Highlights Package Showcases December Magic of the Cincinnati Bengals

As the NFL regular season enters its final month, December often separates playoff contenders from also-rans—and for the Cincinnati Bengals, a newly released highlights package titled “December Magic” captures exactly why they’ve become a perennial threat in the AFC this time of year. The 15-minute reel, compiled by the team’s media department, features jaw-dropping plays, clutch comebacks, and standout performances from key players across their December matchups over the past three seasons. From Joe Burrow’s last-second touchdown passes to Trey Hendrickson’s game-changing sacks, the package isn’t just a collection of highlights—it’s a celebration of the Bengals’ ability to rise to the occasion when the stakes are highest. Highlights Package Showcases December Magic of the Cincinnati Bengals explores the most memorable moments from the reel, how they reflect the team’s identity, and why December has become a month of dominance for Cincinnati.

The opening segment of the highlights package focuses on the Bengals’ knack for fourth-quarter comebacks in December—a trait that has defined their “magic” and turned close games into victories. One of the reel’s first clips is from the 2022 Week 14 matchup against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: trailing 24-17 with 2:15 left, Burrow leads a 75-yard drive, culminating in a 10-yard touchdown pass to Ja’Marr Chase with 32 seconds remaining to tie the game. The Bengals go on to win in overtime, thanks to a Hendrickson sack that forces a Buccaneers turnover. Another standout comeback moment comes from the 2021 Week 15 game against the Denver Broncos: down 17-10 in the final minute, Burrow connects with Tee Higgins for a 25-yard touchdown, then finds Tyler Boyd for the two-point conversion to secure a 18-17 win. The package intersperses these plays with post-game interviews, including Burrow saying, “December is when the real teams show up. We don’t panic—we just execute.” Highlights Package Showcases December Magic of the Cincinnati Bengals notes that these comebacks aren’t just lucky; they’re the result of the Bengals’ poise under pressure, a skill that has become a hallmark of their December play.

A major focus of the highlights package is the standout performances of the Bengals’ offensive trio—Burrow, Chase, and Higgins—whose chemistry shines brightest in December. The reel features a montage of their best plays together, including a 45-yard touchdown pass from Burrow to Chase in the 2022 Week 16 game against the Baltimore Ravens (a play where Chase outruns two defenders to the end zone) and a 30-yard catch by Higgins in the 2023 Week 13 matchup against the Pittsburgh Steelers, where he hauls in a contested pass over two cornerbacks to set up the game-winning field goal. The package also highlights their consistency: over the past three Decembers, Burrow has thrown for 3,200 yards and 24 touchdowns, Chase has 1,100 receiving yards and 8 touchdowns, and Higgins has 950 receiving yards and 7 touchdowns. “Those three make magic every time they’re on the field together,” says Bengals head coach Zac Taylor in a clip from the package. “They know each other so well—they can anticipate plays before they even happen.” Highlights Package Showcases December Magic of the Cincinnati Bengals emphasizes that this trio’s December dominance has been a key factor in the Bengals’ playoff runs, as they’ve been able to outscore opponents when it matters most.

For the Cincinnati Bengals, the highlights package also shines a light on the team’s defensive “December spark”—a surge in pressure and turnovers that has shut down opposing offenses and swung momentum in the Bengals’ favor. One of the reel’s most intense segments is a compilation of Hendrickson’s December sacks, including a 2021 Week 16 takedown of Ravens quarterback Lamar Jackson that forces a fumble, which the Bengals recover and turn into a touchdown. Another defensive highlight comes from the 2023 Week 14 game against the Cleveland Browns: with the Browns driving for the game-winning score, safety Jessie Bates III intercepts a pass in the end zone, preserving a 27-24 Bengals win. The package also features clips of linebacker Logan Wilson’s December interceptions, including a 2022 Week 15 pick against the Broncos that sets up the Bengals’ game-winning drive. For the Cincinnati Bengals, these defensive plays are just as important as the offensive highlights—they’re the stops that give the offense a chance to win. “Our defense doesn’t get as much attention as the offense, but they’re the reason we win close games in December,” says defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo in the package. Highlights Package Showcases December Magic of the Cincinnati Bengals explores how the defense’s December performance has complemented the offense, creating a balanced team that’s hard to beat.

The Cincinnati Bengals’ special teams unit gets its own spotlight in the highlights package, with clips that showcase Evan McPherson’s “December accuracy” and the team’s ability to make game-changing plays on special teams. One of the reel’s most memorable special teams moments is from the 2022 Week 17 game against the Ravens: with the score tied 17-17 and 1 second left, McPherson drills a 53-yard field goal in snowy conditions to give the Bengals a 20-17 win and secure the AFC North title. Another special teams highlight comes from the 2021 Week 14 game against the San Francisco 49ers: punt returner Trenton Irwin returns a punt 45 yards to set up a Bengals touchdown, swinging momentum in Cincinnati’s favor. The package also includes clips of McPherson’s other December field goals, including a 51-yarder in the 2023 Week 13 game against the Steelers and a 48-yarder in the 2022 Week 15 game against the Broncos. For the Cincinnati Bengals, special teams have been a hidden weapon in December, providing key points and field position that have turned games around. “Special teams is the third phase of the game, and in December, it can be the difference between winning and losing,” says special teams coordinator Darrin Simmons in the package. Highlights Package Showcases December Magic of the Cincinnati Bengals notes that McPherson’s December success—he’s made 94% of his field goals in the month over the past three seasons—has been a critical part of the Bengals’ magic.

The final segment of the highlights package celebrates the Bengals’ fanbase and the electric atmosphere at Paycor Stadium in December, which has become a home-field advantage for the team. The reel features clips of packed stands, fans chanting “WHO DEY!” in the snow, and post-game celebrations where players high-five fans after wins. One emotional moment comes from the 2022 Week 17 game against the Ravens: after McPherson’s game-winning field goal, the camera pans to a young fan in a Burrow jersey crying tears of joy, a moment that captures the connection between the team and the city. The package also includes footage of the Bengals’ December 2021 game against the Kansas City Chiefs, where Paycor Stadium was so loud that Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes had to call multiple timeouts to adjust. “Our fans are the best in the NFL, and in December, they bring an extra level of energy,” says Burrow in the package. “They make it hard for opposing teams to communicate, and they give us a boost when we need it most.” Highlights Package Showcases December Magic of the Cincinnati Bengals concludes that while the players make the plays, the fans are an integral part of the Bengals’ December success—they’re the ones who turn Paycor Stadium into a fortress and inspire the team to keep fighting. As the Bengals head into another December playoff push, the highlights package serves as a reminder of their past magic—and a preview of what’s to come. For Cincinnati, December isn’t just a month—it’s a time when the Bengals become a team that no one wants to face, and the “December Magic” highlights package captures that legacy perfectly.