Over the course of the next few weeks, we will be taking an in-depth look at the Bengals' 2025 opponents. We will continue with the Denver Broncos.
2024
Denver entered 2024 with a new quarterback, drafting Oregon QB Bo Nix in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft. Nix had a successful rookie campaign, tossing 29 touchdowns and running for four more. As an offense, Denver ranked 10th in points per game (25.0).
The Broncos were built on their defense last season, allowing the third-fewest points per game (18.3) and the seven-fewest yards per game (317.1).
The Broncos finished 10-7, making the playoffs before losing to the Buffalo Bills in the Wild Card.
Offseason Changes
The rich got richer on the defensive side of the ball, as the Broncos invested in the defense in free agency. They signed a pair of 49ers in LB Dre Greenlaw and S Talanoa Hufanga and brought back DT D.J. Jones. Denver also signed former Jaguars TE Evan Engram to give Nix another target on offense.
The Broncos also drafted CB Jahdae Barron out of Texas in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft, adding another corner to a group that includes 2024 Defensive Player of the Year Pat Surtain II. They then added RB RJ Harvey in the second round out of UCF and WR Pat Bryant from Illinois in the third round. The Broncos hope Harvey will help a rushing attack that ranked 16th in rushing yards per game.
Coaching Staff
Head coach Sean Payton enters his third season with the Broncos after spending 15 years with the New Orleans Saints. Payton won Super Bowl XLIV with New Orleans and ranks fifth among active coaches and 17th all time with 179 career wins (regular season and playoffs).
Offensive coordinator Joe Lombardi came to the Broncos in 2023 with Payton after spending the 2021-22 season as the Chargers' offensive coordinator. Under Lombardi, the Broncos have ranked in the top-10 in interceptions (fifth, 21) and touchdowns (ninth, 58).
Defensive coordinator Vance Joseph also enters his third year as the Broncos defensive coordinator. This is his second stint with Denver, serving as the team's head coach in 2017 and 2018. After a stint with the Cardinals as their defensive coordinator from 2019-22, Payton brought him back to the Mile High City. Over the past two seasons, Joseph's defense has recorded the second-most sacks (105) and seventh-most takeaways (50) in the NFL.
Series History
The Broncos and Bengals have matched up 34 times. Cincinnati has won the last two meetings, including an overtime thriller in Week 17 last season at Paycor Stadium.
What To Watch For
Surtain II, fresh off his DPOY award, will match up with Triple Crown winner WR Ja’Marr Chase. In the 2024 rendition, Chase recorded nine receptions for 102 yards, but he had three catches for 27 yards when covered by Surtain. Meanwhile, Barron could potentially see some snaps against WR Tee Higgins, who lit Denver up for three touchdowns and 131 yards on 11 catches in 2024.
View the best photos from Bengals-Broncos matchups of years past
QB Joe Burrow celebrates a fourth-quarter touchdown against the Denver Broncos, Saturday, December 28, 2024
Cincinnatti Bengals receiver Cris Collingsworth leaps to snag a pass from quarterback Ken Anderson in the second quarter against the Denver Broncos in Cincinnati, Aug. 30, 1981. Bronco's cornerback Perry Smith watches the catch. (AP Photo/Jeff Hinckley)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill (32) celebrates his 85-yard touchdown run against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game Monday, Dec. 22, 2014, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
Denver Broncos quarterback Trevor Siemian (13) is sacked by Cincinnati Bengals defensive tackle Domata Peko (94) during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers)
Denver Broncos outside linebacker Stephen Weatherly (91) against the Cincinnati Bengals in the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec 19, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Bart Young)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Corey Dillon (28) pushes away Denver Broncos defender Al Wilson, left, in the first half Sunday, Oct. 22, 2000, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Al Behrman)
Cincinnati Bengals receiver Chad Ochocinco (85) is tackled by Denver Broncos safety Brian Dawkins (20) in the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Tom Uhlman)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron (5) throws against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 28, 2015, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard (94) dives to grab a fumble against the Denver Broncos during an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
WR Tee Higgins scores a second-quarter touchdown against the Denver Broncos, Saturday, December 28, 2024.
Denver Broncos wide receiver Eric Decker (87) comes down inside the end zone for a touchdown as Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Nate Clements (22) defends in the third quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)
RB Chase Brown hurdles a defender against the Denver Broncos, Saturday, December 28, 2024.
The Denver Broncos line up on the line of scrimmage against the Cincinnati during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011, in Denver. (AP Photo/Joe Mahoney)
Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick (27) runs back an interception in the end zone as Denver Broncos tight end Virgil Green (85) pursues during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 19, 2017, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos quarterback Tim Tebow (15) against the Cincinnati Bengals in an NFL pre season football game , Sunday, Aug. 15, 2010, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Ed Reinke)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver Mohamed Sanu (12) scores a touchdown against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game, Monday, Dec. 28, 2015, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) runs the ball during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores)
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow (9) throws against the Denver Broncos during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 19, 2021, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) comes down with a catch for a touchdown against Denver Broncos cornerback Andre Goodman (21) in the fourth quarter of an NFL football game on Sunday, Sept. 18, 2011, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Denver Broncos quarterback Peyton Manning looks to pass during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals Monday, Dec. 22, 2014, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/AJ Mast)
WR Tee Higgins scores a fourth-quarter touchdown against the Denver Broncos, Saturday, December 28, 2024.
Cincinnati Bengals safety Dexter Jackson, left, is pushed out of bounds by Denver Broncos center Tom Nalen after Jackson intercepted a pass during the first quarter of their football game in Denver on Sunday, Dec. 24, 2006. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
WR Tee Higgins catches a deep ball on the sideline in overtime against the Denver Broncos, Saturday, December 28, 2024.
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer (9) passes in an NFL football game, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Tom Uhlman)
Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Bryan Robinson walks off the field following a 23-24 loss to the Denver Broncos during a football game in Denver, Sunday, Dec. 24, 2006. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
