CINCINNATI — Riley Moss didn’t hide from his mistakes Saturday afternoon at Paycor Stadium. He owned up to them. In Denver’s 30-24 overtime loss to the Bengals — Moss’ first game since Week 12 — he was at a complete disadvantage against Tee Higgins. The veteran wide receiver had seven catches for 101 yards and two touchdowns, including the game-winning reception against Moss, according to NFL’s Next Gen Stats. “Sometimes you eat a (explicit) sandwich and you have to own it,” the second-year defensive back said. Throughout the game, quarterback Joe Burrow rarely let Moss rest, especially on the Bengals’ final scoring drive of the game. Facing second-and-10 from Denver’s 34-yard line, Burrow found Higgins for a 31-yard pass along the sideline. On the following play, the two hooked up for a 3-yard touchdown near the corner of the end zone to secure Cincinnati’s eighth win of the season and keep their team’s playoff hopes alive. Both times, Moss was the man in coverage — the end of a long day that saw him targeted 14 times by the Bengals. Of those 14 targets, Moss allowed 11 catches for 125 yards and a passer rating of 143.5 — the second-highest in a game this season for the 2023 third-round pick. Each week, he has been tested by opposing quarterbacks looking to avoid throwing in All-Pro cornerback Pat Surtain II’s direction. That was again the case in Moss’ return to action, with Burrow throwing in Surtain’s direction only eight times for five receptions and 45 yards. On Saturday, Moss simply couldn’t keep up with Cincinnati’s high-powered passing game. Moss had been sidelined for three straight games due to an MCL injury suffered in Week 12’s win over the Raiders. But the Iowa product refused to allow that to be an excuse for his play on Saturday. “I felt some breaks were a little slow and stuff like that takes time,” Moss said. “But they trusted me to make plays and I didn’t make them.” Related Articles Denver Broncos | Broncos grades: In a game full of big swings and big plays, hidden yardage and decision making loom large Denver Broncos | PHOTOS: Denver Broncos lose to Cincinnati Bengals 30-24 in OT, NFL Week 17 Denver Broncos | Renck: And then there was one. Broncos must beat Chiefs to reach playoffs. Denver Broncos | Broncos’ playoff hopes on hold after Sean Payton played for overtime and Denver faltered late in 30-24 loss to Bengals Denver Broncos | Broncos rookie watch: Bo Nix’s resilience, and some baffling choices, on display in Cincinnati Despite his performance, Moss remained confident in his ability to bounce back. “This isn’t the first time this happened in my career, and it probably won’t be the last,” Moss said. “The great ones are able to come back and be gritty and push through. That’s what I’m gonna do.” Watson inactive: Broncos running back Blake Watson was inactive on Saturday after playing in the team’s Week 16 loss to the Chargers. The rest of Denver’s inactive: Inside linebacker Levelle Bailey, practice squad defensive lineman Matt Henningsen, defensive lineman Eyioma Uwazurike, wide receiver David Sills and quarterback Zach Wilson (emergency third quarterback). Three players fined from Chargers loss: Outside linebacker Jonathon Cooper was fined $12,668 for his horse collar tackle on Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert last week. Defensive lineman Malcolm Roach was fined $11,255 for taunting. Watson was charged $4,463 for an illegal use of his helmet. Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.