The Denver Broncos hosted the Cincinnati Bengals in an intriguing Week 4 matchup that saw the Broncos overpower the Bengals with a dominant 28-3 victory. Despite both teams entering the game with a .500 record (2-2), the Broncos showed their superiority on both sides of the ball, especially with their offensive production. The Bengals, struggling in this away game, couldn’t match up to Denver’s impressive performance, and the game unfolded with clear disparities in several key stats. Here’s a breakdown of the game and an in-depth look at the individual and team statistics from the matchup.
Game Recap
The Cincinnati Bengals, traveling to Denver with a 1-2 away record, were hoping to turn their season around with a strong performance. Unfortunately for them, the Broncos took control early and maintained dominance throughout the game. The Bengals’ offense struggled to move the ball, only managing to put up 159 total yards. Meanwhile, the Broncos, benefiting from strong play on both offense and defense, racked up 512 yards and looked much more composed in all facets of the game.
Team Statistics Overview
1. First Downs
- Cincinnati Bengals: 9
- Denver Broncos: 29
The Broncos completely dominated the first downs category, with a significant advantage of 29 to 9. Denver not only moved the chains consistently but also kept the Bengals’ defense on the field for long stretches, allowing them to control the tempo of the game.
2. Passing First Downs
- Cincinnati Bengals: 3
- Denver Broncos: 17
The Broncos’ passing game, led by quarterback Russell Wilson, was far more effective than the Bengals’ aerial attack. Denver’s ability to convert passing opportunities into first downs (17 compared to just 3 for Cincinnati) played a key role in their success.
3. Rushing First Downs
- Cincinnati Bengals: 3
- Denver Broncos: 11
The Broncos’ running game, led by Javonte Williams, had significant success in gaining first downs. The Bengals, meanwhile, couldn’t establish any rhythm in their rushing game, with only 3 rushing first downs in total.
4. 3rd Down Efficiency
- Cincinnati Bengals: 2-11
- Denver Broncos: 8-14
One of the major factors in the Broncos’ commanding win was their ability to convert on third down. Denver converted 8 of their 14 third-down attempts (57%), while the Bengals struggled at just 2 out of 11 (18%). This difference in efficiency was a clear indication of how well the Broncos’ offense executed while the Bengals were consistently off-schedule.
5. Total Yards
- Cincinnati Bengals: 159
- Denver Broncos: 512
The Broncos nearly tripled the Bengals’ yardage output. Denver’s offense was balanced, with contributions from both the passing and running game. The Bengals, on the other hand, couldn’t find any success either on the ground or in the air, which severely limited their offensive output.
Offensive and Defensive Standouts
Quarterbacks
- Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Burrow:
Joe Burrow, coming into the game with high expectations, had a tough outing. He completed 14 of 25 passes for just 106 yards. With a completion percentage of 56%, Burrow’s effectiveness was far below his usual standards. He struggled to find open receivers and couldn’t generate big plays, as reflected in his average of just 3.8 yards per pass attempt. Burrow also didn’t throw an interception, but the Bengals’ offense was completely out of sync. - Denver Broncos – Russell Wilson:
Russell Wilson had a much better performance, completing 29 of 42 passes for 326 yards, with 1 touchdown and 1 interception. Wilson was efficient in moving the ball down the field, averaging 7.8 yards per pass attempt. His ability to spread the ball around kept the Bengals’ defense guessing, and his performance was one of the key reasons for Denver’s commanding win. His lone interception came in the second half but didn’t affect the overall outcome.
Running Backs
- Cincinnati Bengals – Joe Mixon:
Joe Mixon’s performance was underwhelming, with just 53 rushing yards on 15 carries, averaging 3.5 yards per carry. The Broncos’ defensive front controlled the line of scrimmage, preventing Mixon from finding any consistent running lanes. - Denver Broncos – Javonte Williams:
Javonte Williams carried the ball 16 times for 89 yards, averaging 5.6 yards per rush. While Williams didn’t find the end zone, his strong performance helped the Broncos dominate time of possession and provided a balanced offensive attack alongside Wilson’s passing.
Receivers
- Cincinnati Bengals – Tee Higgins:
Tee Higgins led the Bengals in receiving, but his numbers were far from impressive. He caught 5 passes for 39 yards, an average of just 7.8 yards per reception. His longest catch was only 10 yards, and he wasn’t able to make any big plays down the field. - Denver Broncos – Courtland Sutton:
Courtland Sutton was the standout receiver for Denver. He caught 6 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown, averaging 13.5 yards per reception. Sutton’s ability to create separation and make plays in key situations was crucial in keeping the chains moving for the Broncos.
Defensive Highlights
- Cincinnati Bengals – Trey Hendrickson:
Trey Hendrickson, the Bengals’ star pass rusher, had some success getting pressure on Wilson but wasn’t able to sack him. Hendrickson finished the game with 2 quarterback hits but couldn’t take Wilson down, a key factor in the Bengals’ inability to disrupt Denver’s offense. - Denver Broncos – Justin Simmons:
The Broncos’ defense played a crucial role in securing their victory. Safety Justin Simmons was a standout, playing a critical role in keeping Burrow and the Bengals’ offense off-balance. Simmons helped force several incompletions and was part of a defensive unit that didn’t allow a touchdown. The Broncos also sacked Burrow 3 times, further demonstrating their defensive dominance.
Special Teams and Other Key Stats
Penalties
- Cincinnati Bengals: 11 penalties for 65 yards
- Denver Broncos: 7 penalties for 72 yards
While the Bengals had more penalties, it was the Broncos who were affected more in terms of yardage. Still, Denver was able to overcome these penalties due to their offensive dominance.
Turnovers
- Cincinnati Bengals: 0 turnovers
- Denver Broncos: 1 turnover
Both teams were relatively clean in terms of turnovers, with the Bengals not giving up the ball. However, Denver’s sole turnover came in the form of an interception thrown by Wilson, but it didn’t have any significant impact on the game as the Broncos maintained control throughout.
Time of Possession
- Cincinnati Bengals: 22:02
- Denver Broncos: 37:58
The Broncos controlled the clock with nearly 38 minutes of possession, a testament to their ability to move the chains and sustain long drives. The Bengals’ offense, on the other hand, couldn’t get anything going, leading to a lopsided time-of-possession battle.
Conclusion
The Denver Broncos’ 28-3 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals was a clear reflection of their offensive efficiency and defensive control. The Broncos dominated in key areas such as first downs, 3rd down conversion rates, and total yards. Russell Wilson had a strong performance, and Javonte Williams provided balance in the running game. On the other hand, Joe Burrow and the Bengals’ offense struggled, producing just 159 total yards and failing to convert on third downs.
The statistics tell a story of two teams going in different directions. The Broncos displayed the kind of well-rounded game that can propel them into contention, while the Bengals will need to address their offensive woes if they hope to remain competitive in the AFC.
