Ware lifts Broncos past Bengals 20-17 in overtime

Life is full of second chances, though, and, after a long drive by Denver to open the overtime session, McManus nailed a 37-yarder to put the Broncos up, 20-17. While it will be tough, that’s a game the Bengals should win, with or without Andy Dalton.

After Monday night’s game, it appears the Bengals could beat the Broncos if given another opportunity, even if they didn’t pull it off this time. If they win and the Broncos lose, they could regain the two seed. “I wasn’t nervous out there for the second one”. And yeah, Osweilier may have shown he’s ready to break free from that second-half monkey on his back (his first-half passer rating entering Monday was 109.4, in the second half just 65.6). Osweiler is an up-and-comer who’s had a taste of playing and wants to keep on playing.

“That’s on me”, Green said.

So how did the 4-10 Ravens squelch the high-powered Steelers offence and win 20-17, with a newly acquired quarterback who barely knew the Ravens’ playbook? Jones had nine catches for 178 yards on the day, giving him 127 receptions and 1,722 receiving yards on the season.

Denver can earn the top seed in the AFC with a win over San Diego and a loss by New England next weekend. Owen Daniels came up clutch for the Denver Broncos late, finishing with five catches for 70 yards.

The Broncos improve to11-4 and clinch their fifth consecutive playoff berth while denying the Bengals, also 11-4, their first road win on a Monday night since 1990 and a chance to lock up at least the #2 spot in the AFC and a first-round bye. With a 35-yard reception in the second quarter, Broncos WR Emmanuel Sanders topped the 1,000-yard mark for the season (1,004).

The Bengals got on the scoreboard first when on 3rd and goal from the DEN 5, quarterback A.J. It’s unfair to judge an entire game on one bad play by a guy making his second career start, but the play in question obviously decided the game. So we stuck to it. I think we got some good things out of it. Nice change-up. “We’re all in tune with the game together”.

“That was kicking and screaming”, running back C.J.

Ward should boost Denver’s run defense, too.

The Bengals stopped Denver’s subsequent drive when they forced Anderson to fumble at the Cincinnati 26-yard line with about four minutes left.

The Broncos, a couple drives later, finally put together an adequate drive but questionable play calling and questionable Michael Schofield blocking ensued and the Broncos settled for three to end the half. “It’s sticking to the plan and being able to adjust like we did today offensively and just trusting in our defense and special teams, that they’re going to play well and pick things up”. “So, we expect him to get the rock”.

Quarterback Brock Osweiler, who was filling in for the injured Peyton Manning in the second to last week of the National Football League season, led the overtime drive that resulted in McManus’ game-winning kick.

And there’s this. Tomlin ran offensive coordinator Bruce Arians out of town after 2011 (now one of the best head coaches in the league in Arizona), and pushed long-time defensive coordinator Dick LeBeau out previous year. That included TD throws of 9 and 23 yards to Brown. “It felt great to finish the game that way”. Either way, the Bengals looked like a second rate team when they came out of halftime. It wasn’t about one coach, player or play.