The Monday night matchup on September 29, 2025, between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Denver Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High brings together two teams with different kinds of urgency, as the Bengals attempt to recover from a demoralizing 48–10 loss to Minnesota while the Broncos try to end a frustrating run of close defeats and restore confidence at home. Cincinnati’s biggest concern lies in its offense, which has sputtered badly, ranking near the bottom of the league in both rushing and total yardage, leaving their quarterback under constant pressure and their receivers unable to consistently create separation. To have any chance in Denver, the Bengals must find ways to establish some balance on the ground, protect their quarterback better, and hit a few explosive plays downfield to keep the Broncos’ defense honest, while their own defense will need to key on stopping a Denver rushing attack that has been one of the league’s bright spots.

Denver, meanwhile, knows its formula: control the clock with a ground game that has already proven effective, force Cincinnati into third-and-long situations, and capitalize on defensive pressure to create turnovers, all while finally learning how to close games after two losses by one score early in the year. The Broncos’ defense will look to pressure Cincinnati into mistakes, especially if the Bengals are forced into a one-dimensional passing attack, while their offense will rely on misdirection, play-action, and steady runs to wear down a Bengals front that has struggled with gap discipline. Special teams could loom large, as Denver’s altitude always adds volatility to kicking and coverage, and Cincinnati cannot afford to lose the hidden-yardage battle if they hope to stay close. Oddsmakers set the Broncos as touchdown favorites with a total in the low 40s, reflecting the expectation of a low-scoring contest dictated by defensive intensity and situational execution, with Denver seen as the safer side given their stronger run game and home-field edge. Still, with both teams plagued by inconsistency, the game could be decided by which side manages turnovers, executes better in the red zone, and avoids the costly mistakes that have haunted each of them through three weeks of the season.