Bengals at Broncos second quarter recap

The Cincinnati Bengals had decent start to their next drive, but the Denver Broncos got lucky with an illegal formation penalty that wiped out a 36-yard reception by Tee Higgins with Riley Moss in coverage. The Broncos defense quickly got the Bengals into a 3rd and 20 from there and got the ball back for the offense.

Bo Nix and the Broncos offense got a quick first down to start the next drive to Marvin Mims Jr. Nix would then connect Trautman twice, but the first had him step out before catching the ball. The second went for six yards. Courtland Sutton then made a nice first down catch on third down and turned it up field for an 18 yard gain into Bengals territory.

The drive almost stalled a few plays later, but on third and four Nix escaped a sack to fire a ball to Sutton who broke a tackle and gained 22 yards to get them into field goal range. The drive would be capped with an end-around to Marvin Mims Jr. for a 16-yard touchdown.

Broncos 14, Bengals 3.

After forcing a three-and-out, the Broncos offense got the ball right back with plenty of time left in the second quarter. The Broncos got their run game going on their next drive with both RJ Harvey and JK Dobbins ripping off some nice gains to get Denver across midfield. A Luke Wattenburg holding call, however, put them into a 1st and 20 at midfield. `

Bo Nix was dealing, though, finding Troy Franklin over the middle for a 24-yard gain and a first down into field goal range. Eventually, they found themselves facing a fourth and 1 at the two yard line. Bo Nix rolled out and threw it into coverage for the interception.

Denver’s defense wasn’t having any of it and forced the Bengals into a punt with 1:24 left in the half after Nik Bonitto and Jonathon Cooper converged for the sack on Jake Browning.

Facing a third and 10 with 30 seconds left, Nix found Marvin Mims Jr. down the field for a 28 yard gain into field goal range.

Tyler Badie then took a pass over the middle and ran it out of bounds after a 12 yard gain to preserve the clock. From the Bengals 28 yard line, Nix hit Courtland Sutton on a quick slant for eight yards with 13 seconds left in the half. Nix would throw it up to Sutton on a slant over the middle into the end zone for the 20-yard touchdown.

Broncos 21, Bengals 3.