Things started out with a little concern for the Denver Broncos as they gave up an opening score and then promptly went three-and-out on offense. Well, that was all the Cincinnati Bengals had for this game on both sides of the ball.
Denver would rack up 500 total yards on offense and limit the Bengals to under 200 total yards. Amazingly, the Broncos lost the turnover battle with Bo Nix throwing that one interception in the end zone in the second quarter, but the Bengals defense just couldn’t stop
Nix elsewhere. The Broncos defense did just that against Jake Browning.
At 2-2, the Broncos needed this win and now must travel east to take on the defending Super Bowl champion Philadelphia Eagles next week.
Broncos vs. Bengals final score
First Quarter
The Broncos defense struggled to start the game giving up a field goal. Teams have scored on all four opening drives against Denver this season. The offense started out slow too with a quick three-and-out. Things were looking dire, but a fortuitous false start call ended the Bengals promising second drive.
Bo Nix and the offense took advantage of that fortune with a late drive in the first quarter that he capped with his own legs on this six yard scamper for a touchdown.
Broncos 7, Bengals 3. Full first quarter recap.
Second Quarter
The Broncos defense got into a groove in the second quarter and completely dominated. Bo Nix and the Broncos offense capitalized early with a strong drive that was capped by a Marvin Mims Jr. end-around touchdown to put Denver up by two scores midway through the second quarter.
Denver put together a really long drive after getting the ball right back. However, with a chance to take a field goal, Sean Payton elected to go for it on fourth and one from the two yard line. The play was busted from the start and instead of throwing the ball away, Nix tried to squeeze one in and was intercepted.
That could have been a massive momentum swing, but Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper crushed the Bengals hopes and dreams with a third down sack on the ensuing possession. That three-and-out gave the Broncos 1:24 to work with before halftime. When the Broncos offense needed a play, Bo Nix delivered. He was dealing on that final drive hitting Marvin Mims Jr. for a big gain and then with just seconds left in the half fired this dart to Courtland Sutton to get the touchdown back that he was robbed off on the last.
With four consecutive drives that could have resulted in touchdowns for Denver, the Bengals should have been glad to be down only 21-3 at halftime.
Broncos 21, Bengals 3. Full second quarter recap.
Third Quarter
The Bengals defense began finding some stops to slow the onslaught from the Broncos offense in the first half. However, Jake Browning and the Bengals offense could find no room anywhere. The pass rush, spearheaded by Nik Bonitto, completely shut down their offense.
Instead, the teams traded punts throughout the quarter and the score didn’t change. The Broncos offense eclipsed the 400 yards of total offense mark in the game, though. They would be due to score again at the rate of yardage they were piling up each drive.
Broncos 21, Bengals 3. Full third quarter recap.
Fourth Quarter
In the fourth quarter, the Broncos ground game under JK Dobbins took over. He would top the 100 yard mark as the Broncos drove methodically down the field eating up much of the fourth quarter. The drive would be capped by a 12-yard RJ Harvey touchdown reception in the flat who was wide open.
Broncos 28, Bengals 3.
They would close the game out from there to move to 2-2 on the season.
