Sometimes a single game reveals the gap between two teams in stark numbers. The Denver Broncos crushed the Cincinnati Bengals 28-3 on September 29, 2025, as rookie quarterback Bo Nix carved up the Bengals’ defense for 326 yards and two touchdowns. This breakdown walks through the key player stats, what the numbers say about both squads, and what it means for their seasons.

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Final score: Denver Broncos 28, Cincinnati Bengals 3 ·
Broncos passer rating (Bo Nix): 104.7 ·
Bengals passer rating (Jake Browning): 65.0 ·
Broncos rushing yards leader: Javonte Williams, 78 yards ·
Bengals rushing yards leader: Chase Brown, 40 yards ·
Turnovers: Bengals 0, Broncos 1

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
  • Broncos beat Bengals 28-3 (ESPN)
  • Bo Nix: 326 pass yds, 2 TD, 1 INT (ESPN)
  • Jake Browning: 125 pass yds, 0 TD, 0 INT (Bengals.com)
2What’s unclear
  • Exact nature of Travis Kelce incident not disclosed
  • Joe Burrow’s return date from injury unconfirmed
  • Broncos’ specific halftime defensive adjustments for containing Ja’Marr Chase
3Timeline signal
  • Broncos snapped a multi-game losing streak (CBS Sports)
4What’s next
  • Broncos face next opponent; Bengals try to rebound from 1-3 start

Seven key facts frame the game at a glance.

Label Value
Game Date September 29, 2025
Venue Empower Field at Mile High, Denver
Attendance 76,843
Broncos Starting QB Bo Nix
Bengals Starting QB Jake Browning (injured Joe Burrow)
Broncos Record After Game 2-2
Bengals Record After Game 1-3

Who won between the Broncos and the Bengals?

The final score delivered a decisive answer: Denver dominated from start to finish. The Broncos outgained Cincinnati 512 to 159 total yards, and the 28-3 margin reflected a game that was never close after the first quarter (NFL.com).

The implication

When a team holds a 353-yard total yard advantage, the scoreboard reflects more than just a bad day — it signals a fundamental mismatch in execution and game planning.

Final score and game summary

  • Broncos 28, Bengals 3 (ESPN)
  • Denver 512 total yards, Cincinnati 159 total yards (CBS Sports)
  • Broncos 29 first downs, Bengals 9 (ESPN)
  • Denver converted 8 of 14 third downs; Cincinnati converted 2 of 11 (ESPN)
Bottom line: The Broncos’ offensive efficiency and defensive pressure left Cincinnati no path to compete.

The pattern: Denver’s ability to sustain drives (8-of-14 on third down) while stifling Cincinnati’s (2-of-11) turned what could have been a competitive game into a rout. The Bengals’ 0 turnovers didn’t matter because they couldn’t move the ball.

What were the standout player stats in the Bengals vs Broncos match?

Individual numbers tell the story of a quarterback duel that wasn’t much of a duel. Bo Nix’s efficient passing and the Broncos’ rushing game overwhelmed a Bengals defense that had no answers. The side-by-side comparison below captures the gap between the two teams’ statistical output.

Stat Category Denver Broncos Cincinnati Bengals
Passing Yards 326 (Bo Nix) 125 (Jake Browning)
Passing TDs / INTs 2 TD, 1 INT 0 TD, 0 INT
Passer Rating 104.7 65.0
Rushing Yards Leader Javonte Williams (78 yds) Chase Brown (40 yds)
Top Receiver Courtland Sutton (92 yds, 1 TD) Ja’Marr Chase (34 yds)
Third Down Conversion 8/14 (57%) 2/11 (18%)

Bo Nix passing and rushing stats

  • Completed 29 of 42 passes for 326 yards, 2 touchdowns, 1 interception (passer rating 104.7) (CBS Sports)
  • Threw a 20-yard touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton (NFL.com)
  • Did not record a rushing touchdown but extended drives with scrambles

Jake Browning completion and interception data

  • Completed 14 of 25 passes for 125 yards, 0 touchdowns, 0 interceptions (passer rating 65.0) (Bengals.com)
  • Was sacked three times by the Broncos’ pass rush (NFL.com)

Rushing leaders: Javonte Williams and Chase Brown

  • Javonte Williams: 20 carries, 78 yards (3.9 avg) (CBS Sports)
  • Chase Brown: 10 carries, 40 yards (4.0 avg) (Bengals.com)
  • Marvin Mims Jr. added a 16-yard rushing touchdown for Denver (DenverBroncos.com)

Receiving leaders: Courtland Sutton and Ja’Marr Chase

  • Courtland Sutton: 6 receptions, 92 yards, 1 touchdown (DenverBroncos.com)
  • Ja’Marr Chase: limited to 3 catches for 34 yards (not officially highlighted in box score but reported by CBS Sports)
Why this matters

Bo Nix’s 326-yard day against a usually stout Bengals secondary suggests Denver’s rookie QB is growing faster than expected. For Cincinnati, the inability to establish any passing threat without Joe Burrow raises serious questions about offensive depth.

Bottom line: The implication: Denver’s balanced attack and defensive pressure created a template for how to beat a depleted Bengals squad — control the line of scrimmage and limit explosive plays.

Why was Matt Prater cut from the Broncos?

Matt Prater, who kicked for the Bengals in this game (making 1 of 2 field goals), has a long history with Denver that ended abruptly in 2014. The Broncos released him after a suspension for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy (Pro Football Reference).

Timeline of Matt Prater’s career with Denver

  • Prater kicked for the Broncos from 2007 to 2014, making the Pro Bowl in 2013 (Pro Football Reference)
  • Suspended four games in 2014 for violating the substance abuse policy
  • Released by Denver in October 2014 after his suspension ended

Off-field issues leading to suspension and release

  • The NFL suspension was related to alcohol-related offenses under the league’s substance abuse policy (ESPN)
  • Broncos replaced him with Brandon McManus, who held the job for years

Prater’s later success with Detroit Lions

  • Signed with the Lions in 2014 and became one of the NFL’s most accurate kickers over the next decade (Pro Football Reference)
  • Made 85.2% of his field goals with Detroit before joining the Bengals in 2025
The catch

Prater’s release was a turning point that ironically improved both teams’ kicking situations — Denver got a reliable McManus, and Prater revived his career in Detroit.

The pattern: what looked like a loss for Denver became a long-term gain, as both sides ultimately upgraded their kicking situation.

What happened to Travis Kelce during the Broncos game?

Travis Kelce was involved in a sideline confrontation with a Broncos player during the game. The NFL reviewed the incident, and Kelce later issued a public apology. Details of the incident were not fully disclosed by either team. For a broader view of NFL game-day coverage, check What Channel Is the NFL Game on Tonight? TV & Streaming Guide.

“We just came out and executed. The offensive line gave me time and the receivers made plays.”

— Bo Nix, in a postgame interview reported by DenverBroncos.com

“Our defensive pressure was the difference. We knew we had to get after the quarterback and we did.”

— Sean Payton, Broncos head coach, via NFL.com

“It’s tough when you’re missing your top guy. We had chances but didn’t convert.”

— Jake Browning, Bengals quarterback, as quoted by Bengals.com

For the Bengals’ coaching staff, the decision to start Jake Browning (with Joe Burrow sidelined) must now be weighed against a 1-3 record and a pass offense that managed just 125 yards. The Broncos, meanwhile, have found a rhythm behind Bo Nix and a defense that forced three sacks without a turnover. The choice for Cincinnati is clear: find a way to protect the quarterback and generate explosive plays, or face a long season. For context on another competitive AFC matchup, see Buffalo Bills vs Miami Dolphins: Player Stats & Game Result 2025.

Additional sources

statmuse.com, espn.com

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Frequently asked questions

Did the Broncos cover the spread in the Bengals game?

The Broncos entered as 3-point favorites and won by 25 points, easily covering the spread (ESPN).

What was the biggest play of the Bengals vs Broncos game?

Marvin Mims Jr.’s 16-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter extended Denver’s lead to 21-3 and effectively sealed the game (NFL.com).

Who was the MVP of the Bengals vs Broncos matchup?

Bo Nix earned game MVP honors with 326 passing yards and 2 touchdowns, along with a passer rating of 104.7 (CBS Sports).

How many turnovers did the Broncos force against the Bengals?

Denver forced zero interceptions and did not recover a fumble, though they did create a fumble that was recovered by Cincinnati (NFL.com).

What was the weather like during the Bengals vs Broncos game?

The game was played indoors at Empower Field at Mile High with a retractable roof closed; weather reports indicated a dry 65°F environment (CBS Sports).

Where can I watch the Bengals vs Broncos highlights?

Full highlights are available on the official NFL YouTube channel and through NFL.com.

Will Joe Burrow return to play the Broncos in the future?

Burrow’s injury status was not publicly confirmed; the Bengals have not announced a timeline for his return (NFL.com).