Things went from bad to worse quickly Sept. 29 as the Cincinnati Bengals were blown out by the Denver Broncos.
DENVER − One could point to five turnovers (and the 31 points that came off of them) for the Cincinnati Bengals’ worst loss in franchise history in Week 3.
On "Monday Night Football" Sept. 29, there was no singular box score figure that led to another lopsided loss other than a team that is severely lacking on both sides of the ball as the Denver Broncos rolled to a 28-3 victory at Empower Field at Mile High.
In a year where the AFC North is wide open, the Bengals finished September 2-2 for the first time since 2022 but have no semblance of an identity since the loss of quarterback Joe Burrow to Grade 3 turf toe inury.
Getting off the mat from the Minneapolis Massacre looked possible for the visiting Bengals in the first 10 minutes Monday night, but it quickly went off the rails and Cincinnati has now lost back-to-back games by double digits for the first time since 2020.
You knew it was over when…
The Bengals defense was running on fumes following back-to-back Denver touchdown drives in the second quarter, but got a redzone stand when Demetrius Knight Jr. intercepted Bo Nix in the endzone on fourth down.
The Bengals’ offense, which managed just 94 first-half yards, went three-and-out and the Broncos marched 80 yards in just 61 seconds. Nix ripped a 20-yard touchdown to Courtland Sutton to give Denver a 21-3 lead at the break.
Who was the Most Valuable Player in Bengals vs. Broncos on Monday Night Football?
It goes to Nix, who finished with a 97.9 passer rating, but kudos must be given up front. The Broncos’ offensive line, which ranks No. 1 in the NFL in pass-blocking win rate, kept the second-year quarterback clean all night.
Nix put the Broncos ahead for good with a six-yard rushing touchdown late in the first quarter. Nix went 29-of-42 for 326 yards and three total touchdowns. He hit a wide-open R.J. Harvey for a 12-yard touchdown for the only points in the second half.
You could easily give the nod to Denver defensive coordinator Vance Joseph. His unit allowed 849 combined yards over the Broncos' two-game losing streak but held the punchless Bengals' offense to less than 200 total yards and forced eight consecutive punts after the opening-drive field goal.
If you had to crown an MVP for the Bengals, it goes to Knight. The second-round pick returned from a second-quarter leg injury and recorded his first career interception to thwart a Denver drive. The rookie tied a team-high with 10 tackles.
What was the most crucial play in Denver Broncos' win over Cincinnati Bengals?
The biggest momentum swing Monday night could've been a penalty, which was an early storyline as the Bengals were flagged 11 times in the first half (eight were accepted).
The Bengals led, 3-0, with 4:30 remaining in the first quarter and were going for it on 4th-and-2 from its own 45-yard line. The Broncos appeared to jump offsides, which would've given Cincinnati a first down at midfield, but Ted Karras was called for a false start.
Things went downhill on the next snap as Ryan Rehkow's punt traveled just 24 yards.
Denver would score touchdowns on three of its final four drives of the first half to take a three-score advantage into the locker room.
Stat of the night?
Any stat you throw out is going to be ugly.
The most eye-opening number represents just how mismatched the Bengals have been early in games. Over the last two weeks, the Bengals have been outscored, 55-6, in the first half.
Against Denver, the Bengals were outgained in the first half, 305-94. In total, the Bengals had more penalties (11) than first downs (9).
This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: NFL Week 4 superlatives: Cincinnati Bengals lost to Denver Broncos
Category: Football
