Joe Burrow and Tee Higgins were pivotal in the Bengals' overtime victory against the Broncos. Burrow completed 39 of 49 passes for 412 yards and three touchdowns, marking his eighth consecutive game with at least 250 yards and three touchdowns, a record in NFL history. Tee Higgins matched his career-best with 11 receptions for 131 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner in overtime. Higgins' performance was particularly impressive as he battled through injuries during the week, showcasing his resilience and connection with Burrow. "He's a warrior," said Bengals head coach Zac Taylor about Higgins' tenacity on the field [1].

The Bengals' path to victory was fraught with challenges, including a missed field goal by kicker Cade York in overtime that could have sealed the win earlier. The team also faced clock management issues in the final minutes of regulation, which allowed Broncos quarterback Bo Nix to tie the game with a touchdown pass, forcing overtime. Despite these setbacks, Cincinnati's defense stepped up, forcing crucial stops in overtime that allowed Burrow and Higgins to orchestrate the game-winning drive. The victory keeps the Bengals' playoff hopes alive, although they will need additional results to go their way in the final week of the season to secure a postseason berth [3].

The Denver Broncos, who were also vying for a playoff spot, missed a crucial opportunity to secure their postseason berth with the loss to the Bengals. Despite a strong start to the season, the Broncos have struggled recently, with back-to-back losses affecting their playoff chances. Quarterback Bo Nix faced challenges against the Bengals' defense, throwing an interception late in the game but also managing to tie the game with a touchdown pass to Marvin Mims Jr. in the final seconds of regulation. The Broncos will now need to win against the Kansas City Chiefs in Week 18 to keep their playoff hopes alive [5].