The Denver Broncos faced a tough defeat against the Cincinnati Bengals, losing 30-24 in overtime at Paycor Stadium. Quarterback Bo Nix, who had been under pressure to perform, showed signs of improvement despite the loss. He completed 24 of 31 passes for 219 yards and threw three touchdowns, demonstrating growth as he led the Broncos back from a 10-3 deficit. Nix's standout moments included a high-point touchdown pass to Courtland Sutton and a spectacular 51-yard throw to Marvin Mims Jr., which tied the game and pushed it to overtime.
However, Nix's late-game struggles, particularly a misfire to Troy Franklin on a crucial third down, ultimately cost the Broncos a chance at the postseason. Defensively, cornerback Riley Moss returned after a knee injury, contributing significantly with seven tackles but allowing a touchdown to Tee Higgins. Meanwhile, Pat Surtain II continued to shine defensively, creating turnovers and limiting the effectiveness of star receiver Ja'Marr Chase, who managed to rack up 102 yards.
Jonathon Cooper also had a notable performance, recording 1.5 sacks and achieving a career-high of 9.5 for the season. The Broncos’ defense showed flashes of brilliance with multiple fourth-down stops, but their inability to contain third-down conversions proved detrimental in the end. With the loss, the Broncos now face a critical matchup against the Chiefs to keep their playoff hopes alive.
