Bengals recover to win in overtime
Trailing by 14 points late in the third quarter behind an offense that had struggled to move the ball, the Bengals needed Jake Browning to be nearly perfect — and he was.
Browning led Cincinnati to three fourth-quarter touchdowns and directed the winning drive in overtime in his latest extraordinary performance since taking over for injured Joe Burrow, and the Bengals beat the Minnesota Vikings 27-24 on Saturday to improve their position in the playoff race.
Browning won his third straight start and improved to 3-1 since Burrow suffered a season-ending right wrist injury in a loss at Baltimore. This time, he threw for 184 yards and two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and overtime, becoming the fourth quarterback in the last two years to throw for at least that many yards and two or more scores after three quarters.
“I feel like I need a beer,” said Browning, who beat a team that cut him from its practice squad two years ago.
Tee Higgins went high over a Vikings defender to catch a 16yard pass from Browning and make a twisting move at the goal line for the tying touchdown with 39 seconds left in regulation.
Then, in overtime, a scrambling Browning found Tyler Boyd for a 44-yard completion that got Cincinnati (8-6) into Vikings territory and set up Evan McPherson’s game-ending 29yard field goal.
“Jake’s just so steady, you know?” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “He really is. He doesn’t get rattled by a negative play. He doesn’t overreact to it.”
Browning was 29 for 42 for 324 yards with two touchdowns — both to Higgins — and an interception. He completed passes to 11 receivers and has a 110.9 passer rating in his four starts..
Nick Mullens, the fourth
quarterback to start a game this season for the Vikings, was solid in defeat. He passed for 303 yards with two touchdowns but threw two interceptions.
Minnesota (7-7) has lost three of four, the only win in that stretch a 3-0 decision at Las Vegas that led to Joshua Dobbs being benched in favor of Mullens, who had more success finding the Vikings’ playmakers.
Fomer USC standout Jordan Addison had six catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns. Justin Jefferson had seven receptions for 84 yards in his first full game since returning from a hamstring injury.
at Colts 30, Steelers 13:
Gardner Minshew threw three touchdown passes and Indianapolis (8-6) rushed for 170 yards, improving
its playoff prospects in beating Pittsburgh (7-7).
Minshew was 18 of 28 for 215 yards and matched his career high for touchdown passes while leading a Colts offense lacking its usual complement of playmakers. Leading receiver Michael Pittman Jr. left the game because of a concussion, top rusher Zack Moss departed because of a right arm injury, and former 2021 rushing champ Jonathan Taylor (right thumb) didn’t play.
The Colts have won five of six and temporarily moved half a game ahead of three teams for the AFC’s seventh and final playoff spot. The Steelers dropped their third straight and fell into last place in the rugged AFC North, putting coach Mike Tomlin’s run of 16 straight seasons
at .500 or better in jeopardy.
Pittsburgh safety Damontae Kazee was ejected midway through the second quarter for the hit that sidelined Pittman.
Etc.
Quarterback C.J. Stroud will miss Houston’s game against Tennessee on Sunday after sustaining a concussion last week . ... Philadelphia cornerback Darius Slay Jr. had arthroscopic knee surgery and will miss at least Monday night’s game at Seattle. ... Atlanta put defensive lineman Kentavius Street on injured reserve and ruled out defensive tackle David Onyemata for Sunday against Carolina . ... The New York Giants activated tight end Darren Waller from injured reserve. Also activated: Green Bay cornerback Eric Stokes.