Bengals-Jaguars score, takeaways: Jake Browning leads Cincy to OT win as Trevor Lawrence leaves with injury

Browning did his best Joe Burrow impression while keeping Cincinnati's playoff hopes alive

The best "Monday Night Football" game of the season was decided in overtime by backup quarterbacks after Trevor Lawrence suffered an ankle injury late in regulation. While the Jaguars were able to force overtime, it was unable to stop Bengals backup quarterback Jake Browning, who led Cincinnati to a 34-31 win in Duval. 

The win evened the Bengals' record while keeping Cincinnati alive for one of the AFC's three wild-card playoff spots. Jacksonville, who remains in first place in the AFC South despite the loss, is hoping it hasn't lost Lawrence for an extended period of time after he left Monday night's game after being sacked by Trey Hendrickson with less than six minutes left in the fourth quarter. Lawrence pounded the ground in frustration after getting injured before leaving the field with the aid of members of the Jaguars' medical staff. 

Jacksonville missed its 48-yard field goal attempt one play after Lawrence left the game. Evan McPherson briefly gave the Bengals the lead before Jaguars backup QB C.J. Beathard completed four straight passes to set up Brandon McManus' 40-yard field goal to force overtime. 

The Jaguars got the ball first and were on the move until Cincinnati's defense made a stand on its side of the field. Browning took advantage by completing key passes to Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins that set the stage for McPherson's game-wining 48-yard field goal. 

Here's a closer look at what was a thrilling way to cap off Week 13. 

Why the Bengals won 

There's a host of reasons why the Bengals snapped their three-game losing streak. But the biggest reason is the play of Browning, who went 32 of 37 for 354 yards in his second-career start. 

It helped that Browning had his full complement of receivers, which was a first for the Bengals for the first time since Week 9. With Higgins back in the lineup, the Bengals offense looked much more like the unit that led Cincinnati to back-to-back AFC title game appearances. Higgins made several key catches, Tyler Boyd contributed with five catches, and Chase dominated with 149 yards that included a 76-yard score that gave the Bengals their first lead early in the third quarter. 

Browning and the passing game was complemented by a revived Bengals rushing attack that has been grossly underutilized for most of the season. It wasn't Monday night, with Joe Mixon tallying 117 total yards and rookie Chase Brown rushing for 61 yards on nine carries. 

Defensively, the Bengals played big when it mattered most. An example of this was when Mike Hilton surged into the backfield (after correctly anticipating a running play) and stuffed D'Ernest Johnson for a four-yard loss after Jacksonville had crossed midfield on the first drive of overtime. Hilton's play helped force a punt while putting the Bengals offense in position to win the game. 

Why the Jaguars lost 

Obviously, losing Lawrence was critical. Without Lawrence (who threw for 258 yards and two touchdowns on 22 of 29 passing before getting hurt), the Jaguars fought but ultimately couldn't mask his absence. The Jaguars offense also played most of the night without Christian Kirk, the team's leading receiver who suffered a groin injury early in the first quarter. 

A big reason for the loss also falls on a Jaguars defense that was torched by Browning, who was sacked just twice. Jacksonville's inability to exploit what was the NFL's 31st-ranked run defense also loomed large in the loss. 

Turning point 

Jacksonville was given the game on a silver platter after Cincinnati tried an ill-advised trick play that led to an inexcusable turnover. On the play, Bengals wideout Boyd threw the ball right to Jaguars linebacker Josh Allen inside Cincinnati's 10-yard-line. 

Lawrence scored on a one-yard touchdown run moments later, but the Jaguars came up empty on their next drive. 

Instead of letting that mistake bury them, the Bengals showed their resolve by putting together a game-tying drive that was jump-started by a 14-yard completion form Browning to Chase and was capped off by Browning's one-yard touchdown run. 

Play of the game 

We've got a tie between two big catches made by Chase and Higgins on the Bengals' game-winning drive. The first catch was an incredible effort by Chase that moved the Bengals close to midfield. 

Higgins' catch three plays later was just as impressive, as he was able to sell the deep route before cutting towards the sideline and getting both feet in bounds while securing the ball. 

Quotable 

"I think I've just a long time to really study myself and how do I play best. And I think that's just when I'm calm. I really just focus on what I can control, going through my reads, my checks, and I think that's where that comes from. Watching Joe (Burrow) play like that, watching a lot of guys play well and play calm, I think that's when I play my best." -- Browning to ESPN postgame when asked about his calm demeanor throughout Monday night's game 

What's next 

Cincinnati will host a Colts team that is one of biggest NFL surprises so far. Indianapolis has received solid play from quarterback Gardner Minshew, who threw for 312 yards and two touchdowns during this past Sunday's overtime win in Nashville. 

The Jaguars will head to Cleveland to take on a Browns team that is coming off back-to-back losses. Cleveland's injuries at QB have started to take its toll; the Browns have not named a starter for this weekend's game after Joe Flacco started during Sunday's loss to the Rams. 

[Dec 4, 2023 at 10:48 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

None of these hand-offs to Ridley have been successful. Not sure why the Jaguars keep trying to make fetch happen.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 10:47 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Lawrence looked like Browning right there. Bootleg to the right and found his man coming across the field for a nice gain. Jags in business just outside the red zone, looking to re-take the lead.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 10:44 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

We haven't usually seen that type of play from Engram this year. It's been more short-area stuff to let him gain yards after the catch. Nice play on a ball down the field there.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 10:40 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Browning's sneak touchdown ties it after Jacksonville took the lead on Lawrence's sneak touchdown.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 10:37 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

First and goal and the Bengals are in business to try to tie this game up. Chase is up to 9-124-1 on 10 targets.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 10:34 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Browning has done a really nice job of throwing on the move. Bootlegs have to be in the game plan heavily through the rest of the season.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 10:30 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Lawrence ALMOST connected with Zay Jones deep down the field on that third-and-long from inside the end zone. Jones had the step on his man and just couldn't come away with it. And he was, uh, very angry about it.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 10:25 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Parker Washington had 0 catches coming into tonight. He's up to 5-53-1 on 5 targets through the end of the third quarter. Nice debut.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 10:24 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

They almost came away with a muffed punt but I am surprised the Bengals punted there. The 41-yard line is kind of no-man's land and fourth-and-8 isn't easy, but if you're not going, you might as well take a delay of game to get more room for the punt.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 10:21 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Chase Brown having by far his biggest game of the season. He missed a bunch of time due to injury earlier this year. He's at 6 carries for 60 yards now.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 10:16 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Trevor Lawrence with the Drew Brees jumpman sneak! 

[Dec 4, 2023 at 10:14 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

What in the world this was, I have no idea. 

[Dec 4, 2023 at 10:13 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Here's the Washington TD. We'll get the pick in a second. 

[Dec 4, 2023 at 10:12 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

DUDE WHAT IN THE WORLD????

[Dec 4, 2023 at 10:08 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Dax Hill almost made an incredible play to pick that off, but instead tipped it up into the air and Washington came down with it. Wow. Let's see if it holds up on review.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 10:07 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

WHAT A CATCH!!1 Are you kidding me? Parker Washington!

[Dec 4, 2023 at 10:03 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

By the way, Cincinnati took this lead after the Jaguars punted on fourth-and-1 from their own 40-yard line on the opening drive of the second half. Jacksonville played overly conservative and paid for it.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 9:58 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

That was a LASER from Lawrence to Zay Jones for a nice gain. Beat two closing defenders to narrowly get the ball in there.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 9:54 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Browning is now 19 of 21 for 261 yards and a touchdown. Incredible.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 9:53 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Great job using that inside arm to hold off the defensive back, who had position and could have potentially came away with a pick. Instead it's a 76-yard touchdown on third-and-2, and the Bengals have their first lead of the night. Wow. 

[Dec 4, 2023 at 9:52 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

WHAT A PLAY BY JA'MARR CHASE!!!!!

[Dec 4, 2023 at 9:48 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Really surprised to see the Jags punt on fourth-and-1 from the 40-yard line. Doug Pederson is usually an aggressive coach and they have converted short-yardage opportunities a couple of times already.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 9:46 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Christian Kirk (who went into the locker room after Jacksonville's first play of the night) has now officially been ruled out. 

[Dec 4, 2023 at 9:32 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Roller-coaster end to the half for the Jaguars, who had clear momentum after two quick strikes on their final possession. Sam Hubbard's sack pins them in third-and-long, and Trevor Lawrence barely scoops up a low snap before chucking it up for Calvin Ridley. The wideout nearly comes back to make a circus catch going to the ground, but he can't secure it. Could've easily been a turnover. Credit to the Bengals defense stepping up to prevent points, and we'll enter the break with this knotted up, 14-14. That's a win for Cincy.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 9:30 pm ET · Cody Benjamin]

Jaguars wisely not wasting the final minute of the half. They start with a quick over-the-middle target and Trevor Lawrence nearly throws for back-to-back first downs with Cincinnati playing off coverage. Sam Hubbard steps up for a critical sack on the next play, however, forcing Doug Pederson to burn the Jags' final timeout.

[Dec 4, 2023 at 9:23 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

Mixon into the end zone again. This game has been a lot more fun than anticipated!

[Dec 4, 2023 at 9:22 pm ET · Jared Dubin]

That's another really nice throw from Browning, on the move to his right. Put the right loft on it to get it over the linebacker and to his man coming across the field. First-and-goal for the Bengals now.