Top Takeaways From Cincinnati Bengals 27-24 Win Over Minnesota Vikings

Cincinnati is 8-6 following the overtime win.

Author:
James Rapien
Publish date:
Dec 17, 2023 12:10 PM EST

In this story:

CINCINNATI — The Bengals beat the Vikings 27-24 on Saturday at Paycor Stadium. Not only have they won three games in a row, but they've put themselves in position to make the postseason for the third-straight season.

There's still more work to do, but the Bengals currently have the No. 6 seed in the AFC. Here are our top takeaways from the overtime thriller:

Jakey Spin Rate

Dec 16, 2023; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Jake Browning (6) prepares to take the snap in in the first quarter of the game against the Minnesota Vikings at Paycor Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer-USA TODAY Sports — Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer-USA TODAY Sports

Jake Browning appeared to come back down to earth on Saturday. The Bengals struggled to move the ball on offense for most of the game.

They trailed 17-3 entering the fourth quarter and it felt like a Minnesota defense that hadn't allowed a touchdown in nearly a month had the perfect formula to slow down Browning and the Bengals.

Then, "Jakey Spin Rate" came alive. Browning led the Bengals on 3-straight touchdown drives in the fourth quarter. They went up-and-down the field, scoring on drives of 75, 74 and 75 yards.

“Jake’s just so steady. He really is. He doesn’t get rattled by a negative play. He doesn’t overreact to it," head coach Zac Taylor said. "The interception is just a great example. In his fourth-ever career start, he throws a pick—I think it was cover two and the cornerback just played games with him to try and bait him to throw it over the top — and the next play, he came right back the next drive and throws a touchdown. That’s what you want to see from your quarterback—a guy who doesn’t get too high or too low. He’s able to move on, and that’s exactly what he did."

Browning is the first quarterback in NFL history to complete at least 75% (75.97%) of his passes and throw for 1,000 (1,180) yards in his first four starts according to ESPN's Field Yates.

“I feel like I need a beer, but I’m right off of a cramping incident, so I’m probably going to pass on that," Browning joked after the game.

He completed 29-of-42 passes for 324 yards, two scores and one interception in the win.

The Bengals are averaging 32 points-per-game over their three-game winning streak. Browning has 953 passing yards, five touchdowns and two interceptions over that span.

Alpha Tee Higgins

Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Tee Higgins (5) makes a touchdown over Minnesota Vikings cornerback Akayleb Evans (21) in the 4th quarter Paycor Stadium Saturday, December 16, 2023. — © Cara Owsley/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Higgins struggled for most of the game, but came alive in the fourth quarter. The 24-year-old had four receptions for 61 yards and two touchdowns, including an acrobatic grab near the goal-line.

He had the awareness to reach forward and get the ball over the pylon, despite being tackled. All four of Higgins' catches were in the fourth quarter. He made the acrobatic touchdown catch after Ja'Marr Chase left with a shoulder injury.

"Receiver coach Troy came up to me and said, 'it's time to be the alpha,' and I was able to do that and makes those plays," Higgins said.

Higgins scored his first touchdown since Week 2 and showed everyone that he's still an elite receiver, despite dealing with rib and hamstring injuries this season.

O-Line Steps Up Again

Jake Browning, Alex Cappa, Jonah Williams — © Sam Greene/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

Browning was sacked four times, but the offensive line did their job, giving the 27-year-old plenty of time to throw throughout the game.

The Vikings blitz a lot. Browning handled the pressure well and so did the men in the trenches.

Alex Cappa and Ted Karras deserve credit for playing through injuries. Karras hyper-extended his elbow at the end of the first half. Cappa appeared to suffer an ankle injury. He missed one series, but returned to the game.

The Bengals' offensive line also opened up holes in the running game. The Bengals' running backs averaged 4.44 yards-per-carry, racking up 80 yards on 18 attempts. Joe Mixon led the way with 47 yards on 10 carries.

This line has played well over the past month and continues to do their job at a high level.

Overcoming Injuries

DJ Reader Hurt — © Kareem Elgazzar/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Bengals didn't have DJ Reader for most of Saturday's game. Chase went down with a shoulder injury. Joe Burrow is out for the season.

Despite dealing with injuries to core pieces of their team, the Bengals found a way to win.

The defense picked up two huge stops on third and fourth-and-inches in overtime, even though they didn't have Reader on the field. Higgins played great in the fourth quarter and Tyler Boyd'd 44-yard catch and run helped secure the win.

This Bengals' team is resilient and they showed it again on Saturday.

Shooters Shoot

Taylor called a trick play on 3rd-and-1 on the Bengals' opening possession of the game. I didn't like the decision in that moment, especially with the offense moving the ball and in a rhythm.

Despite that, I still want Taylor to call trick plays. I want him to be creative. They haven't worked out in recent weeks, but that doesn't mean he should abandon the trick plays.

Shooters shoot. Taylor needs to keep shooting. At some point one of these trick plays is going to work and it'll likely be in a game changing situation.

Money Mac

Evan McPherson also deserves credit. He was perfect on Saturday, making both of his field goal attempts, including the game-winning 29-yarder. I know it's considered an easy field goal, but he's as consistent as any kicker in the league.

McPherson is 16-for-16 on attempts from 49 yards or less. He's also 34-for-34 on extra point attempts. He's 7-of-12 from 50 or more yards this season. He has multiple game winners and deserves credit for how well he's played this year.

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