Bengals’ Questionable Late-Game Clock Management Baffles NFL World

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor | Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Cincinnati Bengals head coach Zac Taylor's clock management during the end of the Bengals' game against the Denver Broncos came into question after the Broncos managed to force overtime.

After Broncos quarterback Bo Nix threw an interception late with the game tied 17-17, the Bengals quickly drove the ball within the Broncos' five-yard line. The Broncos had just one timeout left, and Bengals running back Chase Brown wisely slid down before reaching the end zone to take time off the clock.

The clock would stop because of an injury to Brown, but surprisingly, the Bengals decided to go for the touchdown on the next play, second down. They still could have taken a knee to burn the Broncos' timeout or forced time to come off the clock. Instead, the Bengals scored right away, giving the Broncos the ball back with over a minute left.

The time remaining on the clock was enough for the Broncos, who drove down the field and took their final timeout before facing 4th down and short. With the game on the line for the Broncos, Nix threw an unbelievable touchdown to Marvin Mims, tying up the game and forcing overtime. Had he not had the extra timeout, Nix might not have been able to pull off that magic at the end of regulation.

MARVIN HIMS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

📺: NFLN | @marvindmims pic.twitter.com/H4EXNfiC06
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) December 29, 2024

The Bengals would go on to defeat the Broncos in overtime, but the NFL world was still unhappy with Taylor's clock management at the end of the game.

If the Bengals had taken a knee, this game would have been over.

At minimum, would have burned Denver’s final timeout.
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) December 29, 2024

If you’re going to tell the RB to slide on the play before, why would you score on that play?
— JJ Watt (@JJWatt) December 29, 2024

Why did they score ?!?!?
— Scott Hanson (@ScottHanson) December 29, 2024

Boy.. Zac Taylor
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) December 29, 2024

I have no idea how Zac Taylor has a head coaching job. Another guy who has no clock management and situational awareness. pic.twitter.com/YkMjN05fMa
— Scott Reichel (@ReichelRadio) December 29, 2024

zac taylor going for the TD and giving denver 90 seconds with one timeout for a game tying drive surely this won't backfire! pic.twitter.com/GukDRwt06O
— chappie (depressed steelers fan) (@TrentJordanFan) December 29, 2024

They wouldn’t have had any time on the clock for that touchdown had they kicked a field goal after draining clock.

This is malpractice imo

Maybe zac taylor gets fired and Ben Johnson becomes the bengals HC next year pic.twitter.com/FGOaDFhfkD
— kyle (@Ky1eLong) December 29, 2024

ok zac you’re gonna manage the clock and not give denver enough time to score here right?”

zac taylor: pic.twitter.com/3oOc6TgDMA
— Annie Agar (@AnnieAgar) December 29, 2024

Zac Taylor and the entire Bengals coaching staff should be fired before the overtime for that absolutely idiotic clock management.
— Gerry Callahan (@GerryCallahan) December 29, 2024

Thanks to the win, the Bengals remain alive in the playoff race. The Bengals will need to win next week, and get some help from elsewhere in the AFC, to clinch a spot in the postseason.