The Denver Broncos offense put up over 500 yards of offense, and the defense stifled the Joe Burrow-less Cincinnati Bengals 28-3 in Monday’s primetime slot to improve to 2-2 on the year.
Denver Broncos Sutton-Nix connection shines
When Bo Nix sets his feet, good things happen for the Broncos’ passing game. Nix was consistently accurate when he was able to set his feet and fire, and that was on display on Monday Night Football. His connection with Courtland Sutton thrived in the bright lights of primetime.
Nix fired an absolute laser to Sutton right before halftime for an incredible touchdown catch, which moved Sutton past Riley Odoms for the eighth-most receptions in team history (397), per Broncos PR.
Nix to Sutton for the TD right before half!
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Nix finished the night 29-of-42 passing for 326 yards, two passing touchdowns, one rushing touchdown, and one interception, while Sutton finished with five catches for 81 yards and a touchdown, leading the Broncos’ wide receiver room in yards.
Denver also spread the ball around, with six players each accounting for at least 20 yards receiving. Marvin Mims had six catches for 69 yards, with Troy Franklin having four catches for 50 yards, and RJ Harvey with four catches for 40 yards.
It was a balanced attack.
Broncos stick with the run game, Dobbins snaps 38-game streak
The Denver Broncos got their run game going midway through the second quarter with RJ Harvey and J.K. Dobbins springing off some solid runs, to the point that the Cincinnati Bengals’ defense was worn down.
Marvin Mims’ touchdown in the second quarter was a 16-yard run that was sprung free perfectly by a great block from rookie wideout Pat Bryant, who has had two key blocks in the last two weeks to open up a big play for the offense.
In the fourth quarter, Sean Payton and the Broncos offense leaned on Dobbins and Harvey, with Dobbins snapping a long-standing streak.
The Broncos hadn’t had a 100-yard rusher since Latavius Murray did in the 2022 season, in the final game of the year. 37 straight regular-season games without a 100-yard rusher, 38 if you count the playoffs.
Dobbins rattled off chunk play after chunk play to surpass 100 yards. Nix then connected with RJ Harvey for a touchdown to cap off an impressive 10-play 76-yard drive that took 6:11 off the clock, helping Denver dominate the time of possession
Broncos defense flusters Jake Browning, Bengals offense
The Denver Broncos defense made life difficult for Jake Browning and the Bengals’ offense, despite Cincinnati’s weapons. In an attempt to neutralize the Broncos’ pass rush, Browning tried to get the quick passing game going, but Denver tightened up in coverage.
Early on, Browning connected with Tee Higgins on an impressive back-shoulder throw with Riley Moss draped tightly in coverage. The Bengals tried to go to that connection a few more times in the first half, but to no avail.
Higgins had three catches for 32 yards on six targets, and Ja’Marr Chase had five catches for 23 yards on eight targets.
Denver’s defense took away a lot of the deep and quick passing options early on, and penalties pelted Cincinnati in the first half.
The Broncos finished with six quarterback hits. Nik Bonitto, Jonathon Cooper, and John Franklin-Myers each got home on Browning for sacks in Monday’s win.
Broncos news and notes vs. Bengals
- The Broncos offense had over 500 yards of offense and had 29 total first downs.
- Denver’s offense was 8-of-13 on third down on Monday Night.
- Denver’s defense held the Bengals to 2-of-11 on third down and 159 total yards of offense.
- Nik Bonitto moved to 4.5 sacks on the season after his 1.5 sack performance on Monday Night Football.
- Denver was penalized seven times for 72 yards.