Cincinnati Bengals Clinch Playoff Spot
By Robby Sabo
Despite a flurry from Manning and company, the Cincinnati Bengals defense helped clinch an NFL playoff berth.
The Cincinnati Bengals defense shut down Peyton Manning at the right times to knock off his Denver Broncos, 37-28. As Dre Kirkpatrik took a Manning interception to the house with just over two minutes remaining, the Bengals realized they just clinched their spot in the playoffs for the fourth straight season.
Andy Dalton got off to a terrible start in this one, as he usually does in primetime. He gifted a pick-six to Aqib Talib only four and half minutes into Monday Night Football. The Bengals settled down after that and seemingly dominated the Broncos, both mentally and physically.
The immediate drive after the Dalton blunder, rookie running back Jeremy Hill took one to the house for an 85-yard touchdown.
The Bengals offense wasn’t done there, as they put up thirteen in the second quarter, giving themselves a nice 20-7 lead at halftime.
After a 77-yard kickoff return by Omar Bolden, CJ Anderson punched a one yard touchdown run in to cut the lead to six. However, the Bengals answered in the same fashion the Broncos did as Adam Jones took the ensuing kickoff for 80 yards down to the Broncos 27 yard line. Three plays later led to a Giovanni Bernard touchdown reception.
Manning then did what Manning does best: score. Two short touchdown receptions from Manning to Emmanuel Sanders gave Denver the lead entering the fourth quarter. As the rain came down harder later in the game, the Cincy faithful had it’s doubts.
After an early fourth quarter field goal from Mike Nugent gave the lead back to Cincy, Marvin Lewis’ defense shutout the Broncos in the fourth quarter, including picking Manning off three times, four in total for the game.
Hill finished the night going for 147 yards and that long touchdown on 22 carries. Dalton was workmanlike, going for 146 and two touchdowns on 17 of 26 passing. Manning turned out to be the goat for the Broncos as his four interceptions were the killer. Turnovers and big plays doomed Denver.
In Week 17, Denver will host Oakland as they look to secure that second AFC BYE with a win, while Cincinnati will travel to Pittsburgh as the winner will be declared AFC North champions, earning a home playoff game in the first round.