Bengals claim epic OT win over Broncos to stay alive in playoff race

Tee Higgins scored a touchdown with 1:07 left in overtime to help the Cincinnati Bengals defeat the Denver Broncos 30-24 Saturday at Paycor Stadium to stay alive in the AFC playoff race.

The Broncos would’ve clinched the final playoff spot in the AFC with a win over the Bengals. Denver, now 9-7, can still book its tickets to the postseason if it beats the Kansas City Chiefs next week. The Broncos haven’t made the playoffs since the 2015 season.

Fans in Cincinnati watched a wild matchup between the Bengals and Broncos. Cincy seemingly had the win secured in the fourth quarter, but Bo Nix found Marvin Mims in the end zone for a 25-yard touchdown on fourth down with eight seconds left in the game to force overtime.

The Bengals had another chance to win in the extra frame, but kicker Cade York missed a 33-yard field goal with 2:49 remaining.

Cincinnati eventually got the ball back in OT, and Joe Burrow quarterbacked a five-play, 63-yard drive that ended with Higgins’ game-winning touchdown.

Burrow again put on a show, completing 39 of 49 pass attempts for 412 yards and three TDs against a strong Broncos defense.

“I don’t know that anybody can stand on the field and watch Joe Burrow and not say that he’s the best player in the world,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said postgame, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.

Higgins led the team with 11 receptions for 131 yards and three scores. Ja’Marr Chase also topped 100 yards on nine catches.

The Bengals, now 8-8, entered Saturday as the AFC’s No. 10 seed. To advance to the playoffs in the regular-season finale, Cincinnati has to beat the Pittsburgh Steelers and needs other teams’ help. Cincy needs the Chiefs to beat the Broncos and both the Miami Dolphins and Indianapolis Colts to lose at least one of their final two regular-season contests.

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