Bengals stay alive, deny Broncos playoff win

CINCINNATI — The Cincinnati Bengals kept their playoff hopes alive with a 30-24 overtime victory over the Denver Broncos on Saturday at Paycor Stadium, as the Broncos were denied a postseason victory for the second straight week.

Receiver Tee Higgins caught his third touchdown pass of the game in overtime to keep the Bengals alive in the playoffs going into the final weekend of the season. The Broncos are still in prime position for the AFC’s seventh and final playoff spot, needing just a win next week over the Chiefs to qualify. But they were rejected on Saturday.

Here are the key takeaways from Saturday night for both teams:

The streak continues to roll. And the Bengals are still alive.

In a playoff-like atmosphere, Cincinnati defeated the Broncos to win its fourth straight game and stay in postseason contention going into Week 18.

With the win, the Bengals must win against the Steelers next week and have the Colts and Dolphins each lose at least one of their last two games. They also need the Broncos to lose to the Chiefs next week.

Cincinnati did its part in a back-and-forth game Saturday night. Higgins caught a 3-yard touchdown pass to cap off a wild game in which he caught 11 passes for 131 yards and three TDs.

And the Bengals are still in the playoff picture entering Week 18 after a game that won’t be forgotten anytime soon.

Pivotal game: Kicker Cade York had a chance to win the game in regulation and redeem a day of mistakes from the team. However, a 33-yard attempt that would have won the game in overtime hit the left upright. Instead, the Bengals needed a late score to get the win.

Prediction for next week: Devin Cochran starts at right tackle. Rookie Amarius Mims tried to play Saturday despite suffering a broken hand six days ago. Mims started but was unable to get past the midway point of the second quarter. His right hand was in a full club as it had been in practice throughout the week. That could make it difficult for him to start next week against the Steelers.

QB breakdown: Joe Burrow made his fair share of plays against a very good Denver front that sacked him seven times. After throwing for just 157 yards in 2021 against the Broncos, Burrow had a much bigger performance in his second career game against Denver. He was 39-of-49 passing for 412 yards, three touchdowns and no interceptions. He also had a key 19-yard scramble on third-and-14 on a drive that ended in a touchdown. Burrow had to contend with a very good secondary and pass rush and was able to rise to the occasion. — Bone Baby

Next game: at Pittsburgh Steelers (TBD, Sunday, January 5)

The Broncos once again missed out on a bid to secure their first playoff berth since the 2015 season with a rather awkward overtime loss to the Bengals.

It completed a rough swing as back-to-back losses to the Chargers and Bengals sandwiched around Christmas have left the Broncos still thirsting for that long-awaited playoff spot.

The Broncos have now used their breathing space — they were 9-5 after a Dec. 15 win over the Indianapolis Colts — and could need help, depending on how things go the rest of the weekend, to earn the final AFC postseason slot . Coach Sean Payton wrote “get to 10” at the top of his practice sheets last week, referring to a 10th win to close out the playoffs, and the Broncos still aren’t there.

Most Surprising Performance: Maybe it shouldn’t be all that surprising considering he’s playing opposite All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II, but there had to be moments Saturday night when Riley Moss was a little tired from all the action he faced. Moss returned to the lineup after missing three games with a sprained right MCL, and the Bengals immediately targeted receivers he covered. Moss had 10 tackles — his most since the season opener — midway through the third quarter and finished with 14 overall.

Disturbing trend: The Broncos have struggled to play complementary football in recent weeks, especially when the defense could use a breather. After opening the game with a field-goal drive, the Broncos’ other first-half possessions went punt, punt and the end of the half, including a crippling three-and-out after the Broncos’ defense survived a Bengals- 17 game drive without allowing a point. The Bengals scored their first touchdown against a stagnant Broncos defense after three-and-out.

QB breakdown: Bo Nix has discovered in recent weeks how thoroughly opposing defenses can adjust to a quarterback during the season. He has found it increasingly difficult to get to the throws up the middle of the field that he executed effectively to start the season. He didn’t have a completion longer than 16 yards on Saturday until his 51-yard touchdown toss to Marvin Mims Jr. with 8:48 left in the game. Nix also threw an interception to Bengals linebacker Germaine Pratt with 2:30 left in the game, his sixth in the last four games, before responding with a 25-yard game-tying touchdown pass to Mims with eight seconds left in regulation to force overtime . It gave Nix his third game this season with three touchdown passes. — Jeff Legwold

Next game: vs. Kansas City Chiefs (TBD, Sunday, January 5)