CINCINNATI - It was a break with a tradition of sorts, Andy Dalton winning a football game in primetime.
After going 2-6 under the lights, including a winless streak in the postseason against three attempts, Dalton and his Cincinnati Bengals handed Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos a 37-28 decision in the rain Monday night.
And catapulting the Bengals (10-4-1) into the playoffs ahead of a meeting with the Pittsburgh Steelers to close their regular season.
Though Cincy in large measure had Manning to thank for it as the wet-handed ace tossed four interceptions, including two to Dre Kirkpatrick, a 30 yard pick-six and the clincher in the red zone on Denver's last chance of the night.
The Bengals enjoyed a 20-7 advantage into the half, but Manning would respond in the third quarter, passing for two scores to Emmanuel Sanders. C.J. Anderson rushed for a third as the Broncos (11-4) took a one-point lead.
Which was about when Manning met up with Kirkpatrick to the delight of 65,000 soaked buckeye staters.
"We'll step back from it," Broncos boss John Fox said after. "We'll learn from it, we'll analyze it, decipher what went wrong with it, get ready for the Raiders next week."
The result looked in doubt for the home side early as Dalton was the victim of a pick-six and a quick 7-0 deficit. His toss for A.J. Green was high and into the clutches of Aqib Talib, who 30 yards later was in Cincy's pay dirt.
Jeremy Hill responded 23 seconds later on an 85 scoring gash to produce the tie. The rookie back carried 22 times for 147 yards as the Bengals outrushed Denver 207-85.
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