Broncos Dominate Bengals 21-3 at Halftime: Can Cincinnati Mount a Stunning Comeback?

Denver is absolutely schooling Cincinnati on this Monday Night Football stage, owning a 21-3 lead at the break — and honestly, it should be even wider by now. The Broncos have crushed it in yardage, piling up 305 yards compared to the Bengals’ mere 94, controlling the ball with only one punt so far. Bo Nix made some flashy moves, sprinting in for a 6-yard touchdown and firing a 20-yard strike to Courtland Sutton as the halftime buzzer neared. Marvin Mims added a strong 16-yard touchdown run to the mix, really setting the tone. Nix’s line? A solid 17 completions on 26 attempts for 217 yards, balancing a touchdown with one interception. Sutton’s been the go-to guy with five catches totaling 81 yards and a score, while Mims chipped in with three catches for 44 yards.

On the flip side, the Bengals have been snagged by penalties—eight accepted for 50 yards—which is tying their worst first-half haul under Zac Taylor. Their own linebacker Demetrius Knight did snatch an interception from Nix on a critical fourth-and-1 near the goal line, halting what could have been an even bigger Broncos lead. Cincinnati managed to nab a 3-0 advantage early but sputtered afterward, covering just 40 yards in their last four attempts before halftime. QB Jake Browning’s figures stand at 8 completions in 15 throws for 66 yards, with Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins contributing limited catches and yards as Chase Brown ground out 30 yards on eight carries. It’s been a first half Denver firmly controls—but the game’s still eight quarters away from over.

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The Broncos have dominated Monday Night Football in Denver.

They lead the Bengals 21-3 at halftime, and it should be more.

Denver has outgained Cincinnati 305 to 94 and has punted only once, but Bo Nix threw a fourth-down interception in the end zone on one possession.

Nix ran for a 6-yard touchdown, and he threw a 20-yard touchdown to Courtland Sutton with only eight seconds left in the half. Marvin Mims scored the Broncos’ other touchdown on a 16-yard run.

Nix is 17-of-26 for 217 yards with a touchdown and an interception. Sutton has five catches for 81 yards and a touchdown, and Mims has contributed three receptions for 44 yards.

Bengals linebacker Demetrius Knight prevented the Broncos from another touchdown with his pick of Nix on fourth-and-1 from the 2.

The Bengals took a 3-0 lead on their first drive, going 62 yards in 12 plays before stalling at the Denver 8. In their last four drives of the half, the Bengals had 15 plays and 40 yards.

The Bengals have hurt themselves with eight accepted penalties for 50 yards. It ties for the most in the first-half of a game with Zac Taylor as their head coach.

Jake Browning is 8-of-15 for 66 yards, with Ja’Marr Chase catching three for 15. Tee Higgins has two receptions for 25 yards. Chase Brown has eight carries for 30 yards.