CINCINNATI (AP) _ The Cincinnati Bengals have clinched an AFC playoff berth by rallying in the fourth quarter of a 37-28 triumph over the Denver Broncos.
Dre Kirkpatrick grabbed two of Peyton Manning’s four interceptions and sealed the victory by returning the first for a 30-yard touchdown with 2:41 left. It came about five minutes after Mike Nugent put the Bengals back on top with a 23-yard field goal.
Jeremy Hill sparked the Bengals’ offense with 147 yards on 22 carries. Hill scored Cincinnati’s first touchdown on an 85-yard run in the first quarter, 23 seconds after Aqib Talib brought back an Andy Dalton interception 33 yards for a score.
Cincinnati watched a 27-14 lead evaporate while Manning hit Emmanuel Sanders for a pair of third-quarter touchdowns. Manning was 28 of 44 for 311 yards as the 11-4 Broncos failed to wrap up a first-round bye.
The Bengals are 10-4-1 and will play the Steelers in Pittsburgh for the AFC North title on Sunday.