If you were expecting a high-flying aerial duel when the Cincinnati Bengals rolled into Denver this past September, you probably walked away feeling a bit cheated. Or, if you're a Broncos fan, maybe you're still riding that Mile High cloud. Honestly, the Bengals vs Broncos game on Monday Night Football was a total defensive masterclass that left Cincinnati fans wondering where their offense went.
Denver basically put a lid on the Bengals' playmakers. It wasn't just a win; it was a 28-3 statement.
The Night the Bengals Offense Went Cold
It started out promisingly enough. Jake Browning—who's been holding down the fort while Joe Burrow recovers from toe surgery—actually looked sharp on the opening drive. He marched the team 62 yards over 12 plays. You've got to give credit where it's due: Browning found Tee Higgins for a 19-yard gain on a crucial third down that kept the chains moving.
But then they stalled.
Evan McPherson kicked a 26-yard field goal, and that was it. Literally. That was the only scoring Cincinnati would do for the rest of the night. It's kinda wild to think that a team with Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins could be held to three points, but the Broncos' secondary, led by 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II, was absolutely suffocating.
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Bo Nix and the Broncos' Triple Threat
While the Bengals were sputtering, Bo Nix was having a career night. He’s a different beast at home. Entering the game, he had a 6-0 record in his last six starts at Empower Field, and he clearly wasn't planning on letting that streak end.
Nix didn't just throw the ball; he used his legs. He scrambled for a six-yard touchdown in the first quarter to take the lead. Then Marvin Mims Jr. decided to join the party with a 16-yard end-around touchdown. By the time Nix zipped a 20-yard beauty to Courtland Sutton with only eight seconds left in the first half, the score was 21-3.
The game felt over before the halftime show even started.
Stats That Tell the Story
Sometimes the box score doesn't capture the vibe, but this time, the numbers are pretty damning for Cincinnati.
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- Total Yardage: Denver racked up 512 total yards. Cincinnati? A measly 159.
- First Downs: The Broncos moved the chains 29 times. The Bengals managed just nine first downs all game.
- The Rushing Attack: J.K. Dobbins was a monster, rushing for 101 yards on 16 carries. It was Denver's first 100-yard rushing game in ages—38 games to be exact.
The Bengals basically lived in their own half. After that first field goal, they never crossed midfield again. Not once. That's a level of defensive dominance you just don't see often in the modern NFL.
What Most People Get Wrong About This Matchup
There’s a common narrative that the Bengals always have Denver's number. Before this blowout, Cincinnati had actually won the last two meetings. Remember that Week 17 overtime thriller in 2024? Joe Burrow threw a walk-off touchdown to Tee Higgins to keep their playoff hopes alive. People expected a repeat of that magic.
But this wasn't 2024.
The absence of Burrow is the obvious factor, but the real story was the discipline—or lack thereof. Zac Taylor was visibly frustrated after the game, and for good reason. The Bengals were flagged 11 times for 65 yards. You can’t win at Mile High when you’re constantly backing yourself up with false starts and holding calls.
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Key Takeaways and Next Steps
The Bengals vs Broncos game proved that Denver’s defense is officially elite. Sean Payton has rebuilt this team into a physical, disciplined unit that doesn't care about your star wide receivers. If you're looking to understand why the Broncos are suddenly a threat in the AFC, look at the way they neutralized Ja'Marr Chase (5 catches for 23 yards) and Tee Higgins (3 catches for 32 yards).
If you're a Bengals fan, the focus now has to be on the offensive line and finding a way to generate explosive plays without Burrow's arm.
Actionable Insights for the Rest of the Season:
- Watch the Broncos' Home Games: Denver is currently on a seven-game home winning streak. Betting against them at Mile High is a losing man's game right now.
- Monitor the Bengals' Injury Report: The offense is stagnant. Keep a close eye on the timeline for Joe Burrow's return, as the "Browning Experiment" seems to have hit a ceiling against top-tier defenses.
- Fantasy Football Alert: J.K. Dobbins and RJ Harvey are a lethal 1-2 punch. If Dobbins is on your waiver wire (unlikely, but check), grab him. If not, Harvey is becoming a massive red-zone threat.
- Discipline Check: Watch Cincinnati’s penalty count in their next few games. If they don't clean up the pre-snap flags, their playoff aspirations will evaporate before November.
The Broncos move to 2-2, feeling like a team on the rise. The Bengals, also 2-2, are heading home to face the Lions with a lot of soul-searching to do.