CINCINNATI — The second Tee Higgins caught the game-winning 3-yard landing cross from Joe Burrow in time beyond regulation, he heaved his third landing reception excessive into the air as a cathartic launch.
For Higgins, nevertheless, as he was surrounded by his teammates, flashing a assured glare with diamonds on his tooth shining off the flashing Paycor Stadium lights, this second wasn’t merely about Bengals 30, Broncos 24.
No, this second was about a lot extra. It was about all the pieces.
“It’s the most effective feeling ever,” Higgins stated.
GO DEEPER
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This sense was a few yr by which the Bengals positioned the franchise tag on him fairly than provide a long-term contract. And fairly than complain, he leaned into the work, confirmed up on time and devoted himself to producing a contract yr that might show his price whereas making a run for a title.
The sensation was in regards to the inferred devaluing of his abilities that got here together with presents made to Higgins in every negotiation alongside the best way.
About 5 years spent constructing a connection and deep-rooted respect amongst teammates that lifted this franchise from dregs to the highest and again down, constructing bonds that usually transfer his feelings.
About politely enjoying within the shadows of Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase, one of many nice tandems within the NFL, by no means complaining or selfishly petitioning for the soccer.
Joe and Tee did that.@JoeyB @teehiggins5 pic.twitter.com/cw3HFF2p2q
— NFL (@NFL) December 29, 2024
About his acutely aware choice to draw back from the drama and highlight at practically each flip.
About listening to the phrases “damage inclined” thrown round all yr, calling his toughness into query, but enjoying by knee and ankle accidents when everybody would perceive a choice to close it down.
A few metropolis he by no means anticipated to develop hooked up to loving him again, one “Teeee!” chant at time, one remaining refrain chopping by the victorious pandemonium.
A few recreation the place he walked within the constructing, by the tunnel and into franchise lore understanding this may be his final at residence in Cincinnati.
“Feelings are simply in all places,” Higgins stated, feeling reflective following his 11-reception, 131-yard, three-touchdown emphatic assertion to the whole NFL. “You don’t know what to really feel. It’s a surreal feeling.”
Surreal for everybody. Might this actually be it in Cincinnati? The financials are difficult, the philosophy is price debate. In that second, smoke from the fireworks nonetheless hovering over the celebration, it was surreal, certainly, to suppose this might mark the ultimate picture for followers of one of the vital electrical trios in workforce historical past.
“I hope not, however that might have been my final recreation within the stripes right here,” he stated. “This recreation meant much more to me coming into it. Simply strolling into the stadium, that’s what I used to be considering. It’s a risk. You by no means know what occurs sooner or later.”
“Who Dey! Love you!” – @teehiggins5 pic.twitter.com/yWktRagrhD
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 29, 2024
The trail to this second began with a textual content. With Higgins battling knee and ankle accidents, the primary assembly of the week Tuesday included contingency plans by which he wasn’t on the sector. Higgins pulled out his telephone and despatched a textual content to go coach Zac Taylor.
“I used to be behind the room and he texted me, ‘I’m enjoying,’” Taylor stated. “So, you understand, it’s early within the week, so I simply let these guys get their area, actually, to get proper. However he was sending a reasonably clear message that he noticed personnel on the display and stated, ‘No, I’m enjoying.’”
There was no means he would miss this one. And no means the Bengals would win if he did.
In practically each vital spot Saturday with the season on the road, Burrow turned to Higgins. When the offense scuffled by a number of failed short-yardage and pink zone alternatives, it turned to Higgins as a mismatch. As soon as he motioned right into a slot matchup with Ja’Quan McMillian, he immediately shook him inside for a pitch-and-catch 2-yard landing cross.
As Pat Surtain II slowed Chase, the Bengals sought matchups with Higgins. That included three receptions on three third-down targets.
With a tie recreation within the fourth quarter, Burrow noticed Higgins matched up with nook Riley Moss, whom he focused all evening, and counted on his man to go win. The 6-foot-4 athletic specimen took over with the kind of high-point and toe-drag catch you simply can’t educate.
.@joeyb x @teehiggins5 TOUGHHHH 😤#EasyToCelebrate | @budlight pic.twitter.com/rOiEIoSHvN
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 28, 2024
“All people can see what sort of participant he’s,” stated Burrow, who acknowledged following the primary of those 4 consecutive wins he had a plan to maintain himself, Chase and Higgins collectively for the long run. “He elevates us to a unique degree when he’s enjoying like that. Fortunate to be part of what we now have happening proper now.”
Even when Higgins made a mistake, fumbling within the fourth quarter as Cincinnati but once more crossed into Denver territory, his resiliency confirmed as his greatest moments would nonetheless be in entrance of him.
So, when the evening went haywire from game-management debacles to fourth-down heaves to doinked game-winning makes an attempt, Burrow and the Bengals had been finished screwing round when the protection gifted them one remaining likelihood at salvation from an 0-7 report in opposition to groups with successful data.
Get the ball to Higgins.
Burrow was beating the Broncos on slants all evening. The transfer to maintain them off-balance was excessive. Solely, to make that throw, in that state of affairs, you could have a ball-winner able to snagging a 31-yarder over the shoulder and toe-tapping to seal the sport. A recreation he would end off one play later.
“I used to be ready for the precise second to take our shot there,” Burrow stated. “What an awesome catch by Tee. Tee got here up massive. He was unbelievable immediately.”
The homeowners’ suite didn’t want a reminder of why you’ll simply pay the value and hold Higgins, however on Saturday evening it positive received slapped within the face with one. Proper together with the quickly rising price of doing so.
Chase stood 10 ft away from Higgins as he spoke right into a bevy of microphones after the sport and interjected a easy message: “Pay that man!”
Perhaps they may, possibly they received’t. The difficult nature of the choice didn’t make the truth of the second any simpler to digest.
“I grew so many relationships throughout the constructing, outdoors the constructing, within the metropolis,” Higgins stated, when requested about considering the idea that cash may take him elsewhere. “It’ll undoubtedly harm. However there’s enterprise, and if that’s the place life takes me, God received me and I’ll simply observe his lead.”
He admitted the feelings of the evening returned because the celebration went on. Gamers so usually say there’s no time for reflection through the season. However there was no avoiding it Saturday evening.
“On the finish of the sport once I scored the sport winner,” he stated, smiling and looking out off into the space, “I used to be like, ‘Man, shout out to Cincy.’”
A surreal, emotional conclusion, with out query, to a recreation that was about a lot extra. An evening that may be Higgins’ remaining, brightest second in Cincinnati.
“Whether it is,” he stated, “exit with a bang, you understand what I imply?”
Everybody very clearly is aware of what he means.
(Photograph: Andy Lyons / Getty Pictures)