The Cincinnati Bengals (8-6) were stunned when they lost DJ Reader not too long after the opening kickoff against the Minnesota Vikings (7-7), and he would not be the only player to fall to injury in a rambunctious 27-24 win in overtime. 

This game had pretty much everything. From gunslinger-type throws, to a game-changing score nullified by an offsides penalty, to one of the more impressive touchdown receptions we've seen in a minute. Oh, and a controversial no-call.

Cincinnati scored 21 fourth quarter points to make it their second overtime game in three weeks, and scored three more points when it mattered the most.

When Reader went down on the defense's second play of the day, the Vikings took advantage with balanced and methodical touchdown drive. The entire mood of the game changed at that point, but Cincinnati began settling in on defense.

T.J. Hockenson burned the Bengals for two third down conversions to get the Vikings in scoring range once more, but a tackle for loss from Mike Hilton forced a third-and-long. Defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo doubled Hockenson this time around and with Hilton at free safety, the do-it-all baller intercepted Mullens at the goal line for the defense's fifth red zone takeaway in the last nine games. 

Hilton became the fifth Bengal this season with multiple interceptions, and B.J. Hill joined him but a few minutes later when he picked Mullens off while he was sack the Vikings' quarterback. Hill now has two of the more impressive turnovers we've seen from a defensive lineman in a span of six days, including his interception of Gardner Minshew from last Sunday. 

An inspiring first half for the Bengals' defense was not matched by the offense. While playing from behind for four of the five drives in the first half, Browning and the passing game averaged -0.19 Expected Points Added per drop back against the Vikings' diverse defensive scheme. Browning didn't handle straight drop back situations well, abandoning pockets that led to negative plays, just 81 yards on 9-15 passing. The negative game script also limited the offense to just six carries from Joe Mixon and Chase Brown in the first two quarters. 

The script got further in the red when Nick Mullens made the throw of his life under duress to rookie Jordan Addison for a 37-yard touchdown. DJ Turner II allowed the reception and a couple others on the drive as the pass barely got by his outstretched arms. 

Down 14-3, the Bengals needed Browning to channel the accuracy and decision-making he displayed on the opening drive. What they got was Browning forcing a pass to Irv Smith Jr. in double coverage that resulted in an interception. Anarumo's defense bounced back in their own territory to hold the Vikings to three points.

It was now or never for Browning and Co., down two touchdowns against a blitz heavy defense with just over a quarter to play. Browning faced the music by completing six of six passes for 69 yards and a touchdown to Tee Higgins to make it a 17-10 game. The Vikings knew what was coming, and he still delivered. It was also Higgins' first touchdown since Week 2!

After yet another stop provided by the defense, Browning and the Bengals flipped the script on its head with a strike to Ja'Marr Chase to move the chains on 3rd-and-24. The offense got right next to the goal line a few plays later, and a powerful Joe Mixon run in the A-gap tied the game up at 17 apiece. 

The Vikings hadn't allowed a touchdown in 13 quarters. They surrendered two in two consecutive drives.  

Momentum had swung back in Cincinnati's favor, but it was snuffed out when Hendrickson's offsides flag eliminated Germaine Pratt's pick-six, another would-be legendary play from the linebacker. Mullens took his blessing and connected with Addison again for another whacky touchdown in the face of pressure.

Browning had one more shot to extend the game into overtime and had to do it without Chase, who had left for the locker room with an injury. But he did have Tee Higgins to chuck the ball to. A moonshot to Higgins ended up in the fourth-year receiver's hands at the goal line, and Higgins extended his arm across the plane as he was being tackled out of bounds.

Hendrickson made up for his offsides flag (which looked like he may've timed the snap perfectly) by sacking Mullens to stop the Vikings' last drive in regulation. The Bengals stopped the clock to give Charlie Jones a chance to return a last-second punt, but the Vikings forced Jones' teammate into him to muff the punt. Andrei Iosivas recovered the ball deep in Bengals territory, and Browning knelt for overtime.

The Bengals had the ball first in the extra period, but went three-and-out after Browning and Higgins couldn't connect downfield despite a lot of contact from Akayleb Evans. No pass interference was called.

Like clockwork, Anarumo's embattled unit got a stop when it was absolutely needed. Cincinnati stuffed the Vikings on both third and fourth down, giving the ball back to the offense. Browning once more escaped the pocket on third-and-long, and this time completed a pass to Tyler Boyd in heavy coverage to get into field goal range.

Just like the last time these teams faced each other, Evan McPherson nailed his second field goal of the day to give the Bengals a 27-24 win in overtime.

There will be plenty of stories about this day. What matters most is Jake Browning proved he could go respond when the game isn't going the way it was planned. Browning finished with 324 yards and two touchdowns on 29-42 passing.

It was far from a perfect performance, but against a top-tier defense, the Bengals' signal caller for the remainder of the season showed he can make the plays to flip the script.

And the Bengals are very much alive because of it.

Bengals’ DJ Reader carted off field vs. Vikings

Reader was soon declared out for the game.