Bengals-Jaguars score, takeaways: Jake Browning leads Cincy to OT win as Trevor Lawrence leaves with injury

Browning did his best Joe Burrow impression while keeping Cincinnati's playoff hopes alive

The best "Monday Night Football" game of the season was decided in overtime by backup quarterbacks after Trevor Lawrence suffered an ankle injury late in regulation. While the Jaguars were able to force overtime, it was unable to stop Bengals backup quarterback Jake Browning, who led Cincinnati to a 34-31 win in Duval. 

The win evened the Bengals' record while keeping Cincinnati alive for one of the AFC's three wild-card playoff spots. Jacksonville, who remains in first place in the AFC South despite the loss, is hoping it hasn't lost Lawrence for an extended period of time after he left Monday night's game after being sacked by Trey Hendrickson with less than six minutes left in the fourth quarter. Lawrence pounded the ground in frustration after getting injured before leaving the field with the aid of members of the Jaguars' medical staff. 

Jacksonville missed its 48-yard field goal attempt one play after Lawrence left the game. Evan McPherson briefly gave the Bengals the lead before Jaguars backup QB C.J. Beathard completed four straight passes to set up Brandon McManus' 40-yard field goal to force overtime. 

The Jaguars got the ball first and were on the move until Cincinnati's defense made a stand on its side of the field. Browning took advantage by completing key passes to Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins that set the stage for McPherson's game-wining 48-yard field goal. 

Here's a closer look at what was a thrilling way to cap off Week 13. 

Why the Bengals won 

There's a host of reasons why the Bengals snapped their three-game losing streak. But the biggest reason is the play of Browning, who went 32 of 37 for 354 yards in his second-career start. 

It helped that Browning had his full complement of receivers, which was a first for the Bengals for the first time since Week 9. With Higgins back in the lineup, the Bengals offense looked much more like the unit that led Cincinnati to back-to-back AFC title game appearances. Higgins made several key catches, Tyler Boyd contributed with five catches, and Chase dominated with 149 yards that included a 76-yard score that gave the Bengals their first lead early in the third quarter. 

Browning and the passing game was complemented by a revived Bengals rushing attack that has been grossly underutilized for most of the season. It wasn't Monday night, with Joe Mixon tallying 117 total yards and rookie Chase Brown rushing for 61 yards on nine carries. 

Defensively, the Bengals played big when it mattered most. An example of this was when Mike Hilton surged into the backfield (after correctly anticipating a running play) and stuffed D'Ernest Johnson for a four-yard loss after Jacksonville had crossed midfield on the first drive of overtime. Hilton's play helped force a punt while putting the Bengals offense in position to win the game. 

Why the Jaguars lost 

Obviously, losing Lawrence was critical. Without Lawrence (who threw for 258 yards and two touchdowns on 22 of 29 passing before getting hurt), the Jaguars fought but ultimately couldn't mask his absence. The Jaguars offense also played most of the night without Christian Kirk, the team's leading receiver who suffered a groin injury early in the first quarter. 

A big reason for the loss also falls on a Jaguars defense that was torched by Browning, who was sacked just twice. Jacksonville's inability to exploit what was the NFL's 31st-ranked run defense also loomed large in the loss. 

Turning point 

Jacksonville was given the game on a silver platter after Cincinnati tried an ill-advised trick play that led to an inexcusable turnover. On the play, Bengals wideout Boyd threw the ball right to Jaguars linebacker Josh Allen inside Cincinnati's 10-yard-line. 

Lawrence scored on a one-yard touchdown run moments later, but the Jaguars came up empty on their next drive. 

Instead of letting that mistake bury them, the Bengals showed their resolve by putting together a game-tying drive that was jump-started by a 14-yard completion form Browning to Chase and was capped off by Browning's one-yard touchdown run. 

Play of the game 

We've got a tie between two big catches made by Chase and Higgins on the Bengals' game-winning drive. The first catch was an incredible effort by Chase that moved the Bengals close to midfield. 

Higgins' catch three plays later was just as impressive, as he was able to sell the deep route before cutting towards the sideline and getting both feet in bounds while securing the ball. 

Quotable 

"I think I've just a long time to really study myself and how do I play best. And I think that's just when I'm calm. I really just focus on what I can control, going through my reads, my checks, and I think that's where that comes from. Watching Joe (Burrow) play like that, watching a lot of guys play well and play calm, I think that's when I play my best." -- Browning to ESPN postgame when asked about his calm demeanor throughout Monday night's game 

What's next 

Cincinnati will host a Colts team that is one of biggest NFL surprises so far. Indianapolis has received solid play from quarterback Gardner Minshew, who threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns during this past Sunday's overtime win in Nashville. 

The Jaguars will head to Cleveland to take on a Browns team that is coming off back-to-back losses. Cleveland's injuries at QB have started to take its toll; the Browns have not named a starter for this weekend's game after Joe Flacco started during Sunday's loss to the Rams. 

[Dec 4, 2023 at 11:47 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

This is better-than-expected news on Lawrence, given how he reacted on the field. But the MRI will be important to watch.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 11:46 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

The Jags had a chance to grab the No. 1 seed in the AFC, but instead they drop to fourth and hold only a 1-game lead over the Texans and Colts in the AFC South. And obviously, they have big things to worry about with Trevor Lawrence. They play the Browns next week, then the Ravens, Buccaneers, Panthers, and Titans the rest of the way.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 11:45 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

The Bengals are now one of seven AFC teams at either 7-5 or 6-6, three of which are in the AFC North. They play the Colts next week, then the Vikings, Steelers, Chiefs, and Browns to end the year.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 11:43 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

And it's against the Jaguars. Game over, Bengals win. Cincinnati goes to 6-6. The AFC playoff picture is more crowded than ever.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 11:43 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

McPherson nails it... but there's a flag. 

[Dec 4, 2023 at 11:42 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

That's a big third-down stop to move McPherson just a couple yards farther back for the field goal. Looks like it'll be about a 47- or 48-yard kick now. 

[Dec 4, 2023 at 11:32 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

But then Browning comes right back and hits Higgins on the out-breaker just past the sticks. He's played a really good game. Bengals only need a few more yards to get into the deepest part of McPherson's range, but obviously they will want to get as close as possible for a kick.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 11:31 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Perfect call with the screen right behind the blitz, but the throw from Browning just took too long to drop into Mixon's hands. The blocking was there for him, until it wasn't. Huge play by Devin Lloyd to break that up. Had a chance for a big gain.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 11:29 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Ja'Marr Chase is such a baller. What a catch over the middle.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 11:27 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Well that third-and-long play did not work at all. Bengals are gonna get a chance to put together a game-winning drive now, presumably from fairly deep in their own territory after the punt.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 11:26 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

RIDLEY!!!!! (But it's coming back.)

[Dec 4, 2023 at 11:26 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

From our resident Bengals correspondent John Breech:

[Dec 4, 2023 at 11:25 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Fantastic play by Mike Hilton, one of the best slot corners in the league. He timed that blitz perfectly and damn near took the hand-off for D'Ernest Johnson.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 11:24 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

How do you let Engram get that wide open on third down? There's a switch release with Zay Jones and Dax Hill just gets caught up in the wash. Nice design to free the tight end, who has been the go-to guy for much of the night.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 11:17 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Well folks, we're gonna get some free football. Browning! Beathard! Overtime! It's Monday Night Football!

[Dec 4, 2023 at 11:13 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Wow! The Bengals took a timeout to preserve time instead of making the Jaguars to the quick-change stuff to get their kicking team out there. MacManus has a 40-yard try to tie it here. 

[Dec 4, 2023 at 11:11 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Etienne's gotta do a better job of watching his feet and staying inbounds on that catch and run. But Beathard did a nice job to find Washington on the next play and get a bit closer. Then Beathard tries to scramble away from pressure but can't, and the Jags have to take their final timeout.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 11:10 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

That's the type of YAC work Engram has been doing this year. Jags moving toward field goal range now.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 11:06 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Beathard narrowly avoids disaster on his first snap. That is definitely a fumble, the ball is coming out before his knee hits the ground. But Washington comes away with it and the Jags will still have a shot at this thing... but Beathard appears to have hurt his left hand on the play.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 11:02 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

McPherson's field goal is good and now we get to see if Beathard can lead a two-minute drive to tie or win it for the Jaguars. He has thrown 17 passes in three seasons since arriving in Jacksonville.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 10:59 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Well that was quite an important sack! Josh Allen is having himself a game. Took the Bengals out of field-goal range with that one. Huge.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 10:56 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

What a run from Browning! Bengals are now pushing closer to scoring range. The missed field goal set them up with good field position, and Browning slalomed his way through the defense for a big gain on third-and-short.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 10:53 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Lawrence helped to the sideline by trainers, barely able to put any weight on his leg. And now he's on his way back to the locker room. Backup C.J. Beathard will presumably take the next drive, if the Jags get the ball back. And their field goal is no good. Wow. 

[Dec 4, 2023 at 10:52 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Here's the video of Lawrence going to the ground and throwing his helmet: 

[Dec 4, 2023 at 10:51 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

His leg and ankle bent awkwardly underneath him as Trey Hendrickson took him to the ground. He tried to get up and walk off the field but went right back down and threw his helmet at the ground. That's bad.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 10:50 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Lawrence wanted to get rid of that ball quickly but the receiver wasn't looking so he ate it... and now it looks like he might be hurt. This isn't good.