The Denver Broncos are set to host the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday Night Football at Empower Field at Mile High, presenting a critical opportunity for both teams to make a statement. With the Broncos sitting at 1-2 and desperate for a breakthrough performance, while the Bengals arrive at 2-1 but without their franchise quarterback Joe Burrow, this primetime clash is primed for several bold outcomes that could reshape both teams' seasons.
The stage is perfectly set for the Broncos to deliver their most complete performance of the 2025 season. Denver enters as 7.5-point home favorites against a Cincinnati team that has struggled mightily without their superstar signal-caller. With Jake Browning stepping in for the injured Burrow, who underwent successful toe surgery and is expected to miss at least three months, the Bengals face significant challenges on both sides of the ball.
Bo Nix Delivers His Breakout Performance with 300+ Passing Yards
The moment has arrived for Bo Nix to silence his critics and showcase why the Broncos selected him 12th overall in the 2024 draft. Despite early season struggles that have seen him complete just 61.8% of his passes for 866 yards through three games, Monday night presents the perfect opportunity for his coming-out party.
Nix's trajectory mirrors his exceptional late-season performance from 2024, when he threw for over 2,000 yards and 21 touchdowns in his final eight games while posting a 108 passer rating. The sophomore quarterback has shown elite red-zone efficiency, completing 64.71% of his passes for 22 touchdowns in scoring position during his rookie campaign. Against a Bengals defense that ranks 25th in pass defense, allowing 240.7 yards per game, and has surrendered six passing touchdowns through three weeks, the conditions are ripe for Nix to explode.
The Bengals' secondary has been particularly vulnerable without their injured cornerback Cam Taylor-Britt, who remains doubtful with a hamstring injury. With elite weapons like Courtland Sutton, who leads the team with 185 receiving yards, and an improved offensive line providing better protection, Nix will have the tools necessary to surpass 300 passing yards for the first time in his young career. The altitude advantage at Mile High, combined with Cincinnati's depleted coverage unit, creates the perfect storm for Nix's breakout performance.
Denver's Pass Rush Dominates with 5+ Sacks Against Jake Browning
The Broncos' defensive line enters this matchup as one of the NFL's most dominant pass-rushing units, ranking first in pressure rate and seventh in overall pass rush grade through the first three weeks of the season. This formidable front seven, featuring Nik Bonitto, Jonathan Cooper, DJ Jones, and John Franklin-Myers, will face a Cincinnati offensive line that has been consistently ranked among the league's worst units.
Nik Bonitto SHOT OUT OF A CANNON pic.twitter.com/E4YotzaABT
— Football Analysis (@FBallAnalysisYT) September 21, 2025
Jake Browning's concerning interception rate of 8.5% – leading the NFL with five picks in just 59 attempts – stems largely from poor pocket protection that forces him into hurried throws. The Bengals' offensive line, currently graded as the lowest in the league, has allowed consistent pressure that has disrupted their entire offensive rhythm. In stark contrast, the Broncos have accumulated 52 sacks in their recent defensive dominance campaigns and maintain that same relentless pressure approach.
Denver's pass rush success will be amplified by their ability to force Browning into predictable passing situations. The Bengals have struggled to establish any semblance of a running game without Joe Burrow's presence to keep defenses honest, making them one-dimensional and vulnerable to the Broncos' aggressive pass rush schemes. With the crowd noise at Empower Field at Mile High disrupting communication and the altitude affecting visiting teams' conditioning, expect the Denver defense to overwhelm Cincinnati's struggling protection schemes early and often.
Broncos Defense Forces 4+ Turnovers in a Dominant Display
The turnover battle will be decisive in this Monday Night Football showdown, and all indicators point toward a dominant defensive performance by the Broncos. Jake Browning's troubling ball security issues have been evident throughout his limited 2025 action, throwing five interceptions in just two games while posting the worst interception rate among qualified quarterbacks.
Denver's secondary, anchored by playmakers who have consistently created turnovers throughout their careers, will feast on Browning's tendency to force throws under pressure. The Broncos' defense has recorded multiple interceptions in key games and shows no signs of slowing down against a quarterback who has already demonstrated poor decision-making in crucial moments. Additionally, their aggressive pass rush will create strip-sack opportunities, as Browning has shown vulnerability to fumbling when pressured.
The Bengals' offensive struggles extend beyond just quarterback play – their receivers have had difficulty creating separation, and their offensive line's inability to provide consistent protection will lead to hurried throws and poor decisions. Cincinnati committed five turnovers in their Week 3 loss to Minnesota, highlighting their current offensive instability. With the Broncos' defense generating consistent pressure and the hostile Mile High environment affecting communication, expect Denver's defense to capitalize with at least four takeaways, including multiple interceptions and at least one fumble recovery.
The convergence of these factors – Nix's breakout performance, a dominant pass rush overwhelming Cincinnati's protection, and a turnover-heavy defensive display – sets the stage for the Broncos to deliver their most complete performance of the season. This Monday Night Football clash represents more than just a regular season game; it's an opportunity for Denver to establish themselves as a legitimate contender while potentially derailing Cincinnati's season in the absence of their franchise quarterback. With the national spotlight shining bright on Empower Field at Mile High, expect the Broncos to rise to the occasion and deliver a statement victory that echoes throughout the AFC.
