The Denver Broncos were destined to win this game tonight, a 23-20 overtime victory over the Cincinnati Bengals in the last Monday Night Football game of the 2015 season. First, the Broncos were down 14-0 early in the second quarter and of course they came back from that deficit led by a big touchdown run by running back C.J. ANDERSON. Second, a missed field goal by their kicker on the last play of regulation sent the game into overtime. And lastly, a mistimed snap by the Bengals’ center ended up in the hands of a Denver defender who had a SUPER quiet game up until that point. 
All in all, the Broncos (11-4) are in the playoffs for the 22nd time in their 56-year franchise history. As mentioned in the above paragraph, the Broncos had to have so many instances go their way in this game to achieve that playoff berth.
Denver quarterback BROCK OSWEILER once again tonight, proved that he just may be the right man to lead the Broncos into the future sans PEYTON MANNING. Tonight, Osweiler was cool, calm, and dead set on his targets like TOM CRUISE was in the 1986 film Top Gun. Osweiler was 27 of 39 for 299 yards, 1 touchdown pass and no pick.
As for the Bengals (11-4), all they had to do was put their foot on the Broncos’ neck in the second quarter when they were up by two touchdowns and they could have won this game and had a first round bye. Now, because they lost they need help from some other AFC teams and of course they have to beat the Baltimore Ravens in the regular season finale next week to secure that first round bye. But at least they made the playoffs.
The Bengals got on the scoreboard first when on 3rd and goal from the DEN 5, quarterback A.J. MCCARRON (22 of 35 for 200 yards, 1 touchdown pass and no pick) took the snap and then looked to his right where he found receiver A.J. GREEN (5 catches for 57 yards and 1 score) near the back of the end zone for a touchdown versus close and ball-playing Denver cornerback AQIB TALIB. With 7:26 to go in the first quarter the Bengals took a 7-0 lead.
Early in the second quarter, the Bengals furthered their lead with a trick play up their sleeve. On 2nd a goal from the DEN 6 yard line, receiver MOHAMED SANU took a direct snap from the center and then ran to his left. There, he received help from running back REX BURKHEAD who got in the way of one Bronco defender enough to keep him far away from Sanu, and then Burkhead blocked another Denver defender out of the play. Finally, Bengal left tackle ANDREW WHITWORTH and tight end TYLER KROFT finishing off some more Denver defenders to clear the way for Sanu to speed into the end zone. With 10:51 left in the second quarter the Bengals took a 14-0 lead.
The Broncos finally got in the end zone and it took place early in the third quarter. On 3rd and 3 from the CIN 8 yard line, Osweiler found a wide open EMMANUEL SANDERS (4 catches for 67 yards and 1 touchdown) for a left corner of the end zone score. With 10:14 left in the third quarter, the Broncos cut Cincinnati’s lead to 14-10.
Anderson (9 carries for 73 yards and 1 score) gave the Broncos their first lead of the game, when he took an Osweiler handoff, then he ran forward, broke a tackle and lastly, he sped untouched into the end zone for a 39 yard score. With 11:17 left in the game the Broncos led 17-14.
After a dropped potential touchdown pass by Green in the end zone on 3rd and 5, the Bengals sent in MIKE NUGENT who took care of a right down the middle field goal of 52 yards. With 6:46 left in the game the score was tied at 17-17.
After a KEVIN HUBER touchback punt, the Broncos took over on their own 20 with 1:40 left in the game. Not too long after they took over on downs, the Broncos received a huge play when tight end OWEN DANIELS (5 catches for 70 yards) took an Osweiler pass down the seam for 26 yards to the DEN 38 yard line. All that hard work on that drive—-54 yards in six plays—-went for naught though, as Broncos placekicker BRANDON MCMANUS sent his 45 yard field goal to the left and nowhere near the goalpost which sent the game to overtime.
McManus atoned for his missed field goal in regulation, with a successful 37 yarder in overtime to give the Broncos a 20-17 lead with 10:00 remaining.
That field goal by McManus ending up being the game-winning field goal, because on 2nd and 10 from the CIN 33, Bengals center RUSSELL BODINE snapped the ball past McCarron who never had a chance at securing the ball. The ball ended up being recovered at the CIN 23 yard line by Broncos outside linebacker DEMARCUS WARE. Game over.
