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 Quarterback Brock Osweiler threw for a touchdown and led the
overtime drive that ended in McManus' game-winning field goal,
helping the Broncos improve to 11-4.
Denver running back C.J. Anderson added a 39-yard touchdown run.
The Broncos' defense put the finishing touch on the game when a
shotgun snap went through the arms of Cincinnati quarterback AJ
McCarron and linebacker DeMarcus Ware recovered the fumble, ending
the overtime possession for the Bengals (11-4), who also are
playoff-bound.
Denver had a chance to win the game at the end of regulation but
McManus shanked a 45-yard field attempt wide left, sending the game
into overtime.
Osweiler finished 27-of-39 for 299 yards with one touchdown pass and
no interceptions. McCarron completed 22-of-35 for 200 yards with one
scoring pass and no interceptions.
Trailing by 14-3, the Broncos aired it out to open the third
quarter, marching 81 yards largely on the strength of Osweiler's
passing arm.
He finished off the drive with an eight-yard pass to wide receiver
Emmanuel Sanders, who broke through cornerback Adam Jones' tackle
near the goal line for Denver's first touchdown of the game with
10:14 left in the period.
It was Denver's first second-half score in four games and it would
not be the team's last, though the Broncos turned to their running
game.
After the Broncos' forced a punt, Denver took over on its 48.
Osweiler passed 13 yards to wide receiver Demaryius Thomas before
handing off to Anderson.
With the middle clogged, Anderson darted to his left, broke a tackle
near the line of scrimmage and sprinted 39 yards down the left
sideline, eluding two more tackles before going in for the score to
put Denver up by three with 11:17 remaining.
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Cincinnati evened the score on kicker Mike Nugent's 52-yard field
goal with 6:46 left to play.
Displaying veteran-like efficiency from the outset, McCarron led
long touchdown drives in each of the first two quarters, giving the
Bengals a 14-3 halftime lead.
Cincinnati missed a chance to extend the advantage when Mike Nugent
was wide right with a 45-yard field-goal try late in the second
quarter.
Denver did not get on the scoreboard until McManus kicked a 23-yard
field goal with 18 seconds remaining in the second quarter.
McCarron completed five passes for 47 yards on the Bengals' opening
possession, including a five-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver
A.J. Green, who outjumped cornerback Aqib Talib to make the catch in
the corner of the end zone.
Later, Bengals wide receiver Mohamed Sanu took a direct snap from
center and swept around left end behind a wall of blockers and
waltzed into the end zone untouched from six yards out.
(Editing by John O'Brien)
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