Postgame Observations: Jake Browning Shines, Bengals Rally Past Vikings 27-24

The Bengals are 8-6 following their comeback win over the Vikings.

CINCINNATI — The Bengals rallied from a 14-point deficit to beat the Vikings 27-24 in overtime on Saturday at Paycor Stadium. 

Evan McPherson kicked a 29-yard field goal to give Cincinnati their third-straight win. The Bengals' defense stopped the Vikings on 4th-and-inches in overtime, which gave the offense the ball at the 42-yard line.

Jake Browning found Tyler Boyd for a 44-yard gain on 3rd-and-9 to set up the game-winning field goal. Browning got away from the pass rush, rolled to his right and made a perfect throw to Boyd on the Bengals' sideline. 

Here are our postgame observations:

Fourth Quarter Rally

The Bengals trailed 17-3 entering the fourth quarter, but Jake Browning led Cincinnati on 3-straight touchdown drives to tie the game at 24 with 39 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter.

First, he found Tee Higgins for a 13-yard score. The defense forced a 3-and-out. Browning led Cincinnati on an 11-play, 74-yard drive that ended with a one-yard touchdown run by Joe Mixon on 4th-and-goal. 

Browning wasn't done. He found Higgins for a 21-yard score. The fourth-year receiver made an acrobatic catch and somehow stretched the ball across the goal line. 

The Bengals scored 24 points in the fourth quarter and overtime. 

Brutal Penalty

Germaine Pratt appeared to have a pick-six with 6:21 remaining, but it was nullified due to an offside penalty on Trey Hendrickson. 

They would've taken a 23-17 lead had the interception counted. 

Hendrickson had a solid game overall, finishing with 1.5 sacks. He has 15 sacks this season, which is a Bengals franchise record. 

Other Missed Opportunities

Bengals rookie Charlie Jones was wide open deep downfield for what would've been a 56-yard touchdown in the first half. The ball was just past the outstretched arms of Jones and fell incomplete. Browning's pass might've been a bit long, but Jones also slowed down slightly in the middle of his route.

The Bengals also nearly had an interception in Vikings territory when Dax Hill cut in front of Justin Jefferson. He couldn't hang onto the ball.

Browning appeared to find Higgins for a 40-yard gain late in the first half. It would've given Evan McPherson a chance to kick a field goal in the closing seconds, but it was ruled incomplete following a booth review. 

Jake Browning

Browning threw an ugly interception in the third quarter, but played well overall. He completed 29-of-42 passes for 324 yards and two touchdowns

He gave them a shot to win against a defense that hadn't allowed a touchdown in nearly a month. 

Mixon Moves Up

Mixon's one-yard touchdown run was the 48th of his career. He's now tied with Rudi Johnson for the second-most in team history. Pete Johnson is first with 64 touchdowns. 

Questionable Decision

The Bengals drove the ball downfield on the opening possession of the game. They faced a 3rd-and-1 at the Vikings' 12-yard line. Zac Taylor called a trick play. Jake Browning handed it off to tight end Tanner Hudson. He was going to throw the ball, but Higgins was covered. Hudson was tackled for a 3-yard loss and the Bengals were forced to settle for a field goal.

Injuries

Star defensive tackle DJ Reader suffered a right knee injury on the Vikings' first possession. He was carted off the field and didn't return. Reader is a huge part of this defense. Not having him impacted Saturday's game and will hurt Lou Anarumo's unit moving forward.

Ja'Marr Chase left the game in the fourth quarter with a shoulder injury and didn't return. He did stay on the sideline, but didn't re-enter the game.

Rookie cornerback DJ Ivey suffered a left knee injury while covering a punt in the first quarter and didn't return. For the latest on Reader, go here.

Up Next

The Bengals play the Steelers in Pittsburgh on Saturday, Dec. 23 at 4:30 p.m. ET. 

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