Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning throws during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday, Dec. 22, 2014, in Cincinnati.
CINCINNATI — With everything on the line, the Bengals picked off Peyton Manning in the closing minutes twice, no less and ran themselves right back into the playoffs.
One breakthrough win gave them a chance for another.
Dre Kirkpatrick returned Manning’s third interception of the game for a touchdown in the closing minutes on Monday night, completing a rain-soaked rally for a 37-28 victory over the Denver Broncos and a spot in the playoffs.
The Bengals (10-4-1) secured a playoff berth for the fourth consecutive season, a franchise record. They’ll play in Pittsburgh next Sunday night, with the winner taking the AFC North title.
And then, Cincinnati will get yet another chance to break one of the longest playoff droughts in NFL history — no postseason victory since the 1990 season. First, they go to Pittsburgh to determine when and where they’ll play.