Broncos Dominate Bengals in 28-3 Monday Night Victory
The Denver Broncos convincingly handled the Cincinnati Bengals with a commanding 28-3 victory at home on Monday night, bringing both teams to 2-2 records for the season. However, the similarities in their records mask stark differences in team momentum. The Bengals’ offense continued to struggle mightily with backup quarterback Jake Browning filling in for the injured Joe Burrow. Browning’s uninspiring performance – completing just 14 of 25 passes for a meager 125 yards – followed another anemic offensive showing the previous week against Minnesota where they managed only 10 points. This pattern of offensive struggles is becoming increasingly concerning for Cincinnati, particularly as star receiver Ja’Marr Chase was visibly frustrated during the game, at one point approaching head coach Zac Taylor to express his displeasure with the team’s inability to move the ball.
The Broncos’ defense deserves substantial credit for this victory, as they systematically dismantled Cincinnati’s offensive efforts throughout the game. Denver’s defense recorded three sacks and impressively stopped the Bengals on nine consecutive third-down attempts to close out the contest. Cincinnati converted just 2 of 11 third-down opportunities all night, with both successful conversions remarkably coming only on their opening drive. The Denver defense particularly excelled at containing the Bengals’ star receivers, limiting Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins to a combined eight receptions for just 55 yards – a testament to their excellent coverage schemes and execution. The defensive performance helped establish a comfortable lead that the Bengals never threatened to overcome.
On the offensive side, rookie quarterback Bo Nix showed impressive development, looking poised and confident while directing the Denver attack. Nix completed 29 of 42 pass attempts for 326 yards with two touchdown passes and one interception – a well-rounded performance that displayed his growing command of the offense. The Broncos fell behind early when Cincinnati managed a field goal on their opening drive, but Nix quickly responded by scoring the game’s first touchdown himself, using his mobility to find the end zone on a six-yard scramble on third-and-5 late in the first quarter. This score seemed to energize both Nix and the entire Broncos offense, setting the tone for what would become a dominant performance in front of their home crowd.
Denver’s offensive momentum continued to build throughout the first half, with Marvin Mims showcasing his explosive speed on a 16-yard jet sweep for the team’s second touchdown. Wide receiver Courtland Sutton made several critical contributions, including a crucial 22-yard reception on third-and-4 that extended the drive leading to Mims’ touchdown. Sutton later capped off an impressive first half by hauling in a perfectly placed 20-yard touchdown pass from Nix with just eight seconds remaining before halftime, giving Denver a commanding 21-3 lead. The score could have been even more lopsided if not for Nix throwing an interception on fourth-and-1 from Cincinnati’s two-yard line with two minutes left in the second quarter – a rare mistake in an otherwise excellent performance. Ultimately, this turnover proved inconsequential as the Bengals’ offense remained stagnant.
The Broncos continued their dominant performance in the second half, with rookie running back R.J. Harvey scoring on a well-executed 12-yard reception to extend the lead to 28-3, effectively putting the game out of reach. While Harvey found the end zone, it was veteran running back J.K. Dobbins who made history by becoming the first Broncos player to rush for over 100 yards in 38 games – a drought stretching back to January 2023 when Latavius Murray last accomplished the feat. Dobbins finished with an impressive 101 yards on 16 carries, providing the balanced offensive attack that has been missing from Denver’s arsenal in recent seasons. The receiving corps was equally productive, with Courtland Sutton leading the way with five catches for 81 yards, while Marvin Mims contributed six receptions for 69 yards, demonstrating the multiple offensive weapons now at Nix’s disposal.
For the Cincinnati Bengals, this defeat raises serious questions about their ability to compete effectively without Joe Burrow at quarterback. The offense looked completely overmatched, with the telling statistic that they committed more penalties than achieved first downs perfectly encapsulating their struggles. Head coach Zac Taylor faces mounting pressure to address these offensive woes quickly, especially with a challenging matchup against the high-flying Detroit Lions looming next week. Meanwhile, the Broncos can take tremendous confidence from this complete team performance, which showcased significant improvement in all three phases of the game. For a franchise that has experienced several disappointing seasons in recent years, this dominant victory over a typically competitive Bengals team suggests that Denver may be turning a corner under their developing rookie quarterback and reinvigorated defense.
