowing their playoff hopes were on the line.

It was a slow start for Cincinnati, who allowed the Broncos to get a field goal on their opening drive.

The Bengals stifled their own opening drive by failing to convert on fourth down. Running back Chase Brown was tripped up by several Broncos players, including linebacker Nik Bonitto.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Bengals drew out a nearly 10-minute drive in the second quarter that once again ended in zero points. Cincinnati went for a fourth-down conversion that ended in Joe Burrow getting sacked. Prior to the fourth down play, it appeared Cincinnati secured a touchdown on third down, but Ja'Marr Chase dropped the pass from Burrow.

The Bengals secured their first points with a 2-yard touchdown pass from Burrow to Tee Higgins, who had a standout game for Cincinnati.

Cincinnati then settled for a 22-yard field goal from Cade York after a drive where the Bengals were bailed out by several Broncos penalties, including pass interference and illegal contact.

The Broncos tied it up in the third quarter with a 6-yard pass from Broncos quarterback Bo Nix to wide receiver Courtland Sutton.

The Bengals found the end zone for the second time in another pass from Burrow to Higgins.

Cincinnati's lead was short-lived when Nix found Marvin Mims Jr. deep in the end zone for a 51-yard touchdown.

On the Bengals' next drive, Higgins fumbled the ball on third down, and Denver recovered it. The play was initially called an incomplete pass before the Broncos challenged the call.

While the Broncos attempted to capitalize on their turnover, Nix threw a ball directly into the arms of Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt.

As Cincinnati moved the ball down the field, Brown went down on a 5-yard dash, tweaking his right ankle. The running back did get up and walk off the field after the play, but he was declared out.

Burrow got his own touchdown on a tush push play, and the quarterback celebrated the touchdown with his the griddy.

Though he had less than two minutes left, Nix was able to move the ball down the field on their last drive finding Mims Jr. in the end zone again to tie it up with less than 10 seconds left, ultimately pushing the game into overtime.

The Bengals won the coin toss heading into overtime but had to punt the ball away after a failed opening drive.

After the Bengals defense stifled the Broncos on their drive, Burrow and company worked the ball down to give York a 33-yard field goal attempt. York's kick hit the goalpost and ricocheted back.

While it seemed all hope was lost after the missed field goal, the Bengals defense once again shut down the Broncos.

Burrow closed out the win with another touchdown pass to Higgins. Higgins made a crucial 31-yard catch prior to the touchdown to get the Bengals to first-and-goal.

After the game, head coach Zac Taylor started his press conference by saying "You got questions? I don't have a lot of answers."

Taylor did praise the team's defense, especially for their two stops in overtime.

Burrow said it was nice to see several players step up and make big plays in the win.

He also said the team is "at a different level" when Higgins is out on the field with the Bengals. Saturday's game may have been Higgins' last game as a Bengal in Paycor Stadium as he approaches free agency.

The Bengals face the Steelers on the road next week for their last game of the regular season.