Manning's 4 picks lift Cincy to Monday night win

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.

Manning's pick-six puts Cincy in front

CINCINNATI - Peyton Manning must not like the rain.

Five minutes after the Bengals regained a 2-point lead in a driving rainstorm at Paul Brown Stadium, Manning was intercepted on his succeeding possession when Dre Kirkpatrick stepped in front of Julius Thomas and raced the other way untouched 30 yards for the touchdown.

The pick is the third on the night for Manning, Adam Jones and Reggie Nelson securing the other two as Cincy takes a 37-28 lead on the Broncos in the final frame Monday night.

Denver (11-3) rallied for a 28-27 lead in the third quarter after a meandering first half that found 17 unanswered from the home side and only 125 yards from what recently was heralded as the best offensive eleven in generations.

Emmanuel Sanders caught two scores and C.J. Anderson rushed for a third in that time after Giovani Bernard snagged a 22 yarder from Dalton to give the Bengals a 27-14 lead.

Aqib Talib put the Broncos out front early on a pick-six off Andy Dalton, though Cincy's Jeremy Hill powered 85 yards for the tying score 23 seconds later.

Peyton Manning questionable on Monday night

CINCINNATI - Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning has been listed as questionable for the team's Monday night meeting with the Cincinnati Bengals after sustaining a thigh injury eight days ago.

He is expected to start the game, though was limited in practice over the past week after taking a shot to his thigh by Chargers linebacker Donald Butler.

Manning played the second half of that game, a 22-10 victory for the Broncos.

The five-time league MVP did not miss a start over 16 of his 17 seasons, missing the 2011 campaign with the Colts after having spinal surgery.