Quotes from:
ZAC TAYLOR
Head coach
What is running through your mind after that game?
"I really can't even piece together how long the game was. It took every second of that overtime. On offense we had three possessions, defense got two stops. I challenged these guys to leave it all on the field and we'll take care of you next week in this final game. They did just that. The defense, I want to start with the defense — two stops in overtime. It was unbelievable, given the momentum change that maybe got us there in overtime. For them to rise up and get those two stops and allow the offense a shot to go win it (is) big time stuff. Then offensively, these guys just keep moving. How many punts did we have? One in overtime in maybe? Again, we had some fourth downs that fell short that hurt us where there were no points there, but I thought that overall we were pretty efficient. I know that sack number is going to be high for us because we dropped back and threw the ball so much because we were having so much success. There's a myriad of things there that were the reason why. They're a good rush front (defense) but we felt like we needed to keep putting the ball in the air to keep attacking them."
Can you talk through the math at the end of regulation and how that kept changing for you?
"Yeah. Well, the injury (to halfback Chase Brown) changed everything. We were going to be able to, I believe, kick the walk-off field goal with about 10 seconds left and it's no one's fault. We were telling Chase to slide at the one (yard line) because we figured they were going to let us score there, which he did. He did a great job. Unfortunately, he got his ankle (hurt), so they charged us with a timeout, so that changed everything. Now, you're at second-and-goal at the one and you can down it and make sure they use their time out and then try to score a touchdown from there on third down and maybe kick it on fourth. But you saw our low red zone against them. It's tough all day. They're going to play goal line against every personnel you've got. Nothing was easy for us, especially with the runs down there because they are just so overmatched with their personnel down there. So, we just ran a quarterback sneak and told Joe (Burrow) to score and if you score, great, if not, we'll try something else and they'll have to use their time outs. (We) put it on the defense there to get the stop and unfortunately, they scored on the fourth-and-one, but then the defense rose up in the overtime and got it back for us."
After Cade York missed what would have been the game winning field goal in overtime, did it change the plan if you got the ball back?
"It doesn't matter. We scored, so I don't have to answer that."
Denver could win a playoff spot by winning or tying the game, so how important was it to get the three-and-out and get the ball back?
"It was really hard for me to process because people were asking me that question — what Denver needed to do — and we're just trying to win the game. They ran it a couple of times there and they threw it on third down and saved us. Not that the time was going to be critical — I thought we were going to have plenty of time to go and do what we needed to do. It's an interesting situation. There's a lot going through your mind. You're having to process it, make quick decisions. It was a tough game. There's a lot we're going to review over the next several years from this game, I'm sure, that will teach us a lot about how to handle some of these situations. I thought our communication was really good. (There were) some really challenging situations."
How do you characterize the day Tee Higgins had?
"He's a warrior. He's fighting through a lot there and he just keeps rolling out there and keeps winning these one-on-ones. That game-winner was a play we talked about after one of the first couple red zone drives where it was tough. We were low red zone and we just said, 'Let's get Tee a one-on-one' on the same route Ja'Marr (Chase) scored on against Pittsburgh in the opener a few years ago down here at the buzzer. They want to take away one of our guys, the other ones are just going to go win. And then, you look at Drei (Andrei Iosivas) and Mike (Gesicki). Drei had (59 receiving yards) and Gesicki had 10 catches, I think. We had a lot of matchup problems and our guys stepped up in a big way today."
Was there any chance Higgins might not play coming into the game today?
"No. He maintained — what is today, Saturday? (On) Tuesday, the first meeting we had, he brought his phone to the meeting and I was in the back of the room and he texted me, 'I'm playing.' So, you know, it's early in the week so I just let those guys get their space, really, to get right. But he was sending a pretty clear message that he saw personnel on the screen and said, 'No, I'm playing.'"
He wasn't initially in the personnel you had for the game?
"Well, you always have to plan. You never know when a guy doesn't finish the (previous) game. It's early in the week. Trust me when I say this, we do this all the time, so that's nothing big. But that was his way of telling me early on, 'You're going to have me.'"
Given the season he has had with injuries and such, what does tonight say about his resilience?
"He's been resilient every step of the way, fighting through stuff. When he's on the field, he is a warrior. He looked so good in warmups. When you watch our guys run routes, I know everybody sees it and it gives you a lot of confidence when you walk on the field to start calling plays for some of the guys we've got."
Can you take us through the second to last play of overtime to set up the winning touchdown?
"The one to Tee (Higgins) on the sidelines? Yeah, there's just so many situations you learn from over the course of the season. This season, we've been in this situation a lot. We were in it against Baltimore a couple times. Those are moments — we were beating them on slants. Same thing against Baltimore. You go to the well too many times and Marlon (Humphrey) gets us on the last one and you learn a lesson there. All right, we've run slants. Now, we've got to take a shot and run by them. That's what Tee won on, I'm pretty sure. We called that play a million times in this game, so I think that's we did there. It might have been a conversion, I can't quite remember, but Joe (Burrow) trusted him to go make a play and he did."
It seems like you've been able to get a lot of production from Joseph Ossai recently and Cedric Johnson also had a sack today. How much did those guys have an impact today?
"Yeah, it starts with practice. They practice really hard. They practice like it's the game. You feel confident that's going to translate for them and I've said this before — I stand right behind the scout team quarterback and I almost get hit on every single pass play because those guys are on a mission, I think, to make sure they can affect the passer. They've done a great job of that, especially recently."
You've talked about short yardage and how tough that was. What made it so tough down there and did you come into this game with a plan to go for it in those fourth-down situations?
"A lot of those just fell in areas where you're going to go for it. The one we got stopped on the first drive was a fourth and pretty short — inches — so we're going for it. Unfortunately, we didn't get it. The low red zone inside the three (yard line), in this situation, I was going for it. We went for it, it didn't work out for us. They do a good job. They've got great coaches, great players down there that make things really hard. We had a really good red zone plan that I really believed in, that (Justin) Rascati and Pitch (Dan Pitcher) had done. It was a great plan. I don't know how many red zone plays we had. It felt like 25, so we were just making it up. The last play, we just made it up. We drew it up and it's not hard for the guys to handle. We're kind of off the menu at that point and our guys are smart players and can handle it."
So many games this season have come down to those type of moments and haven't gone your way ...
"You're right. You're right. This just felt different. Our team has some momentum right now. We've learned from other games this season and guys just stepped up and made these plays tonight. There were moments where you probably could have said to yourself, 'Here we go again.' It's a similar issue that just happened, but our guys — whatever unit picked up the other unit that had maybe fallen a little bit and we were able to go win the game. Special teams played a big part. I know we missed a kick, but special teams played a really big part in this game. It's a credit to Darrin (Simmons) and that whole unit. That was a big matchup for us going into this game and Denver has a great unit, great returners and I thought our guys performed really well and gave us a great chance to have good field position and limit their field position as well."
Any indication how severe Chase Brown's injury may be?
"I don't know. I just know it's an ankle sprain."
Was there any consideration to having him take three kneel downs as opposed to having him slide at the one-yard line?
"No. We were just going to keep running the ball and try to get what we could, and try to get down there. Again, there's going to be a lot we could talk about. We felt good about our decision there to get down to the one. You're never assuming there's going to be an injury, of course. That's not (something) you're factoring in. You're trying to get as close as possible to keep all options on the table. Our math said there's going to be around 10 seconds to get that walk off and then, of course, the injury immediately changes everything, so then you've got to pivot and it's a different conversation."
Is Amarius Mims' injury one you can elaborate on at this time?
"We'll see. I don't know. It's the same hand he went in the game with (an injury)."
Is there a possibility Evan McPherson will be able to come back this season?
"We'll see. We'll keep taking it week to week and see where it ends up."
Is it one of those things where Amarius Mims tried to go and just couldn't?
"Yeah. It's hard to know because you don't have a lot of contact during the week, so we do our best. At this point in the year, we're pretty limited with what we're doing in practice. It was a six-day week, so we lost a day of practice, really, and so there's not a lot of opportunity to really test it like you're going to test it in a game, going against their guys. He just got to a point where he couldn't go."
Why have you been able to stay alive for the playoffs given you were 4-8 at one point?
"We know we've had a good football team all along. In those games, it's disappointing that we came up short. It didn't change our process. It didn't change what our guys believed in. We didn't have to change everything we did. We still believed in what we were doing and now we've won four in a row, and now we've got to make it five in a row."
There's been a lot of talk about the league MVP this season being a two-man race between Lamar Jackson and Josh Allen. With the way he's playing especially down the stretch, do you believe Joe Burrow should be in that conversation?
"I don't know how anybody can stand on the field and watch Joe Burrow and not say he's the best player in the world. You can transfer that argument to Ja'Marr Chase as well and you can argue those two to death. But the clearest thing I can say is I would not trade Joe Burrow for any player in the universe. To me, that's MVP to me."
JOE BURROW
Quarterback
How are you feeling after that one?
"Tired."
Was this game crazier than the Louisiana State vs. Texas A&M seven-overtime game in 2018?
"I don't know about that. That one was pretty crazy, but this one was one of the crazier ones I've been a part of in the NFL. It feels like we've had a couple of those this year and its nice to come out on top of one."
Walk us through that sideline throw to Tee Higgins in overtime that set up the game-winner?
"We'd been throwing it short on them with 10-yard stops and we'd been completing some of those, so I was waiting for the right moment to take our shot there. What a great catch by Tee. Tee came up big. He was unbelievable today."
Knowing that Pat Surtain II was going to be on Ja'Marr Chase, did you know early on that you were going to have to lean on other guys in order to win this one?
"No, I just throw it where the defense tells me to. If they're going to double Ja'Marr, I'm going to throw it to Tee (Higgins). If Ja'Marr is going to get a one-on-one, I'm going to throw it to him. I think he had over 100 yards, so it wasn't like we weren't throwing it at him. Everybody stepped up big. Mike (Gesicki) stepped up big for us. Andrei (Iosivas) had a couple big plays. Obviously, Tee and Ja'Marr. When Chase (Brown) goes down, Khalil (Herbert) goes in and has some big runs for us. It was nice to see all those guys step up and make big plays for us."
You've praised Tee Higgins a lot in the past, saying he was a need and a part of the future. Tonight I assume it's a big reason why when he's able to do what he did ...
"Everybody can see what kind of player he is. 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 now."
Can you envision the offense without Tee Higgins, given what you saw tonight?
"We've played games without Tee this year, so we've found ways to still move the ball and create big plays. But obviously, we're at a different level when Tee's out there."
On Dec. 1 after the Pittsburgh game, you guys dropped to 4-8. What does it mean now, in the final week of the season, to still be playing meaningful football, just a little over a month later?
"We're finding our way back into it. We still need a little help, but all we can do now is go control what we can control and try to get a big win next week."
There were so many ups and downs. It looks like it's over at the end of regulation. It's not. You miss the field goal. What's going through your mind?
"It felt like we had won it a couple times and weren't able to close it out. I think we found ourselves in that spot a couple times this year, and as an offense, we didn't go close it out ourselves. Today we did, so that felt good."
Mentally, what's going on in your mind when it's like that, when it feels like it's about to be over?
"The way the season has gone, deep in your mind, it felt like you'd won it, but crazier things have happened. I was just trying to stay calm and put my mindset in the right place to go and have to do it again, and then again. So, I'm happy we were able to do it."
You finally get that win over a good team in a game that's been back and forth the whole way. Earlier in the year, a lot of these have not gone your way. Does it feel like this team has turned a corner, and if you guys get in, you'll be able to hang with anyone?
"We know we can hang with anybody. We've proven that this year. We've played every single team close. So, it's just about making the plays down the stretch to win those games. Today, we did. The last four weeks we have, and we've got to continue to do it."
You've been saying that the guys in the locker room are who you do this for. Is a moment like today, after that type of game and a celebration like that, just a reminder of times that you've said those are what get you through the hard moments of a season like this?
"That was a fun environment to walk into. That's why you do it. When you're losing, it's definitely not as fun to walk into a locker room after a loss. And when you have so many guys step up big for us and have so many game balls go out, that's a great feeling."
You were pretty realistic a few weeks ago about where you guys were at. Did you ever imagine that this would still be in the cards in Week 18? Why are you in this position after being where you were a few weeks ago?
"We knew we still had a chance. We just had to go and win out. It was a big win, but we'll enjoy it tonight and then take a step back, settle ourselves, and then move on to the task at hand next week going to Pittsburgh and trying to win that game."
What did you see on that winning touchdown pass?
"They'd been playing it down there like that the whole day. We'd already hit one to Tee (Higgins) in the back of the end zone and figured they'd be worried about it. So, it was a great call by Zac (Taylor) to throw one at the front pylon right there and then Tee made a great catch."
Denver obviously has a really good defense, and you guys were moving the ball up and down the field from the get-go all night long. How would you describe this offense right now and how you guys are playing?
"I think we're the best offense in the league. We've had our moments, just like every offense does, where you stall out a little bit. But we've been so consistent this whole year. Guys stepping up in big spots and making big plays for us. Guys go down, somebody else has to step up and make plays, and we've just consistently done that. It feels good to get a win like this where nothing's going our way down the stretch, and our defense gets a couple big stops in overtime there, and we're finally able to punch it in the end zone."
There's a lot of conversation outside about you being in the conversation for MVP with how you've played in the last couple of weeks and if you're able to get the team into the postseason. Dallas linebacker Micah Parsons tweeted about you today after the game. Does that mean anything to you?
"When you have your peers standing up for you — I've got a lot of respect for Micah. I've seen the things he's said about me and that makes you feel good. I put a lot of work into this to go out and play well every Sunday. When you have conversations with the opposing team and coaches and you see comments like that, it's a good feeling. It's not why you do it, but in a season like this, those things make you feel good, so I appreciate those."
Is this one of the games where you calculate to hold onto the ball longer, try to extend plays knowing you might get sacked? Did you make that decision in the game to do what you can to extend plays?
"Yeah, there are spots where I probably took a sack where I didn't need to, and missed a couple throws early in the game, but that's a good defense. They were matching in coverage and doing a great job of keeping me in the pocket. You could tell that was an emphasis, so it was tough for me to get out and try to make plays. I was still able to get out and make a couple with my legs in scramble drill situations, but for the most part, you could tell they were worried about it and they did a good job."
You haven't 'Griddied' after a touchdown, have you?
"No, I don't think so."
What prompted this one?
"I got up and wasn't quite sure what to do. I was holding the ball, and then I looked at Ja'Marr (Chase). He shrugged and said, 'What are you going to do?' And I just started hitting it. I don't know. We locked eyes, and I just started doing it."
Do you practice that a lot with him?
"No, I don't think I ever have."
With tomorrow off, are you going to be watching the Indianapolis and Miami games? Do you just shut that out? How does that work for you?
"We'll watch them. I'll go in and do my normal postgame routine, lift and get treatment and whatnot. I forgot it was Saturday. It'll be nice to sit back and relax. I've got a bunch of family and friends in town, so it'll be nice to sit back and relax, watch some games with them, do Christmas with the family and have a day to chill."
Did Ja'Marr Chase say anything about the 'Griddy' afterward?
"He said it didn't look bad, so I'll take it."
Did you say anything to the offense before that last drive, after the defense held?
"No, nothing to say. Everybody knows what we've got to go and do. We had another chance to do it and guys stepped up big."
The big play, the first one to Mike Gesicki, seemed to get it going ...
"Yeah. Mike was great today. He made contested plays in big spots. That was probably the biggest one to start that drive off on a good note. Just watching the tape all week, I knew it was going to be a big Mike game, and he stepped up big for us."
TEE HIGGINS
Wide Receiver
You had three touchdown catches today. Walk us through those ...
"On the first, it was a slant. One the second one, he gave me a chance to get a late break there,. And the last one, he put the ball in the right place — the only place I could catch it."
You had 11 catches in the game. When you went into the football game and saw how they were covering you, did you think it could be one of those nights for you?
"Yeah, man. The type of coverage they were giving us was a lot of one-high — a lot of man-on-man — so that's what we shot at it. Joe (Burrow) was able to put the ball in perfect places for me."
Burrow was 39-of-49 for 412 yards and three touchdowns. What's it like playing with No. 9?
"It's amazing. It doesn't get any better than that. He's one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and it shows. He's done it all year."
You had the missed field goal with the ball hitting the uprights, but the team never quit. You got the ball right back and went down the field and scored ...
"It was crazy. We missed the field goal, and they thought the game was over and they were going to win it, but our defense stepped up big. They were doing that all game. They stepped up big."
A lot of people think that Denver's secondary might be the best in football, but all of the receivers had success against them. Talk about that ...
"We are who we are. We've been who we are all year."
You did what you did on a short week. It's a national TV game. A lot of pressure to win. What did you guys do to pull out a win?
"We try to not look at the outside noise, whether they like it or not. We just stay true to who we are, and keep grinding, and digging it, and getting those Ws."
If they win, they're in the playoffs. If you don't, you're out of the playoffs. What will it be like going to Pittsburgh, needing a win?
"Same mentality."
MIKE GESICKI
Tight End
It was a big win for you guys today, pulling it out at the end to stay alive for the playoffs ...
"We've battled a lot of adversity this year."
You had 10 catches today to go with the big games that Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins had. How did it feel to be that involved?
"I was just out there trying to make a play."
ORLANDO BROWN JR.
Offensive Tackle
Do you think you're going to end up needing surgery?
"I will not have to do surgery. Hopefully not."
Is this one of those things with your injury that it's just a pain tolerance thing?
"No, it's a lot deeper than pain tolerance. It's a real injury with a couple other things going on around the leg."
How did it feel to get back out there after being out the past three games?
"It felt great. It was so special to be able to suit up with the team."
There has been a lot of conversation about the winning streak which has you in the playoff picture. The way that Joe Burrow is playing, do you think he be in the front of the conversation for MVP?
"I do. He's shown it. He's put in the time. He's put it on tape. His numbers. He's done it."
If this is a game in September or October, do you finish it with the way you're feeling?
"For sure. It's important to be able to suit up for this team and for this organization. I take a lot of pride in being available for this organization. It's hard being on the sidelines. Regardless, I would have gone out there and fought it."
JA'MARR CHASE
Wide Receiver
You have given yourself the opportunity to go into Week 18 with a chance to go to the playoffs. What's the mood in the locker room right now?
"Right now we're just going to enjoy this win. That's what we're going to do for the next 24 hours."
Describe the performance by Tee Higgins ...
"Love it."
Describe what it was like to play in this game with all of the back and forth, and to come out on top ...
"There was a lot of adversity going on in this game, a lot of up and downs. The defense played big tonight and got us the opportunity to finish it."
You set a franchise record for most catches in a season. How does it feel to be crossing those things off the list?
"It's amazing when there's a win while doing it."
How distraught was Tee Higgins after the fumble?
"He just said, 'It's my fault.' But we have to keep going, you know what I'm saying?"
You've played with Tee Higgins for most of his career. Is this one of the best games you've seen him have?
"This is by far his best game. Everybody knows that."
How have you seen Tee Higgins evolve?
"He's been doing the same things. (If) Joe sees a good matchup, he's taking advantage of the matchup."
You guys have been talking about playing meaningful football in late December, and you're going to take it to Week 18. How have you done it?
"It was the whole purpose — to get us where we want to go. Stayed focused, one game at a time."
Have you ever been in a game like this where it's back and forth, and you come out on top in overtime?
"That's the first time that's happened (like that), but we've had overtime games."
Ever since you, Tee Higgins and Joe Burrow have gone out as captains, you're undefeated. Is that what's been the reason for the success?
"Nope."
MIKE HILTON
Cornerback
Talk about the defense coming up big when it needed to today ...
"We wanted to keep the offense one dimensional and make plays in the backfield. We got a big win."
You had a chance to win it, but the field goal attempt hit the upright. But then the defense came out and got a stop to give the ball back to Joe Burrow and the offense. How big was that?
"That was big. Obviously, the way our season has been going, there's been moments we haven't been successful there. For us to have an opportunity to come out and win the game, especially on our end, and get the ball back to Joe, it was big. And we did that."
It was a playoff atmosphere. If they win, they're in. You guys got the win and are still alive going to Pittsburgh ...
"It's going to be another do or die. We've got to go out there and win a game against a good opponent. Obviously, we need some things outside of our control to happen. But tonight was big, to be able to have a shot at it. That's all you can ask for at this point of the year."
