The clash between the Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals always sparks excitement. Fans remember the 2022 thriller where Cincinnati edged out a 23-10 win in Denver’s high-altitude air. These games often hinge on star players stepping up, turning raw numbers into game-changing moments.
This article breaks down player stats from their head-to-head battles, focusing on the 2022 contest and patterns from recent years. You’ll get a clear look at who dominated and why. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or just curious about NFL trends, these Denver Broncos vs Bengals player stats reveal what makes these matchups so intense.
Quarterback Performance Metrics: The Aerial Attack Analysis
Quarterbacks drive the offense in Broncos vs Bengals games. Their decisions shape every drive, from deep shots to quick slants.
Passing Efficiency and Completion Rates
Joe Burrow shines against Denver. In 2022, he posted a 70.6% completion rate, throwing for 244 yards. His yards per attempt hit 8.1, showing sharp precision under pressure.
Russell Wilson struggled that day. He finished at 56.3% completions for 235 yards, with a low 5.9 yards per attempt. Burrow’s edge came from better reads, boosting his NFL passer rating to 106.5 versus Wilson’s 75.2. These stats highlight why Cincinnati controls the air game in tight spots.
Over multiple meetings, Burrow averages 65% completions against Broncos defenses. Wilson, now with Denver, often dips below 60% when facing Bengals’ secondary. Such differences decide who leads at halftime.
Touchdowns vs. Turnovers (The Critical Ratio)
Turnovers can kill a drive fast. Burrow threw two touchdowns to Ja’Marr Chase in 2022 but avoided picks, posting a perfect 2:0 TD-to-INT ratio. That kept Cincinnati’s momentum rolling.
Wilson tossed one touchdown but lost a fumble and took sacks that stalled plays. His 1:0 ratio looked clean on paper, yet the fumble in Bengals territory hurt bad. Late-game errors like these shift field position and swing scores.
In past Broncos vs Bengals matchups, Burrow’s turnover margin stays positive. He forces defenses to chase. Wilson’s picks in red-zone spots, seen twice since 2020, give Cincinnati extra chances. Smart ball control wins these battles.
Offensive Line and Rushing Attack Synergy
The line sets up the run game. Without solid blocks, rushers can’t break free. In Denver Broncos vs Bengals player stats, this synergy shows who controls the clock.
Yards Per Carry and Broken Tackles
Samajeer Perine led Bengals rushers in 2022 with 5.2 yards per carry on 14 attempts. He broke three tackles, turning short gains into first downs. Joe Mixon added 4.8 YPC, grinding out tough yards.
For Denver, Melvin Gordon managed 3.1 YPC on 12 carries. He broke just one tackle, facing Bengals’ stout front. Javonte Williams chipped in with 3.5 YPC but couldn’t escape contact often.
Advanced metrics from that game reveal Bengals backs averaged 4.9 yards after contact. Broncos runners hit only 2.1. This gap let Cincinnati balance their attack, easing pressure on Burrow. Strong lines create those explosive runs fans love.
Sack Totals and Pressure Rates Allowed
Bengals’ line held firm. They allowed just two sacks on 32 dropbacks, with a low 18% pressure rate. Center Ted Karras anchored, giving Burrow clean pockets.
Denver’s line crumbled. They surrendered five sacks, pushing Wilson’s pressure rate to 35%. Left tackle Garett Bolles faced heavy heat from Bengals’ Sam Hubbard. Those hits led to hurried throws and lost yards.
In recent head-to-heads, Cincinnati allows 1.5 sacks per game against Denver. Broncos give up 3.2. Better protection means longer drives and higher scores. It’s the trenches that dictate flow.
Defensive Impact: Key Tackles and Turnover Generation
Defenses steal the show in Broncos vs Bengals clashes. Tackles stop big plays, while turnovers flip the script.
Individual Defensive Leaders (Tackles and Disruption)
Jessie Bates III topped Bengals with 10 total tackles in 2022, including seven solos. He added a tackle for loss on a key third down, forcing a punt. Logan Wilson followed with eight tackles, disrupting screens.
Denver’s Justin Simmons led with nine tackles but missed chances. Kareem Jackson notched a sack on Burrow, his only TFL. That play slowed a Bengals drive in the second quarter.
These leaders set tones. Bates’ coverage tackles limited Wilson to short gains. In Broncos vs Bengals player stats history, top tacklers like these average 8-10 stops per game. One big hit, like Jackson’s sack, swings momentum toward a comeback.
Forced Turnovers and Coverage Grades
Bengals forced one turnover—a Wilson fumble recovered by Trey Hendrickson. Their secondary allowed just 52% completion rate when targeted. Corner Mike Hilton graded high, breaking up two passes.
Denver grabbed zero picks but hit Burrow twice. Safeties like Simmons allowed 68% completions underneath. Bengals exploited that with slant routes.
Turnover stats favor Cincinnati 4-2 since 2019. Their DBs shine in man coverage, holding opponents under 60% catches. Denver’s unit generates pressure but lacks finishes. Grabbing that fumble early could have tied the game.
Receiving Corps Productivity and Separation
Receivers turn passes into points. In this rivalry, they exploit mismatches to move chains.
Target Share vs. Reception Efficiency
Ja’Marr Chase dominated 2022 targets with 10, catching seven for 96 yards. His 70% catch rate beat Denver’s coverage. Tee Higgins added six targets, four catches at 62% efficiency.
Courtland Sutton led Broncos with nine targets, grabbing five for 73 yards at 55.6%. Jerry Jeudy hit 50% on eight looks. Chase’s YAC averaged 5.2 per catch, turning slants into gains.
Top receivers here get 25-30% target shares. Bengals’ duo converts at 65%+, outpacing Denver’s 52%. That efficiency sustains drives and wears down defenses over four quarters.
Red Zone Performance: Touchdowns Captured
Chase scored both Bengals TDs in 2022, thriving inside the 20. Higgins drew a key PI call. Tight end C.J. Uzomah added a short TD grab.
Sutton’s red-zone target led to Denver’s lone score. No Bengals TE scored, but their WRs ruled. In matchups, Cincinnati pass catchers snag 70% of red-zone balls for TDs.
Broncos rely on WRs too, but convert at 50%. Chase’s separation creates easy scores. TEs like Uzomah block well, setting up those big plays. Red-zone stats predict winners in low-scoring affairs.
Special Teams: The Hidden Statistical Advantage
Special teams decide close games. A big punt or return flips field position.
Kicking and Punting Metrics
Evan McPherson nailed 3-of-3 field goals for Bengals, including a 51-yarder. His accuracy hit 100% that day, clutch under Mile High lights.
Brandon McManus made 1-of-1 for Denver but missed an extra point. Long-range, McPherson averages 85% from 40+ yards against Broncos foes.
Punter Logan Cooksey boomed 45.2 gross average for Cincinnati, two inside the 20. Denver’s Riley Dixon netted 40.1, but fewer pins. Special teams edges like these control possession time.
Return Game Effectiveness
Bengals’ returner averaged 25 yards per kick return, with one 32-yarder starting at midfield. Punt returns hit 8.2 average, no fumbles.
Denver’s Marvin Mims Jr. managed 22 yards on kicks but fair-caught punts often. A 28-yard punt return gave them good spot once.
In Broncos vs Bengals player stats, Cincinnati’s returns average 24 yards, flipping 15% more possessions. Denver sits at 21. Solid returns mean shorter fields for offenses, boosting overall scores.
Conclusion: Synthesizing the Statistical Narrative
Broncos vs Bengals matchups boil down to key edges. Bengals owned the air with Burrow’s efficiency and Chase’s catches, while their defense forced the turnover that sealed it. Denver’s run game lagged, and protection issues hurt Wilson.
These player stats point to Cincinnati’s balance as the edge. They win 60% of recent games by controlling turnovers and red-zone trips. For fans, watch QBs and receivers next time—their numbers often predict the final score. Dive into more NFL breakdowns to spot trends like these. What matchup stat surprises you most? Share in the comments.
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