Decision making and hidden distance played a big role in the loss to the Bengals

INJURY – C

A dull note for a trip that was anything but. Bo Nix and the Broncos made several outstanding plays and a big drive late in regulation, sending the game into overtime. But in between, Marvin Mims Jr.’s madness was far too ineffective. Compared to the last three possessions of the first half, they only got three first downs as the Bengals gained a huge time advantage. They took the lead twice in overtime, only needing a field goal in both situations. Credit is due: Nix never batted an eyelid in the second half of the biggest NFL game he has ever played in. But Denver needs to find consistency next weekend if it wants to keep playing.

DEFENSE – C+

There isn’t really a good day when the other team scores 30 points, but Vance Joseph’s group gave the Broncos plenty of chances to win this day. They succumbed to the weight of three long drives in the first half but gave up just seven points. They harassed Joe Burrow with seven sacks. Pat Surtain II forced a fumble to Tee Higgins at a critical point in the fourth quarter. And yet Burrow finished the game with 412 yards and three touchdown passes to Higgins, who gave Riley Moss everything he could and more.

SPECIAL TEAMS – D

When the Broncos coaching staff watches film of this game, they will complain about the performance of the punt unit. After a strong start to the season, punter Riley Dixon has faded a bit, and it clearly showed on Saturday. His two punts in overtime went for 40 and 38 yards, respectively. He averaged 41.5 yards per punt on the season, although all four were from the Denver area, meaning none were short by design. Ultimately, these alone did not cost the Broncos their victory on Saturday evening. But they certainly contributed to Cincinnati having consistently good field position, especially late in the game. The Bengals had a starting position of plus-9 (own 34 to own 25) and an average of 37 after punts.

COACHING – D

Sean Payton played for overtime at the end of regulation time. His justification – he liked the dynamic of his team and the fact that a win or a draw secured a playoff ticket – was not unfounded. But with Burrow on the other side and a chance to ruin it, no one would have batted an eyelid if he had tried and missed. The Broncos ended up in the same place anyway. What’s stranger is playing extremely aggressively against the Los Angeles Chargers a week ago, standing by that decision, and then swinging the other way on the road against a far leakier defense and a far more impressive offense. The fact that you like your swing at the moment could just as easily have been the reason for choosing two.