Bengals vs. Vikings score, takeaways: Jake Browning leads frantic comeback as Cincinnati wins in overtime

The Bengals erased a 14-point fourth-quarter deficit

Evan McPherson hit a game-winning 29-yard field goal in overtime to give the Cincinnati Bengals a thrilling 27-24 comeback victory over the Minnesota Vikings to keep Cincinnati alive in the wild AFC playoff race. The Bengals rallied from a 17-3 fourth-quarter deficit to win and take over the No. 6 seed in the AFC playoff race (for now). 

Jake Browning went 13 of 19 for 184 yards in the fourth quarter and overtime to bring the Bengals back. Tee Higgs caught both fourth-quarter touchdowns, including an improbable snag with 39 seconds left to tie the game at 24-24 and force overtime. Higgins finished with four catches for 61 yards in the fourth quarter and overtime.

The Bengals were able to snag the win in overtime on their second possession of the extra quarter, after stopping the Vikings on consecutive Nick Mullens quarterback sneaks that failed to gain a yard from the Bengals' 42-yard line. After the fourth-and-1 stop, Browning found Tyler Boyd on third-and-9 for a 44-yard gain that took Cincinnati to the Minnesota 13-yard line and set McPherson up for the winning field goal. Boyd had two catches for 53 yards in the fourth quarter and overtime, as he and Higgins stepped up in the absence of Ja'Marr Chase (left the game with a shoulder injury). 

The Vikings fall to 7-7 with the loss, tied with five other teams with seven losses in the NFC (still remain the No. 6 seed for now). Here are the takeaways from the first game of Saturday's tripleheader.

Why the Bengals won

Give Jake Browning all the credit in the world for getting an offense that had three points on their first six possessions (including halftime) back on track. Browning led the Bengals on three consecutive touchdown possessions and scores on four of their final five possessions (excluding kneel downs), including the game-tying touchdown drive in the final minute of regulation and the game-winning field goal drive in overtime. 

Browning went 19 of 25 for 240 yards with two touchdowns, no interceptions, and a 132.1 passer rating on the final six possessions. The Bengals defense also game up large in the fourth quarter and overtime, allowing just seven points and 103 yards while holding Minnesota to 0 of 3 on third down. 

Why the Vikings lost

Minnesota left points on the table in the first half, as Nick Mullens threw two interceptions -- one in the red zone and one at the Cincinnati 22-yard line -- that took at least six points off the table. The Vikings had a 17-3 lead in the third quarter, but those miscues being avoided could have resulted in a bigger lead. 

Minnesota was also 2 of 5 in the red zone and 0 of 1 on fourth down. Kevin O'Connell called two consecutive "Tush Push" plays in overtime on the Bengals' 42-yard line, but lost yards on the fourth-down play and turned the ball over on downs. Situational football eluded the Vikings in a game they appeared poised to win early in the middle of the third quarter. 

Turning point

Browning set the Bengals up for victory with a third-down throw to Tyler Boyd that resulted in a 44-yard gain that took the Bengals to the Vikings' 13-yard line with 5:31 left in overtime. Browning used his legs to buy time out of the pocket and somehow find Boyd between two defenders.

The threw was one quarterbacks likely shouldn't make, but Browning threaded the needle in a desperate point in overtime and the Bengals receiver rewarded him after both defensive backs missed the ball. The huge play set up the field goal needed to win.

Play of the game

Tee Higgins had one of the best catches of the year when he was able to haul in a 21-yard touchdown pass in the final minute of regulation that ended up forcing overtime. Browning rolled outside the pocket and threw off his back foot with pressure in his face, leaving the pass up for grabs. 

Higgins was able to get the ball before the Vikings could, then reached his arm over the plane of the end zone for score. Somehow Higgins got both feet in, got the ball first, and reached over the plane of the end zone. The pass was a play made when a team is down a touchdown with a minute left, trusting one of the better pass catchers in the game in that spot. 

Higgins came up big for the Bengals when they needed him most. 

The quote

"They should have never cut me." -- Jake Browning admitted he yelled into a camera after Evan McPherson kicked the field goal in overtime to give the Bengals the win, via Paul Dehner of The Athletic. Browning was cut by the Vikings in 2021 and downplayed the revenge factor earlier in the week. 

Up next

The Bengals (8-6) will face the Steelers in Week 16 on Saturday, Dec. 23 while the Vikings (7-7) get the Lions on Sunday, Dec. 24. 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 4:23 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Evan McPherson caps the Bengals comeback! The Bengals are still alive in the AFC playoff race at 8-6, currently the No. 6 seed in the AFC playoffs. 21 straight points for this offense in the 4th quarter. What a comeback by Jake Browning and this team. We're dead and buried with Joe Burrow out weeks ago. Now Ja'Marr Chase is out. Doesn't matter. 

The Vikings fall to 7-7 -- in the NFC logjam of 7-loss teams but till remain the No. 6 seed. 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 4:19 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Jake Browning finds Tyler Boyd for the first down! Bengals in FG range at the Minnesota 13. What a 4th quarter and OT Browning is having. Browning has the Bengals in position to win. At MIN 13. 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 4:16 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

They didn't get it on 3rd AND 4th down! The Vikings lost a yard. Don't ever say the "tush push" is easy to do. 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 4:13 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Vikings -- did they get the "tush push" on 3rd-and-1? We're getting a measurement here. 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 4:09 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Bengals want a PI on that Higgins incomplete pass. Evans did have him by the jersey, but that penalty hasn't been called all day. If I'm the official, I think that's PI. 

Vikings get the ball. A score (TD or FG) wins it now. 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 4:07 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Bengals get the ball first in OT. Remember if they score a TD they win. 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 4:02 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Overtime in the Saturday matinee. Vikings 24, Bengals 24. Bengals score 3 offensive TD in 4th quarter for second time in last 15 years, first time since 2019. Ja'Marr Chase now out of this game. 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 4:01 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

I don't know what just happened there. Charlie Jones was pushed into by a Vikings player, which should result in a penalty. His teammate was blocked into the receiver. We're likely going to OT. 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 3:58 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Most sacks in a season in Bengals history 

Trey Hendrickson -- 15 (2023) 

Trey Hendrickson -- 14 (2021)

[Dec 16, 2023 at 3:55 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Officials rule TD. Three straight TDs for the Bengals on the last three possessions. Jake Browning is finding ways to keep this team alive. We're 39 seconds away from overtime. 24-24. This has become a fun game after a dreadful start. 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 3:54 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

How was that a TD! This game is going bonkers right now. No Ja'Marr Chase in this game. Tee Higgins did catch that pass, but will it be at the 1-yard line or ruled a TD? I think Higgins scored here. 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 3:45 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

I don't know what Nick Mullens was doing there. he threw across his body, but Jordan Addison is going to be a problem in this league for years to come. He just snatched that ball and took away a takeaway form Cincinnati to get Minnesota back the lead. Great play by the rookie. 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 3:42 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Ty Chandler is playing big boy football today. That 30-yard run gives him 22 carries for 131 yards today as the Vikings are at the 1. What a turn of events since the Trey Hendrickson offsides penalty. 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 3:38 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

NICK MULLENS THREW A PICK SIX -- we think. 

The Bengals may have been offsides! 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 3:36 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Mixon has 3 rush TD over the last 4 games. He had 3 in the first 11 games. 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 3:34 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Bengals don't score on 3rd-and-1 on the "tush push" but Joe Mixon gets in on 4th-and-goal on the 1 via a shotgun snap. Great second effort from Mixon to score and tie this up. Bengals erase a 17-3 deficit to tie this game up at 17-17 with 7:46 left. 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 3:30 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Bengals have 139 yards on their last two possessions. It's 1st-and-goal at the 9. The Vikings defense looks gassed as Cincinnati is about to erase a 17-3 deficit with 9:40 left. 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 3:11 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Not enough Ja'Marr Chase targets. 2 catches on just 2 targets and we have 1:30 left in the third quarter. 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 3:07 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Back-to-back scoring drives for the Vikings. Mullens was 4-of-5 for 29 yards on that drive, getting a short field after the Browning INT. Bengals laying an egg on offense today. 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 2:51 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

37-yard pass to Jordan Addison for the TD. It's 14-3 Vikings now after that strike from Nick Mullens, which ended up being the most improbable catch (in terms of catch rate by Next Gen stats) for the Vikings this year. Even with the 2 INT, the Vikings continue to move the ball. Ty Chandler has 15 carries for 75 yards and a score too. 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 2:44 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Vikings get the ball to start the second half. They're moving the ball, but have little to show for it so far. More Ty Chandler would be nice. 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 2:28 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Of course, Mullens throws an interception on the next play. Taking more points off the board. That's 6 points Vikings gave up at halftime. 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 2:21 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

That's a huge sack by Myles Murphy, who the Bengals are playing more over the last several weeks. The Vikings are still in line for a field goal, but that sack might have prevented a TD. 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 2:18 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Jake Browning isn't getting the protection he needs, nor is he getting rid of the ball as quickly as in previous weeks. Been sacked twice by Danielle Hunter and under constant duress. The Vikings have the bets PPG allowed since Week 7 for a reason. 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 2:02 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Great drive by Mullens and the Vikings offense thwarted by that INT in the red zone. Mike Hilton with the INT as the Vikings get nothing from that 14-play, 75-yard drive. Major turning point in the game right now as the score should be at least 10-3 (Vikings up 7-3). 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 1:56 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

It looks poor at times, but Nick Mullens can get the ball to his wideouts. This is why he's QBing for the Vikings. Mullens has started 7-of-9 for 92 yards as the Vikings are moving the ball downfield. 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 1:48 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

That's a TD Jake Browning has to have. Charlie Jones had an easy TD and the Bengals will have to punt. Jones had Harrison Smith beat by 5 yards. There's where Cincinnati misses Joe Burrow. 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 1:38 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

Another sack for Trey Hendrickson. He'll tie his franchise record with that half sack (14 on the year). Hendrick has two 14+ sack seasons in three years in Cincinnati. Bengals will get the ball back after defense gets a stop. 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 1:29 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

First TD in the first quarter for the Vikings since Week 5. Meanwhile, D.J. Reader ruled OUT with a knee injury for teh Bengals. It didn't look good initially and the diagnosis’ is already in. 

[Dec 16, 2023 at 1:26 pm ET · Jeff Kerr]

The Vikings didn't have an opening drive TD until Week 15, as Ty Chandler rushes the ball in for his second TD of the year. Impressive start for the Vikings, as Mullens goes 3-of-3 for 42 yards on the opening possession. Vikings up 7-3.