A Look Back: vs. Bengals, 2015
A look back at the Broncos' last matchup against the Bengals, a 2015 overtime comeback victory in Week 16.
As the end of the 2015 season neared, the Broncos needed a win in Week 16 against Cincinnati on Monday Night Football to keep a first-round bye and a division title in play. Against the league's best defense, quarterback AJ McCarron started his second game in the wake of an injury to starting QB Andy Dalton.
The normally staunch defense had a slow start, giving up a touchdown on the first drive of the game. Running back Jeremy Hill had 29 yards as Cincinnati got on the board first. He finished the first quarter with 42 yards, but would have just 21 in the rest of the game.
As Brock Osweiler continued to play while Peyton Manning recovered from a foot injury, he made some plays with his feet, but he and the Broncos offense had trouble getting things going against a tough Bengals defense in the first half.
The defense would eventually lock down Cincinnati. Chris Harris Jr. had a stunning denial on a deep pass to WR A.J. Green.
DE Derek Wolfe had a monster game with one sack, three quarterback hits and three total tackles.
Emmanuel Sanders provided a spark on offense late in the first half when he got behind the defense and took a 35-yard reception to set Denver up with a field goal before halftime.
Bengals running back Gio Bernard didn't have much success either against Denver's defense. He totaled just 14 yards on eight rushes.
WR Demaryius Thomas led the Broncos in receptions with seven, totaling 59 yards.
DE Vance Walker had a great night, racking up five total tackles and one sack.
After an Emmanuel Sanders touchdown reception, RB C.J. Anderson gave the Broncos the lead with a 39-yard touchdown run.
After missing a game-winning field goal attempt in regulation, kicker Brandon McManus redeemed himself in overtime with a 37-yard try to give the Broncos the lead.
Up a field goal in overtime, the Broncos just needed a defensive stop to get the win. They did just that by recovering a botched shotgun snap, delivering the win to secure a chance at a first-round bye, and even a the top AFC seed.
