The way they designed it. Half an hour before.

NFL insider Ian Rapoport reports that the Cincinnati Bengals won Saturday night’s game against the Denver Broncos in walk-off style on a play they devised in the third quarter.

“As far as I know, that wasn’t actually in the Bengals’ playbook – they didn’t have it, they were running out of plays in the low red zone,” Rapoport said on NFL Network. “In the third quarter, right after the field goal, Dan Pitcher, the (offensive coordinator), Joe Burrow and the receivers came together and designed that play (and it ended up being the game-winning touchdown.”

On the play, which occurred with just about a minute left in overtime, Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase lined up in the slot and ran a slant route while teammate Tee Higgins, who was on the outside, quickly forward ran left corner of the end zone.

Denver blitzed on the play, leaving both Chase and Higgins one-on-one; Burrow, who had already scored two touchdowns with Higgins that day, looked in the fifth-year wideout’s direction again.

The Pro Bowl quarterback delivered with perfect timing and through a razor-thin window of opportunity. Higgins secured the pigskin, tapped two toes down into the end zone and the Bengals picked up their eighth win of the season.

With the win, playoff hopes remain. No matter how slim they may be.

Burrow finished the contest with four total touchdowns and 412 passing yards. Higgins had 11 receptions for 131 yards and three touchdowns.

It was a monster performance, made all the more impressive considering the 25-year-old had been battling ankle and knee injuries in the days leading up to the game.

Higgins, for his part, would never stay on the sidelines.

Earlier in the week, he texted Bengals head coach Zac Taylor: “I’m playing,” ESPN reports.

“Everyone can see what kind of player he is,” Burrow said of the star wideout. “He takes us to another level when he plays like that.”

With a win, Denver could have secured its first playoff berth since 2015/16 – a season that culminated with Peyton Manning and Co.’s victory over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl 50.

Meanwhile, the Broncos still have their fate in their own hands. With a win over a Chiefs team that could rest Patrick Mahomes in Week 18, they’re in.

With a defeat, the door opens a little for Burrow, Higgins and Co.