NFLGame PreviewsCIN VS DEN Preview Week4 season 30-SEP-2025

Game Preview of Cincinnati Bengals @ Denver Broncos. Week 4 of 2025 NFL Season

CIN logo

CIN

2-1-0
@
30SEP25
08:15pm
DEN logo

DEN

1-2-0
Empower Field at Mile High

Game Preview

The Bengals visit the Broncos at Empower Field at Mile High on September 30. Kickoff is 1:00 PM ET. Cincinnati plays without Joe Burrow, so Jake Browning starts again.

 

Denver enters as a clear favorite. The Broncos’ defense rushes the passer well and clamps down in the red zone. Their offense has leaned on the run and short throws while the passing game searches for rhythm.

 

Cincinnati still has stars on the outside, but the traits point to issues up front. The Bengals allow sacks at a high rate, and several linemen are hurt. That is a tough mix in altitude against a front that finishes pressures.

 

Expect Denver to test the Bengals with steady runs and play-action. Cincinnati needs quick answers, ball security, and a few explosive plays to keep pace.

Current Season Form

CIN logo

CIN

Away
Record:2-1-0
ATS:1-2-0
O/U:2-1-0
DEN logo

DEN

Home
Record:1-2-0
ATS:0-3-0
O/U:1-2-0

Head-to-Head Summary

Record:
3-2Winner logo
ATS:3-2-0
O/U:2-3-0

Past Results

DateOpponentResultATSO/U
2025-09-21@ LACL 20-23L 2.5u45.5
2025-09-14@ INDL 28-29W +-2.5o43.5
2025-09-07vs TENW 20-12W +8.5u42.5
2025-01-12@ BUFL 7-31L 7.5u48.5
2025-01-05vs KCW 38-0W +10.5u40.5
2024-12-28@ CINL 24-30L 3.5o50.5
2024-12-19@ LACL 27-34L 3.0o41.5
2024-12-15vs INDW 31-13W +4.5o43.5
2024-12-02vs CLEW 41-32W +6.5o41.5
2024-11-24@ LVW 29-19W +-6.5o41.5

Key Insights

 

  • Broncos pass rush vs Bengals protection is the headline. DEN generates sacks on 9.2% of snaps (89th percentile; sample 120) while CIN allows sacks on 9.6% (12th; sample 104).

  • Denver’s run defense limits chunk plays at 1.3% explosive runs allowed (92nd; sample 80). Cincinnati’s run game sits near the bottom by explosive rate (percentile 5; sample 60, small but telling).

  • Cincinnati’s defense has trouble on money downs, with a 53.7% third-down stop rate (17th; sample 41). That can extend Denver drives.

  • Red-zone gap is wide: DEN defense allows TDs on only 25.0% of trips (95th; sample 12). CIN defense allows 64.3% (22nd; sample 14).

  • Bengals still flash big-play punch: 33.3% of their big plays have gone for TDs (92nd; sample 9, small sample). One clean shot to Ja’Marr Chase can flip a quarter.

  • Injuries add volatility. Burrow is on IR. Multiple CIN guards are IR/Q, which connects to that poor sack-rate allowed. For DEN, Evan Engram and Marvin Mims are Questionable, which can cap deep-pass and red-zone variety if they sit.

 

Betting Insights

 

  • Anchor spread: Broncos -7.0 (-122). Laying a full seven brings push risk; the juice is heavy but matches the matchup edge up front.

  • Anchor total: 44.5 (Over -110, Under -123). The market leans Under with extra juice; defenses and pace point that way.

  • Team totals: Broncos 26.5 (Over -118, Under -120). CIN’s red-zone TD allowed rate of 64.3% gives DEN finish upside, but note the tight juice both ways.

  • Bengals team total 17.0 (Over -123, Under -116). The number bakes in the QB downgrade and pass-pro concerns.

  • Jake Browning under 224.5 pass yards (-120). DEN’s pressure-to-sack and CIN’s protection make sustained volume fragile.

  • Courtland Sutton Anytime TD (+102). Positive price attached to a red-zone edge against a defense that struggles to get stops.

 

Final Summary

Denver has the cleaner path. Their front wins at the line, their defense is stingy near the goal line, and they don’t take many sacks. That creates a steady script.

Cincinnati needs turnovers or a few deep shots to flip field position. The traits say those pops are possible but not likely on a snap-to-snap basis. The Bengals also carry protection and injury risk that can stall drives.

The pricing reflects that gap. Broncos sit a full touchdown favorite, and the total sits in the mid-40s with the Under juiced. That combination fits a game with more field position and fewer explosives.

As always, size bets to the juice and the variance. Several key players are Questionable, which can swing receiving usage and pace. Avoid overexposure to any single angle until inactives confirm the board.

Statistical Battle Boards

Viewing: DEN Offense vs CIN Defense
Offense team logoOffense
Defense team logoDefense
StatisticOffenseRankDefenseRankAdvantage
Total Points68#1791#7CIN advantage
Total Points Per Game22.7#1730.3#26DEN advantage
Total Touchdowns8#1110#28DEN advantage
Passing Touchdowns5#106#28DEN advantage
Rushing Touchdowns3#103#21DEN advantage
Other Touchdowns0#301#31DEN advantage
Total Kicking Points20#2325#12CIN advantage
Total Two Point Conversions0#320#17CIN advantage
Kick Extra Points8#810#3CIN advantage
Offense team logoOffense
Defense team logoDefense
StatisticOffenseRankDefenseRankAdvantage
Net Passing Yards519#25722#8CIN advantage
Net Passing Yards Per Game173#25241#8CIN advantage
Passer Rating83.4#2187#19CIN advantage
Passing Attempts95#19111#26DEN advantage
Completions61#1871#6CIN advantage
Completion Percentage64.2#1864#12CIN advantage
Passing 1st downs25#2938#28CIN advantage
Passing 1st Down %48.1#3058.5#21CIN advantage
Longest Pass52#940#22DEN advantage
Passing Fumbles Lost1#80#31DEN advantage
Receiving Targets90#21107#6CIN advantage
Receptions61#1871#27DEN advantage
Receiving Yards After Catch301#20435#32DEN advantage
YAC Average4.9#166.1#29DEN advantage
Offense team logoOffense
Defense team logoDefense
StatisticOffenseRankDefenseRankAdvantage
Rushing Yards387#8357#21DEN advantage
Rushing Yards Per Game129#8119#12DEN advantage
Rushing Attempts75#2082#20🏈
Yards Per Rush Attempt5.2#54.4#13DEN advantage
Rushing 1st downs15#2520#19CIN advantage
20+ Yard Rushing Plays3#52#12DEN advantage
Long Rushing50#630#14DEN advantage
Rushing Fumbles3#52#12DEN advantage
Rushing Fumbles Lost0#260#13CIN advantage