Denver Broncos vs Cincinnati Bengals Match Player Stats (Dec 28, 2024)
The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Denver Broncos 30-24 in overtime on December 28, 2024, at Paycor Stadium. This Week 17 matchup featured playoff implications for both teams and delivered dramatic football with eight lead changes in the fourth quarter and overtime.
Quick Game Overview
Final Score: Cincinnati 30, Denver 24 (OT)
Date: December 28, 2024
Venue: Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati
Attendance: 66,546
TV: NFL Network
Denver entered at 9-7, needing a win to clinch a wild-card spot. Cincinnati sat at 8-8, requiring victory to keep their playoff hopes alive.
Table of Contents
Quarterback Performances Define the Game
Joe Burrow Stats: Elite Under Pressure
Joe Burrow produced one of the season’s best quarterback performances despite facing relentless pressure. He absorbed seven sacks yet maintained remarkable efficiency throughout.
| Joe Burrow Stats | Performance |
|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 39/49 |
| Completion % | 79.6% |
| Passing Yards | 412 |
| Passing TDs | 3 |
| Interceptions | 0 |
| Passer Rating | 122.1 |
| Times Sacked | 7 |
| Sack Yards Lost | -28 |
| Rushing Attempts | 4 |
| Rushing Yards | 25 |
| Rushing TDs | 1 |
Key Achievement: This marked Burrow’s eighth straight game with 250+ yards and three touchdowns, extending his NFL record. He also became the 11th quarterback ever to reach 40 passing touchdowns in a season.
Pro Football Focus awarded Burrow their highest grade of his 2024 season and named him NFL Offensive Player of the Week for Week 17.
Bo Nix Stats: Rookie Excellence With One Costly Error
Denver’s rookie quarterback played efficient football for nearly the entire game. His numbers reflect strong decision-making and clutch plays, with one significant exception.
| Bo Nix Stats | Performance |
|---|---|
| Completions/Attempts | 24/31 |
| Completion % | 77.4% |
| Passing Yards | 219 |
| Passing TDs | 3 |
| Interceptions | 1 |
| Passer Rating | 114.9 |
| Times Sacked | 2 |
| Sack Yards Lost | -13 |
| Rushing Attempts | 7 |
| Rushing Yards | 31 |
| Rushing TDs | 0 |
Clutch Moments:
- 51-yard touchdown bomb to Marvin Mims Jr. (traveled 60+ yards in air)
- Game-tying touchdown to Mims with 8 seconds left in regulation
- Converted fourth-and-one for the tying score
Critical Error: At 2:38 in the fourth quarter, score tied 17-17, Nix threw an interception to Germaine Pratt. Denver had just recovered a fumble and possessed good field position when this turnover occurred.
Receiving Stats: Different Approaches, Different Results
Cincinnati’s Balanced Attack
The Bengals spread the ball effectively across multiple receivers, sustaining long drives throughout the game.
| Bengals Receivers | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | TGTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tee Higgins | 11 | 131 | 11.9 | 3 | 12 |
| Ja’Marr Chase | 9 | 102 | 11.3 | 0 | 15 |
| Mike Gesicki | 10 | 86 | 8.6 | 0 | 12 |
| Andrei Iosivas | 3 | 59 | 19.7 | 0 | 4 |
| Chase Brown (RB) | 4 | 24 | 6.0 | 0 | 4 |
Notable Performances:
- Tee Higgins: First career 3-TD game; 10 TD receptions for season (career high)
- Ja’Marr Chase: 113th catch broke franchise single-season record
- Mike Gesicki: Tied career high with 10 receptions
- Andrei Iosivas: Career-high 59 yards, including key 16-yard gain in OT
Denver’s Big-Play Offense
The Broncos relied heavily on explosive plays from a concentrated group of targets.
| Broncos Receivers | REC | YDS | AVG | TD | TGTS |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marvin Mims Jr. | 8 | 103 | 12.9 | 2 | 8 |
| Courtland Sutton | 5 | 55 | 11.0 | 1 | 9 |
| Devaughn Vele | 2 | 27 | 13.5 | 0 | 2 |
| Audric Estime (RB) | 1 | 13 | 13.0 | 0 | 1 |
| Others | 8 | 21 | 2.6 | 0 | 11 |
Mims emerged as the primary weapon, while Sutton provided crucial catches on the final regulation drive.
Running Game Analysis
Both teams found moderate success on the ground, though neither dominated.
| Leading Rushers | Team | ATT | YDS | AVG | TD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jaleel McLaughlin | DEN | 10 | 69 | 6.9 | 0 |
| Chase Brown | CIN | 20 | 67 | 3.4 | 0 |
| Bo Nix | DEN | 7 | 31 | 4.4 | 0 |
| Joe Burrow | CIN | 4 | 25 | 6.3 | 1 |
| Audric Estime | DEN | 9 | 24 | 2.7 | 0 |
| Khalil Herbert | CIN | 4 | 23 | 5.8 | 0 |
Team Totals:
- Denver: 27 carries, 123 yards (4.6 avg)
- Cincinnati: 28 carries, 115 yards (4.1 avg)
McLaughlin’s efficiency stood out, while Brown’s volume helped Cincinnati control possession time.
Defensive Performances
Denver’s Pass Rush Dominance
The Broncos’ defensive line delivered a season-best performance, surpassing their franchise single-season sack record.
| Denver Defenders | Total | Solo | Sacks | TFL | QB Hits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Riley Moss | 14 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Brandon Jones | 13 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| P.J. Locke | 9 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Zach Allen | 7 | 2 | 3.5 | 2 | 6 |
| Ja’Quan McMillian | 7 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Pat Surtain II | 6 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Pass Rush Totals: 7 sacks, 15 QB hits
Zach Allen’s career-high 3.5 sacks included back-to-back sacks on Cincinnati’s first overtime possession. Jonathon Cooper (1.5) and Dondrea Tillman (1.0) also contributed sacks.
Cincinnati’s Timely Defense
While less dominant statistically, Cincinnati’s defense made plays when needed most.
| Cincinnati Defenders | Total | Solo | Sacks | INT | FF |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cam Taylor-Britt | 8 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Germaine Pratt | 8 | 5 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Joseph Ossai | 8 | 5 | 0.5 | 0 | 0 |
| Mike Hilton | 7 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Akeem Davis-Gaither | 6 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Pratt’s interception at 2:38 in the fourth quarter set up Cincinnati’s go-ahead touchdown. Cedric Johnson recorded his first career sack in the second quarter.
Special Teams Impact
| Kicker | Team | FG | XP | Points | Key Moment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wil Lutz | DEN | 1/1 | 3/3 | 6 | Made crucial XP to force OT |
| Cade York | CIN | 1/2 | 3/3 | 6 | Missed 33-yard FG in OT |
York’s miss off the left upright with under three minutes in overtime gave Denver renewed hope, but their offense went three-and-out on the ensuing possession.
Game Control Statistics
Cincinnati dominated time of possession and play count, wearing down Denver’s defense.
| Category | Denver | Cincinnati |
|---|---|---|
| Total Plays | 60 | 84 |
| Time of Possession | 26:57 | 41:56 |
| First Downs | 19 | 34 |
| 3rd Down Conversions | 4/12 (33.3%) | 7/13 (53.8%) |
| Red Zone TDs | 1/2 (50%) | 4/7 (57.1%) |
| Total Yards | 329 | 499 |
| Yards per Play | 5.5 | 5.9 |
Critical Game Sequences
1. Fourth Quarter Turnover Exchange (5:08 – 2:38)
- Pat Surtain II forced and recovered Tee Higgins fumble
- Denver gained possession at own 40-yard line
- Three plays later, Germaine Pratt intercepted Nix
- Cincinnati drove 59 yards in six plays for go-ahead TD
2. Final Regulation Drive
- Denver took over with 1:04 remaining, down 7
- Nix completed passes to Sutton and Mims
- Fourth-and-one TD to Mims with 0:08 left
3. Overtime Drama
- York missed potential game-winning FG
- Denver three-and-out
- Cincinnati game-winning drive capped by Higgins TD
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How did Joe Burrow perform despite seven sacks?
A: Burrow completed 79.6% of his passes for 412 yards, 3 passing TDs, and added a rushing TD. He threw zero interceptions and earned a 122.1 passer rating.
Q: What records were set in this game?
A: Burrow extended his NFL record to eight straight games with 250+ yards and 3 TDs. Ja’Marr Chase broke the Bengals’ single-season reception record. Denver surpassed their franchise single-season sack record.
Q: How did the game end?
A: Tee Higgins caught a 3-yard touchdown pass from Joe Burrow in overtime for his third TD of the game.
Q: What were the playoff implications?
A: Cincinnati kept their playoff hopes alive, while Denver’s loss meant they’d need to win in Week 18 to secure a wild-card spot.
Statistical Comparison to Recent Games
For context on these teams’ performances, Denver’s previous game against Buffalo showed similar late-game struggles. Cincinnati’s matchup with Kansas City featured comparable offensive production.
NFL.com’s playoff scenarios outlined the specific paths each team needed for postseason qualification. ESPN’s win probability chart documented the extreme momentum swings throughout this contest.
Key Takeaways
Pro Football Focus named Denver’s offensive line their “Offensive Line of the Week” after allowing just six pressures on 60 dropbacks. Yet Cincinnati’s offense thrived despite surrendering seven sacks, demonstrating how elite quarterback play can overcome protection issues.
The game exemplified contrasting offensive philosophies. Cincinnati’s 84 plays and balanced attack controlled the clock and sustained drives. Denver’s 60 plays relied on explosive gains but couldn’t match Cincinnati’s consistency in crucial situations.
Individual performances stood out across both rosters. Burrow’s pressure-proof quarterbacking, Higgins’ career day, Allen’s pass-rush dominance, and Mims’ clutch catches all contributed to an instant classic.
The Denver Broncos vs Cincinnati Bengals match player stats from this Week 17 overtime contest showcase how execution in critical moments determines outcomes when playoff berths hang in the balance.
