Just like they drew it up. Half an hour prior. The Cincinnati Bengals won Saturday evening’s game against the Denver Broncos in walk-off fashion on a play they drew up during the third quarter, NFL insider Ian Rapoport reports.
“From my understanding, this, actually, was not in the Bengals playbook — they didn’t have it, they ran out of low red-zone plays,” Rapoport said on NFL Network . “So, in the third quarter, right after the field goal, Dan Pitcher, the [offensive coordinator], Joe Burrow and the receivers got together, drew up this play [and it] ended up resulting in the game-winning touchdown.” The play, which came with just about one minute remaining in overtime, featured Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase lining up in the slot and running a slant route while teammate Tee Higgins, lined up on the outside, ran a quick out to the front left corner of the end zone.
Denver blitzed on the play, leaving both Chase and Higgins one-on-one; Burrow, who had already connected with Higgins for two touchdowns on the day, looked in the fifth-year wideout’s direction once more. The Pro Bowl quarterback delivered in perfect timing and through a razor tight window. Higgins secured the pigskin, tapped two toes down in the end zone and the Bengals took home their eighth win of the season.
With the win, playoff hopes remain. Slim though they may be . Burrow finished the contest with four total touchdowns and 412 yards passing.
Higgins hauled in 11 receptions for 131 ya.