By Oscar Woods 
The Bengals vs Denver Broncos match player stats tell a one-sided story. On September 29, 2025, at Empower Field at Mile High, the Denver Broncos handed Cincinnati a 28-3 beatdown that wasn’t nearly as close as the score suggests.
Table of Contents
Final Score: Denver Broncos 28, Cincinnati Bengals 3
| Team | Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cincinnati Bengals | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Denver Broncos | 7 | 14 | 0 | 7 | 28 |
Cincinnati’s only points came on an Evan McPherson 26-yard field goal early in the first quarter. After that, it was all Denver.
Quarterback Stats: Bo Nix vs. Jake Browning
This was the most glaring gap in the entire game.
Bo Nix (Denver Broncos)
- 29 of 42 completions
- 326 passing yards
- 2 touchdowns
- 1 interception
- Also added a 6-yard rushing touchdown
Jake Browning (Cincinnati Bengals)
- 14 of 25 completions
- 125 passing yards
- 0 touchdowns
- Could not find any consistent rhythm all afternoon
Nix threw for 326 yards and moved the offense with genuine confidence. The Bengals’ signal caller, Browning, managed just 125 yards through the air. Denver outgained Cincinnati by 201 passing yards at the quarterback position alone.
Rushing Stats: Broncos Own the Ground Game
Denver’s ground attack was just as punishing.
J.K. Dobbins (Denver Broncos)
- 16 carries
- 101 rushing yards
Chase Brown (Cincinnati Bengals)
- 10 carries
- 40 rushing yards
Dobbins crossed the century mark and kept Cincinnati’s defense on their heels all game. Brown had nowhere near the same success on the ground. Denver’s running game contributed directly to their time of possession edge, which clocked in at 37:58 for the Broncos vs. 22:02 for the Bengals.
Receiving Stats: Sutton Steps Up for Denver
Courtland Sutton (Denver Broncos)
- 5 receptions
- 81 receiving yards
- 1 touchdown (20-yard catch from Bo Nix in Q2)
Tee Higgins (Cincinnati Bengals)
- 3 receptions
- 32 receiving yards
- 0 touchdowns
Sutton was Nix’s most reliable target all afternoon, finishing with the game’s top receiving performance. Marvin Mims Jr. also contributed a 16-yard rushing touchdown, adding another dimension to Denver’s offensive variety.
Higgins, typically one of the AFC’s more dangerous wideouts, was held largely in check by Denver’s secondary.
Defensive Standouts
Denver Broncos Defense
- Nik Bonitto (LB): 1.5 sacks, led Denver’s pass rush
- Alex Singleton (LB): 11 total tackles (6 solo), led all defenders in tackles
Cincinnati Bengals Defense
- Geno Stone (S): 10 total tackles (4 solo), team high
Denver’s defense was the story just as much as the offense. The Bengals converted only 2 of 11 third downs all afternoon. Denver converted 8 of 14. That efficiency gap defined the game’s tempo from the first quarter onward.
Team Stats at a Glance
| Stat | Cincinnati Bengals | Denver Broncos |
|---|---|---|
| Total Yards | 159 | 512 |
| 1st Downs | 9 | 29 |
| Turnovers | 0 | 1 |
| Penalties | 11 for 65 yds | 7 for 72 yds |
| 3rd Down Conv. | 2/11 | 8/14 |
| Red Zone | 0/1 | 3/4 |
| Time of Possession | 22:02 | 37:58 |
The 512 total yards for Denver against 159 for Cincinnati is about as stark a yardage differential as you’ll see in the NFL. The Bengals could not move the ball, could not convert third downs, and could not keep pace in any phase.
Scoring Summary
- Q1: McPherson 26-yd FG (CIN 3, DEN 0)
- Q1: Bo Nix 6-yd rush TD (CIN 3, DEN 7)
- Q2: Marvin Mims Jr. 16-yd rush TD (CIN 3, DEN 14)
- Q2: Courtland Sutton 20-yd reception from Bo Nix (CIN 3, DEN 21)
- Q4: Denver TD (CIN 3, DEN 28)
What These Numbers Mean Going Forward
For Denver, these bengals vs broncos match player stats confirm what the Broncos have been building toward. Bo Nix at 2-2 is showing legitimate growth, Dobbins is healthy and effective, and their defense has real bite with Bonitto leading the pass rush.
For Cincinnati, these numbers are a wake-up call. The Bengals fell to 2-2 on the season. With Jake Browning under center and just 159 total yards of offense, there are real questions about where the production is going to come from moving forward. The red zone was a shutout as well — 0 for 1 — meaning Cincinnati never truly threatened once Denver took control.
Both teams sit at 2-2 heading deeper into the 2025 NFL season, but the trajectory after this performance points in very different directions.
Stats sourced from ESPN. Game played September 29, 2025, at Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO.