Bengals Pull Off Astonishing Comeback Over the Vikings
Down 17-3 going into the fourth quarter, the Cincinnati Bengals scored 24 points during the fourth quarter and overtime to pull off a 27-24 win over the Minnesota Vikings. This matchup was important for both teams, as the two of them have been in the hunt for one of the final AFC or NFC Wild Card spots. It’s coming down to the wire, and these teams must find a way to get the job done each week if they want to keep their postseason hopes alive. Let’s find out how the Bengals were able to achieve the comeback victory.
Cincinnati started with the ball first in the first half. They marched down the field in seven minutes, only to score a field goal. Bengals kicker Evan McPherson knocked down a 34-yard field goal to give his team the first points of the day. Minnesota would use six minutes of the clock during their first possession, which led to running back Ty Chandler running in one yard for the touchdown. Vikings kicker Greg Joseph successfully nailed in the extra point, to give Minnesota a 7-3 lead. There would be no scoring action in the second quarter, meaning the Vikings had a 7-3 lead at halftime. Five minutes into the third quarter, Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens threw a 37-yard touchdown pass to receiver Jordan Addison with Greg Joseph knocking in the extra point to extend the lead. With four minutes left during the third quarter, Joseph hit a 39-yard field goal to give Minnesota a 17-3 lead.
In the fourth quarter, Cincinnati started to make their move for a comeback. First, Bengals quarterback Jake Browning threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to receiver Tee Higgins. Evan McPherson would square in the extra point to make the Vikings lead cut to seven. Then, Bengals running back Joe Mixon ran in one yard for the touchdown with less than eight minutes remaining. With McPherson hitting the extra-point this game was all tied up at 17. Minnesota would take the lead once more, as Mullens threw another touchdown pass to Addison, this one for one yard. The Vikings had a 24-17 lead with four minutes to go in the ballgame. Browning found Higgins once again, with 48 seconds left, a 21-yard touchdown pass, and with McPherson successfully getting the extra point, the game would be tied at 24 going into overtime. It would be Cincinnati who would pull it out at the end, McPherson hit the game-winning field goal with 3:15 left in overtime to win this one 27-24. Cincinnati now moves to 8-6 on the season. They currently hold the sixth playoff spot in the AFC playoff picture, we’ll see them face off against division-rival Pittsburgh Steelers on Saturday. For Minnesota, they drop to 7-7 but still hold on to the sixth playoff spot in the NFC playoff picture. The Vikings will face off against their divisional rival the Detroit Lions on Sunday.
Bengals quarterback Jake Browning went 29 for 42 with 324 passing yards, two touchdowns, and an interception. Cincinnati’s running back Joe Mixon had ten carries for 47 yards. Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase had four receptions for 64 while receiver Tee Higgins had four receptions for 61 yards and two touchdowns. Vikings quarterback Nick Mullens went 26 for 33 with 303 passing yards, two touchdowns, and two interceptions. Minnesota’s running back Ty Chandler had 23 carries for 132 rushing yards and a touchdown. Vikings receiver Jordan Addison had six catches for 111 yards and two touchdowns.
