The Denver Broncos had a great chance to beat the Cincinnati Bengals and move into the NFL playoffs for the first time since 2015 on Saturday. Unfortunately, they were beaten by the better team and still remain one win away from a playoff berth after a 30-24 loss. Here are Denver’s studs and duds from the defeat.
Stud: WR Marvin Mims
Mims was superb against Cincinnati, with a team-high eight catches for 103 yards and two touchdowns. He also had a 27 yard kickoff return. Mims’ miraculous second score tied the game with eight seconds left, getting the game to overtime.
Dud: CB Riley Moss
In his first game back from injury, Moss was beat constantly by Bengals receiver Tee Higgins, who eventually caught the game-winner in overtime. Moss needs to put up a more respectable performance against the Kansas City Chiefs next week.
Stud: QB Bo Nix
Nix did almost everything he could to win against the Bengals. Nix finished the day 24-of-31 for 219 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. Nix ran the second-half two minute drill to absolute perfection, converting a 4th-and-1 for a touchdown to Mims with eight seconds in regulation.
Dud: Overtime offense
After the Broncos were given a gift from the football gods when the Bengals missed a 33-yard field goal in overtime, Denver couldn’t do anything to move the ball and waste clock. When that happened, Cincinnati quarterback Joe Burrow made them pay.
Stud: Broncos pass rush
The NFL leaders in sacks continued their defensive dominance against the Bengals, sacking Burrow seven times. Defensive lineman Zach Allen topped the list with 3.5 sacks, edge defender Jonathon Cooper added 1.5 sacks, outside linebacker Deondre Tillman had one sack and pass rusher linebacker Nik Bonitto and cornerback Ja’quan McMillian each added a half-sack.
Dud: Self-inflicted wounds
The Broncos were on the wrong end of a seemingly one-sided yellow flag thrown by the guys in stripes. Denver had seven penalties for 35 yards, while Cincinnati had three for 15 yards. Penalties weren’t the only reason Denver lost; self-inflicted wounds like giving up several third and longs, giving up big pass plays, and time of possession (26:57 for Denver, 41:56 for Cincinnati) ultimately doomed the team.
Silver lining
It may be hard to believe, but the Denver Broncos are still alive in the playoff hunt and just need one more win (or tie) to make it into the playoffs for the first time since Peyton Manning retired. They’ll have a fantastic chance next week as they face a Kansas City Chiefs team that will likely rest their key starters with the No. 1 seed already secured.
As devastating a loss as this is, Denver is showing their ability to contend with the most explosive teams in the AFC. The stark truth is, whether this team makes the playoffs or not, this is a young football team led by a veteran head coach and a rookie quarterback. Nobody in the NFL thought the Broncos would even be CLOSE to a playoff spot. The fact that they’re battling for a postseason berth with one week to go is remarkable. They need one more win. Cheer hard, Broncos Country. It’s still possible!
