Stick here for live updates and analysis as Denver takes on the Bengals in Cincinnati. Live updates Second-quarter updates All in a day’s work (3:32 p.m.): Broncos defense has done the job so far but has been on the field for 14:36 already. Now right back out there after the offense goes three-and-out. Big sequence here, with Cincy in good field position and 4:55 to go in the first half. Bengals start the second half with the ball, too. — Gabriel Three-and-out (3:31 p.m.): Three-and-out for Denver, but the Broncos do well to at least get out from the shadow of their own goal line. — Schubert Lucky (3:30 p.m.): Adding to the Broncos’ luck … Bo Nix very fortunate his second-down pass didn’t get picked. — Schubert Stopped (3:26 p.m.): Jonathon Cooper sacks Joe Burrow on fourth-and-goal. Denver ball at their own 5. — Nguyen BRONCOS STOP! Jonathon Cooper with the sack on fourth down. Tremendous work on the goal line. All that said … Ja’Marr Chase gave the Broncos defense a mulligan on third-and-goal. Denver incredibly fortunate to be winning this game right now. — Schubert For second time, Broncos defense stiffens on fourth down. Cooper with the hustle sack on a scrambling Burrow. #Bengals had the ball for 17 plays on that drive and come up empty. Otherwise known as the Shurmur Special. — Renck Cincinnati’s two drives: 11 plays, 48 yards, 3 first downs, 5:22: No points. 17 plays, 68 yards, 6 first downs, 9:14: No points. — Gabriel Dropped (3:25 p.m.): Broncos dodge a bullet. Ja’Marr Chase just dropped it. A sure-fire touchdown 99% of the time. — Schubert Run stoppers (3:25 p.m.): The Broncos’ defense has been fantastic early on against the jumbo runs. D.J. Jones with the stop on second down. — Schubert Targeted (3:23 p.m.): Riley Moss again targeted. And again it’s trouble. This time a PI call at the goal line. The game plan is becoming abundantly clear for the Bengals. — Schubert Back to work (3:18 p.m.): Riley Moss has seven tackles (six solo) so far this game. — Nguyen So far today, Broncos CB Riley Moss has been targeted four times, allowing four catches for 34 yards on 15 coverage snaps, per Next Gen Stats. — McFadden Halfway through the second quarter and Riley Moss already has seven tackles today. — Gabriel First-hand look (3:17 p.m.): Corner blitz fails to get to Burrow in time as he converts third down to Tee Higgins. Will Broncos pursue Higgins as a free agent in offseason? The Broncos must get more weapons, though I suspect they will target a TE in the draft. — Renck In the zone (3:16 p.m.): Riley Moss’ impact on this defense really is pretty remarkable. Vance Joseph is so comfortable playing up and in your face when both Moss and Pat Surtain II are out there. — Gabriel Riley Moss getting A LOT of work early on. — Schubert Sacked (3:12 p.m.): How do you do? Zach Allen with monster sack on Burrow. — Renck Moss update (3:11 p.m.): Riley Moss looked like he might’ve been a little banged up on that last tackle. Took a knee to the helmet. — Schubert First-quarter analysis — Broncos 3, Bengals 0 Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Surtain v. Chase is as advertised. And the Broncos defense is off to a good start after a rough month without Riley Moss. Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Denver’s defense looks much different with Riley Moss on the field. The question is how long will they be able to contain Joe Burrow and Cincy’s offense. Troy Renck, sports columnist: Broncos’ Sean Payton cannot help himself. He loves to pass. And the Broncos are going to have work the ball downfield more to win this game. On positive side, Surtain is neutralizing Chase. Matt Schubert, sports editor: Bo Nix and the Broncos offense are going to have to do better than a field goal per quarter pace to beat these Bengals. Kudos to the Denver defense, but it’s only a matter of time before Joe Burrow gets rolling. First-quarter updates Can’t capitalize (3:05 p.m.): One first down and then nothing doing for the Broncos after a false start. This is a game where the margin of error is not big enough for shenanigans like that. — Schubert Injury (2:57 p.m.): Damarri Mathis is questionable to return with a hamstring injury. — McFadden Fourth down (2:56 p.m.): Big early stop for Vance Joseph’s group. — Gabriel Broncos defense stands up on back-to-back runs up the gut. Gotta say, surprising calls from the Bengals there. You have Joe Burrow throwing the football. Nik Bonitto totally unblocked on that fourth-down run. — Schubert It doesn’t appear Bengals got first down… Here come the chains. .. And a couple of scoops of Skyline Chili short. #Broncos take over at the 22-yard line. Nik Bonitto had a strong first series with coverage of Chase — you can’t throw on Bonitto Island — on one play and a fourth-down stop. — Renck Play call (2:55 p.m.): Couple of curious third-down calls from these two teams. Going for it on fourth down feels a little more appropriate for the Bengals here. — Schubert Third-down conversion (2:52 p.m.): Chase ran away from Surtain on the shallow cross for a third-down conversion. Don’t see many guys get first-step separation on Surtain like that. But Chase isn’t most guys. — Gabriel Casa Bonitto (2:51 p.m.): Nik Bonitto with a PBU on Ja’Marr Chase. What can’t that guy do? — Gabriel Moss’ return (2:51 p.m.): Moss sheds Tee Higgins block to tackle Chase Brown on next first down. Good sign to see him moving well laterally. — Renck Passing game (2:49 p.m.): For as much attention as we gave Surtain vs. Chase and Moss vs. Higgins this week, the Broncos’ safeties and ILBs have to be able to mitigate TE Mike Gesicki and RB Chase Brown in the passing game. Slot man Andrei Iosivas also a dangerous target. — Gabriel Rusty (2:49 p.m.): Riley Moss likely will be a little rusty today following three-week absence. Was a little late in run support as Chase Brown rounded the corner for a first down. — Renck Field goal, Broncos (2:44 p.m.): Fully support kicking the field goal there. Get points on the board right away. — Schubert Can’t stand the fade on third-and-2. I am with Parker. Could have run there. And run on fourth-and-1 if necessary. But it was an impressive opening drive and marks the fifth time this year Denver has scored on its opening drive. — Renck Wil Lutz’s 30-yard field goal caps off a 10-play, 58-yard drive for Denver. Broncos 3, Bengals 0 with 9:45 to go in the first quarter. — Nguyen Play call (2:43 p.m.): Don’t love the third-and-2 slot fade call there. — Gabriel Broncos really wasted a timeout to call a fade. They were better off running it or play action. — McFadden Time out (2:42 p.m.): There was confusion in the huddle and at the line. Bo Nix forced to call timeout facing a third-and-2 at the 12-yard line. Been impressive opening drive for Broncos. — Renck Holding? (2:41 p.m.): Zac Taylor halfway out to the numbers off the Cincy sideline, irate that an obvious Javonte Williams hold went uncalled. — Gabriel Bo Nix with third down dart to Vele. And on first down scramble by Nix, Javonte Williams nearly tackles players and somehow is not called for holding. Bengals sideline went nuclear. — Renck Third-down conversion (2:40 p.m.): That was an impressive throw from Nix to Vele on third down. — McFadden Devaughn Vele back as a third-down target. Big conversion. — Schubert Run it! (2:37 p.m.): A 12-yard run by Jaleel McLaughlin on the Broncos’ first play of the game. — Nguyen Good to see Bengals defense remains allergic to tackling. Good sign for Broncos. — Renck Coin toss (2:34 p.m.): Broncos won the toss and elected to receive. — McFadden Sean Payton wants the ball to start the game. An early chance to control the pace of the game. Will be interesting to see how aggressive he is from the jump. — Gabriel Pre-game updates Apropos of this matchup (2:33 p.m.): Cincinnati’s three game captains are Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. If the Broncos contain that trio, they’re in great shape. If not, well, it could be a long afternoon. — Gabriel Key matchup (2:25 p.m.): Can’t overstate how much fun Pat Surtain II vs. Ja’Marr Chase is going to be this afternoon. Both entered the 2024 season considered among the very best at their respective positions. And each has put together the best year of his young career. — Gabriel From the NFL police (2:05 p.m.): Broncos OLB Jonathon Cooper was fined $12,668 for a horse collar tackle last week against Los Angeles. DL Malcolm Roach was fined $11,255 for taunting. Undrafted rookie RB Blake Watson got popped for $4,463 for illegal use of his helmet. — Gabriel Broncos inactives (1:03 p.m.): QB Zach Wilson (emergency 3rd QB) RB Blake Watson OL Frank Crum ILB Levelle Bailey DL Eyioma Uwazurike DL Matt Henningsen (PS) WR David Sills (PS) So the practice squad call-ups were just to get a couple guys a game check. — Gabriel Scoreboard watching in New England (12:28 p.m.): The Chargers are going to take a 20-7 lead into halftime against the Patriots. If L.A. wins that, Denver can kiss the No. 5 seed goodbye. — Schubert Weather (12:14 p.m.): It is cloudy, but not raining in Cincinnati. There is a chance that the rain won’t come until after the game. And temperatures are fine … mid 40s. — Renck Scouting report (10 a.m.): Check out how the Broncos match up with the Bengals in Ryan McFadden’s scouting report. Game predictions Parker Gabriel, beat writer: Bengals 24, Broncos 20 Denver’s first chance to clinch a postseason spot went begging in Los Angeles. Now its second comes against a desperate, high-powered offense on the road. That’s tough duty. Can Sean Payton’s team win in Cincinnati? Sure. Will it? Not without playing perhaps its most complete game of the season. Ryan McFadden, beat writer: Bengals 28, Broncos 27 The Bengals have had their fair share of struggles. However, Joe Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase have been playing at a high level while Denver’s defense has been inconsistent in recent weeks. This game should come down to the wire, but Nix and company won’t be able to keep up with Cincinnati in the end. Troy Renck, columnist: Broncos 30, Bengals 29 The reverse lock theory is a baseball axiom where you pick the team that has no business winning based on the matchup. The Broncos have defied expectations this season and played their best when people expect the least of them. Bo Nix will throw for 300 yards and Pat Surtain II will make a late play in coverage to secure the upset and Denver’s first playoff berth since 2015. Sean Keeler, columnist: Broncos 28, Bengals 26 Joe Burrow’s so hot right now, he just bought all of his offensive linemen authentic Japanese katanas. But that sword cuts both ways, my friend, as the Bengals are 0-7 this season against teams with a winning record. Riley Moss could be a massive boost — but it’s up to Bo Nix and this offense to score 28 or more, on the road, to become the Grinch that steals Cincy’s playoff hopes. Broncos-Bengals NFL Week 17: Must-reads Broncos’ inside-out build has worked so far, but playoff hopes ride on leaning in further: “It always comes down to blocking” Related Articles Denver Broncos | Broncos’ inside-out build has worked so far, but playoff hopes ride on leaning in further: “It always comes down to blocking” Denver Broncos | Renck & File: Sean Payton as Santa Claus? Broncos coach will be in his bag vs. Bengals Denver Broncos | Broncos Journal: Jim Leonhard on Denver’s talented young cornerbacks: “They’re only scratching the surface” Denver Broncos | NFL Picks: Lamar Jackson should win his third MVP. There’s no need to think twice about it Denver Broncos | Broncos scouting report: How Denver matches up with Bengals and predictions This is what the Broncos are built to do. It’s what head coach Sean Payton set out to forge from the day he took the job two years ago. And now comes a critical juncture at which Denver will put its eight-year playoff drought on the line and its inside-out building project to the test against a Cincinnati team that’s got real problems on both lines but terrific perimeter talent. “That’s what this group has prepared for,” Meinerz told The Denver Post. “It’s what we’ve built on from Day 1 when this staff came in is being ready for the big moments. We talk about the moment of truth all the time and that’s these type of games. That’s these type of two-minute drills. That’s these type of end-of-game, end-of-half scenarios that we’ve been training for for two years now at this point.” Read Parker Gabriel’s full story. Broncos’ Pat Surtain II vs. Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase provides must-watch theater: “Both those guys, man, they’re something” There’s good-on-good in the NFL. Then there’s Pat Surtain II vs. Ja’Marr Chase. The Denver cornerback and Cincinnati wide receiver could see each other often Saturday afternoon when their teams collide in a game with major playoff implications. Each has authored a dominant start to his professional career. And each is putting together his most dominant work yet this fall. Read Parker Gabriel’s full story. Renck: Get to 10 requires gifts from 10. Broncos’ Bo Nix primed to deliver vs. Bengals. Merry Nixmas. And Happy New Year? Bo Nix and the Broncos have exceeded expectations, posting their first winning season since 2016. But the joy they have brought Broncos Country also makes them prisoners of their success. We are a society defined by instant gratification. Puzzles and government bonds were not under the tree Wednesday. More like drones and Teenage Mutant Ninja Mayhem Pizzafire Delivery Vans. Read Troy Renck’s column. Want more Broncos news? Sign up for the Broncos Insider to get all our NFL analysis.