The Cincinnati Bengals narrowly escaped the Denver Broncos in Week 17, earning an overtime win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive.
However, the Bengals likely could have won much more easily if not for some curious late-game management, which led to head coach Zac Taylor receiving significant criticism, despite the win.
Social Media Roasts Zac Taylor for Late-Game Management
Cincinnati scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1:29 remaining, one play after running back Chase Brown injured himself trying to stop short at the one-yard line.
That gave Denver enough time to tie the game, with Marvin Mims’ touchdown with eight seconds remaining sending the game to overtime.
Social media judged Taylor harshly. Long-time Philadelphia Eagles center Jason Kelce questioned the call before the Broncos even tied the game.
“It probably won’t end up mattering, and I know Cincy lost a game this year on a botched FG, but why is Cincinnati giving the Broncos an opportunity to win or tie this game?” said Kelce.
It probably won’t end up mattering, and I know Cincy lost a game earlier this year on a botched FG, but why is Cincinnati giving the Broncos an opportunity to win or tie the game?
— Jason Kelce (@JasonKelce) December 29, 2024
Former Defensive Player of the Year J.J. Watt questioned if there was a disconnect between Taylor’s messaging and the players’ actions at the end of the game.
“If you’re going to tell the RB to slide on the play before, why would you score on that play?” Watt asked.
Later, Kelce added another comment: “This sh** is f***ing wild man. The end of this game has been gut wrenching man.”
If you’re going to tell the RB to slide on the play before, why would you score on that play?
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) December 29, 2024
Current NFL color commentator and 13-year NFL veteran Jason McCourty had a more succinct description of the Bengals’ late-game bungling.
“More games are lost than won in the NFL…” McCourty added.
More games are lost than won in the NFL…
— Jason McCourty (@JasonMcCourty) December 29, 2024
And seven-year NFL veteran Kyle Long had the harshest critique of all, labeling Taylor’s game management as malpractice.
“They wouldn’t have had any time on the clock for that touchdown had they kicked a field goal after draining the clock. This is malpractice imo. Maybe zac taylor gets fired and Ben Johnson becomes the bengals HC next year,” Long said.
They wouldn’t have had any time on the clock for that touchdown had they kicked a field goal after draining clock.
This is malpractice imo
Maybe zac taylor gets fired and Ben Johnson becomes the bengals HC next year pic.twitter.com/FGOaDFhfkD
— kyle (@Ky1eLong) December 29, 2024
Fortunately for Taylor, the Bengals were able to win the game in overtime.
After driving down to the Broncos’ 15-yard line, Taylor chose to kick on third down. This backfired when backup kicker Cade York hit the left upright on a 33-yard field goal, extending the game once again.
However, Tee Higgins caught a game-winning touchdown with just over one minute remaining in overtime, keeping the Bengals’ slim postseason hopes alive.
Can the Bengals Still Make the Playoffs?
Cincinnati must win its final two games to finish 9-8 to have any chance. The good news is the Bengals do control their own destiny in terms of keeping their Week 18 playoff hopes alive. Cincinnati cannot be mathematically eliminated from the postseason after winning in Week 17 because they beat the Broncos — the one team they most needed to lose.
With the win over the Broncos, the Bengals narrowed the gap between the two teams to one game and locked up the head-to-head tiebreaker. The Bengals now need the Broncos to fall in Week 18 to a Kansas City Chiefs team that will be resting starters, having locked up the No. 1 overall seed.
That’s one impediment to the Bengals’ playoff hopes. There are multiple others.
The Bengals cannot win tiebreakers over the Colts or Dolphins. That means both Indianapolis and Miami must lose at least one more game, allowing the Bengals to finish with a better record than both.
The Colts close out the season against the New York Giants and Jacksonville Jaguars, both games they are expected to win. The Dolphins have the Cleveland Browns and the New York Jets. Much like the Colts, the Dolphins will be favored in both. However, both teams have potentially lost their quarterbacks to injuries in Week 17.
Unfortunately, the Bengals will likely end up having dug themselves too large of a hole by starting the season 4-8. But with a win this week, they impressively kept their season alive until the very final game.