Broncos vs Bengals: Monday Night Football delivered a statement game on Sept. 29, 2025: the Denver Broncos dominated the Cincinnati Bengals, 28–3, at Empower Field at Mile High. Rookie-turned-starter Bo Nix led a balanced Denver attack while the Broncos’ defense suffocated Cincinnati’s backup quarterback and limited the Bengals to a lone field goal. This long-form, reader-friendly guide gives you everything a fan (or casual viewer) needs: a clear recap, stat leaders, injuries, why the result matters for both teams, where to watch games, what to expect next on each schedule, and safe ways to use odds and predictions responsibly.
Quick scoreboard — the short version
- Final: Broncos 28, Bengals 3 (Empower Field at Mile High, Sept. 29, 2025).
- Key performers: Bo Nix — 326 passing yards and multiple TDs (official box score shows 29-of-42 passing); J.K. Dobbins — 101 rushing yards; Courtland Sutton — TD catches and first-down conversions; Nik Bonitto and the Broncos pass rush were disruptive.
- Bengals note: Cincinnati started Jake Browning in place of injured Joe Burrow; the offense managed only three points and struggled against Denver’s pressure schemes.
1) Game flow & decisive moments (what actually happened)
The Broncos took control early. Denver converted a short punt and a quick scoring drive into sustained first-half success, leading 21–3 at halftime. Denver outgained Cincinnati by a huge margin (over 500 yards to the Bengals’ 159 in total offense), controlling the clock and forcing punts with a dominant defensive performance. The Broncos added a fourth-quarter touchdown to seal the win. Colorado’s altitude and a crisp Denver gameplan — balance between play-action passing from Nix and consistent running by J.K. Dobbins — made the difference.
Why it mattered in one sentence: the Broncos showed they can play complementary football (big plays on offense plus a hungry pass rush) while the Bengals revealed how dependent they remain on Joe Burrow when healthy.
2) Stat leaders & box-score highlights
- Passing: Bo Nix — 29/42, 326 yards, 2 TDs (per team/box score). Jake Browning — 14/25, 125 yards.
- Rushing: J.K. Dobbins — 16 carries, 101 yards (first 100-yard rushing game for Broncos in a while).
- Receiving: Courtland Sutton and Marvin Mims Jr. had key receptions; Sutton’s third-down conversions were crucial.
- Defense: Nik Bonitto and the edge group generated pressure and multiple sacks; Denver held Cincinnati to just three points.
(For full play-by-play and official box score, see the linked ESPN and team pages at the end of this post.)
3) Injuries & availability — what to watch next
- Bengals: Joe Burrow remained out with turf-toe issues; the team relied on Jake Browning, and the offense looked limited without Burrow’s timing and playmaking. Follow Bengals injury reports for updates before the next game.
- Broncos: Marvin Mims Jr. was questionable going into the game but came up with important catches. Monitor Courtland Sutton’s status as the season progresses (he had a productive night).
Teams will post official injury reports mid-week; fantasy managers and bettors should check those updates and confirm active status prior to kickoff. For the primary, reliable in-season reports, use team game notes and league injury reports.
4) Why Bo Nix’s performance matters for Denver
Bo Nix’s prolific outing (over 300 passing yards, multiple TDs) signaled his maturation as a starting QB in the NFL. Denver’s offensive scheme under Sean Payton leaned on play-action and Y-center concepts, and Nix capitalized on quick reads and mobility. That kind of performance in prime time helps build confidence for both the quarterback and the coaching staff; it’s also a statement for the Broncos’ season trajectory if they can replicate complementary defensive play.
For Bengals fans, conversely, the game reiterated how critical Burrow’s availability is to maintaining an explosive offense.
5) Where to watch (TV, streaming and radio)
If you’re planning ahead for future Broncos vs Bengals games or similar MNF matchups, here’s the typical distribution for nationally televised Monday Night Football in 2025:
- Primary TV: ABC (national) carried the Broncos vs Bengals game; ESPN/ABC are the MNF homes. Local affiliate channels (WCPO in Cincinnati, local ABC affiliates in Denver) also broadcast regionally.
- Streaming: ESPN app / ESPN+ and national services such as NFL+, Hulu+Live TV, Fubo, Sling and other live-TV streamers carry MNF; check local blackouts and package requirements. For cord-cutters, NFL+ and ESPN+ are the most reliable single-app options.
- Radio: Local flagship stations — Broncos radio network and Bengals radio network — also provide live radio coverage and play-by-play. Team websites list the affiliate networks and livestream links.
Always confirm time zones (kickoffs are listed in ET on national schedules; the Denver local time was 6:15 p.m. MT for this game). Links to official “how-to-watch” pages are included at the bottom.
6) Odds, predictions and responsible use of betting markets
Pre-game odds and predictions are part of the fan experience — but use them responsibly:
- Before the game: Las Vegas and online sportsbooks publish spreads, moneylines and totals. Fantasy and betting sites (and our predictions) should be treated as entertainment, not financial advice.
- This game’s shape: Athleticism and x-matchups favored Denver once Burrow was out; sportsbooks adjusted lines for the QB change and rainy/altitude factors. Post-game, lines will move for each team’s next opponent based on performance and injury updates.
If you bet, set limits, only use licensed sportsbooks in your state/country, and never chase losses. For readers who want betting context, we include a short primer on odds in the interactive sidebar. (We do not provide direct betting tips or financial advice.)
7) Tactical takeaways — how Denver won (and how Cincinnati can respond)
Denver’s winning recipe:
- Pressure & coverage: Edge rushers and Surtain’s coverage disrupted Cincinnati’s timing. Nik Bonitto’s play was repeatedly mentioned as a game-changer.
- Balanced offense: Nix’s deep connections mixed well with Dobbins’ downhill runs — controlling clock and keeping Cincinnati’s offense off the field.
- Special teams & field position: A short punt and advantageous field position set up Denver’s opening score — small edges compound in prime time.
What Cincinnati must address:
- Quarterback health: Getting Joe Burrow back healthy is the obvious first step; the offense struggled to sustain drives without his mobility and timing.
- Penalties & execution: The Bengals were flagged multiple times and had key calls negate plays (e.g., a nullified Tee Higgins catch). Cleaning up penalties and execution will be required in the coming weeks.
8) What this result means for the standings & season narratives
- Broncos: The win lifted Denver to 2–2 (home strength improving) and gives Sean Payton’s team momentum as they enter the middle of the season. A prime-time win helps the team’s profile and can stabilize confidence.
- Bengals: A 2–2 mark (with Burrow injured) raises questions about depth and roster resilience. Cincinnati must navigate the next weeks carefully while monitoring Burrow’s recovery and potential roster moves.
Both squads have long seasons ahead — one game rarely decides a franchise’s fate — but prime-time outcomes shape narratives and influence trade/strategy decisions in the short term.
9) What to watch next on each schedule
- Broncos schedule: Denver will travel or host based on the upcoming NFL slate — check the Broncos official schedule page for next-game kickoff times and local broadcast info. A follow-up trip will test whether Denver can sustain prime-time form.
- Bengals schedule: Cincinnati will hope to get Burrow back; their coaching staff faces roster decisions and potential short-term quarterback plans. Fans should monitor Bengals pressers mid-week for clarity.
Quick checklist — for viewers, bettors, and fantasy managers
- Confirm kickoff time in your time zone and local ABC/ESPN affiliate. (ESPN.com)
- If playing fantasy, watch mid-week injury reports; Burrow’s status is a major fantasy variable. (stripehype.com)
- If you bet, set a limit, use licensed sportsbooks, and verify line moves after injury news. (Covers.com)
Disclaimer
This article is informational and summarizes verified game results, official team reporting and major-wire coverage as of Sept. 29–30, 2025. It is not financial, medical, or betting advice. For official statistics and live play-by-play, rely on league and team sources (links above). Betting rules and availability differ by jurisdiction; always use licensed providers and bet responsibly.