Broncos, protection bounce on Bengals early, snap 2-game skid

DENVER — Three hours earlier than Monday evening’s recreation, an ominous sky coated many of the downtown neighborhoods that encompass Empower Area at Mile Excessive.

However the quirky climate within the Rocky Mountain areas can change on a whim, very similar to the Denver Broncos thus far this season. That they had misplaced back-to-back video games — each approaching the final play — heading into their prime-time matchup in opposition to the Cincinnati Bengals.

The solar ultimately popped out earlier than kickoff and issues seemed a lot brighter for the house staff in a 28-3 rout. They did it with a protection that confirmed its elite potential as soon as once more — albeit in opposition to an offense with out injured quarterback Joe Burrow — and quarterback Bo Nix had his most full recreation of the season as he notched his first 300-yard passing recreation (326) of the 12 months.

There have been points, akin to penalties (7 for 72 yards) — the Broncos entered this weekend’s video games tied for the fourth-most penalty yardage and Monday will not assist the totals as heart Luke Wattenberg was flagged 4 occasions alone — and drops on offense, together with two by large receiver Troy Franklin.

However with the defending champion Philadelphia Eagles subsequent on the docket with a visit to London the next week, the Broncos wanted to regain their stability, particularly Nix.

And Monday’s get-right win did simply that.

Listed below are crucial issues to know from Monday evening for each groups:

What to make of the QB efficiency: Nix entered the weekend twenty sixth within the league in QBR after a Week 3 efficiency in opposition to the Chargers when he missed a number of big-play probabilities with overthrows to open receivers. The Broncos had a extra reigned-in method Monday, and Nix was much more settled. With a bit extra intention within the run recreation and the continued safety blanket of Courtland Sutton — 81 yards receiving — Nix had a composed evening total. Save for an finish zone interception late within the first half, he confirmed extra settled footwork within the pocket and simply had his greatest passing recreation of the season. His 206 passing yards in Indianapolis in Week 2 had been his season excessive.

Most stunning efficiency: Tight finish Evan Engram has handled calf and again accidents already his season — he missed the Week 3 loss in Los Angeles — so he has not had a full docket of observe time within the staff’s offense. However the staff’s greatest acquisition in free company on offense this previous offseason remains to be in the hunt for his bust-out recreation. By the top of the third quarter, Engram had three receptions for 18 yards and a drop on his six targets. The beleaguered Bengals’ protection struggled to get the Broncos off the sphere, however the Broncos are going to wish to search out methods to get Engram concerned — which means there will probably be video games the place they want greater than 4 catches for 29 yards from him. Coach Sean Payton has mentioned it is a crucial match-up to have the ability to win in the course of the sphere in opposition to nickel defenses.

Stat to know: J.Okay. Dobbins’ 101-yard speeding effort ended a regular-season streak of 37 video games for the Broncos with out a 100-yard rusher. Latavius Murray had the final 100-yard speeding recreation for the Broncos within the 2022 season finale — 103 yards on Jan. 8, 2023, in opposition to the Chargers.

Troubling pattern: It will likely be misplaced within the mist of what turned a fairly tidy get-well win, however when the Bengals completed off their opening drive with a 26-yard discipline from Evan McPherson, it meant all 4 of the Broncos’ opponents had opening-drive discipline targets. The Broncos, New Orleans Saints and Tampa Bay Buccaneers are the one groups within the league that haven’t scored first in a recreation this season. — Jeff Legwold

Subsequent recreation: at Philadelphia Eagles (1 p.m. ET, Sunday)

By beginning the season 2-0, the Bengals have been off to their greatest begin throughout coach Zac Taylor’s tenure. However that seems like a distant reminiscence, although it was simply two weeks in the past.

Every week in the past, Cincinnati was handed its worst loss in franchise historical past, a 38-point loss on the highway to the Vikings. Monday’s loss to the Broncos did not characteristic the turnovers that plagued Cincinnati every week in the past, however the longer the sport went on, the extra it nonetheless carried the identical vibe. Each video games did have one factor in widespread: The offense mustered simply three factors by way of the primary three quarters.

However this defeat might be extra regarding. As a result of this was as complete a defeat because the Bengals have been handed in fairly a while. Cincinnati’s offense by no means received rolling. The protection was gashed all through the evening. And the Bengals have been whistled for 11 penalties for 65 yards, with a number of of these coming whereas the end result was nonetheless in query. And it isn’t going to get any simpler with video games in opposition to NFC powers Detroit and Inexperienced Bay forward on the schedule.

What to make of the QB efficiency: Jake Browning tried to be aggressive early and push the ball downfield, however by way of three quarters, he did not have a ton of success. Throughout that span, he was 11-of-20 passing for 106 yards, no touchdowns and no interceptions. On throws of 10 or extra air yards, Browning was 2-of-7 passing, in response to Subsequent Gen Stats. Exterior of 1 drive, the offense was out of types for a bulk of the night. He completed 14 of 25 for 125 yards with no TD or interception.

Troubling pattern: The Bengals have gotten the doorways blown off in back-to-back first halves. Between video games in opposition to Denver and Minnesota, Cincinnati was outscored a mixed 55-6 within the first half, together with 21-3 on Monday. Cincinnati was outgained by 210 yards within the first half because the Bengals surrendered greater than 300 yards for the second time within the final three years.

Stat to know: Cincinnati’s offense was nonexistent in the course of the sport when Denver gained management. Excluding penalties, the Bengals gained 21 yards on 18 offensive performs on 5 full drives that spanned between the primary and the third quarter. Throughout Browning’s earlier stint as a beginning quarterback in 2023, Cincinnati’s offense was nonetheless efficient. Via two video games, that has not been the case. — Ben Child

Subsequent recreation: vs. Detroit Lions (4:25 p.m. ET, Sunday)