Joe Burrow has made it clear multiple times this season how integral Tee Higgins is to the Bengals and how retaining the wide receiver should be a top priority this coming offseason.
That could not be more evident after Saturday when Cincinnati's playoff hopes were kept alive in large part because of the electric Burrow-Higgins connection during a wild and unforgettable 30-24 win over the Denver Broncos in overtime.
Burrow found Higgins 11 times for 131 yards and three touchdowns, including a 3-yard game-winner in OT. Higgins came up with big play after big play as his team scratched and clawed with its hopes of a playoff berth on life support.
The veteran receiver producing after he was limited throughout the week in practice due to a ankle and knee injuries was not lost on the Bengals.
"He's a warrior," Bengals head coach Zac Taylor told reporters after the game, . "He's fighting through a ton out there, just keeps winning those one-on-ones."
Higgins in particular abused his matchup against Broncos cornerback Riley Moss, whom he burned for seven receptions, 101 yards and two touchdowns, per Next Gen Stats.
"Everybody can see what kind of player he is," Burrow said. "He elevates us to a different level when he's playing like that. Lucky to be a part of what we have going on right here."
The Bengals needed all they got from Higgins -- and Burrow, who threw for 412 yards and three TDs -- on Saturday as Cincinnati dealt with an unflinching Broncos team and its own shortcomings in crunch time (something that has been a staple for the Bengals this season).
Multiple times in appeared that the Bengals had a win in hand. But questionable clock management, poor injury luck and a missed field goal nearly doomed them on Saturday.
"This one is one of the crazier ones that I've been a part of in the NFL," Burrow said. "Feels like we've had a couple of those this year. Nice to come out on top in one."
Saturday's win kept the Bengals' playoff hopes alive (Cincy will be in with a win next week, plus another Broncos loss and at least one loss apiece by the Dolphins and Colts over the next two weeks).
It also ensures at least one more week of meaningful football for Higgins, who will be a free agent this offseason, in a Bengals uniform.
"Just walking into the stadium that's what I was thinking," Higgins said when asked if he had considered that could have been his final home game at Paycor Stadium. "It's a possibility. You never know what happens in the future, but I was just able to -- if it is -- go out with a bang."
