NFL Week 4 featured a dramatic Monday Night Football doubleheader that offered a definitive contrast between suffocating defense and a much-needed offensive resurgence. The Denver Broncos delivered a stunning defensive performance, thoroughly dismantling the Cincinnati Bengals in a lopsided affair that raised serious questions about the Bengals’ season without their star quarterback. In the night’s other contest, the Miami Dolphins secured their first victory of the season by capitalizing on a turnover-plagued outing by the winless New York Jets. Both games provided clarity for the winning teams—Denver’s defense is championship caliber, and Miami’s offense, even with significant early-season injuries, can still generate big plays when its stars perform.
Broncos’ Defense Humiliates Bengals in Denver Rout
The Denver Broncos delivered a statement performance in Week 4, dominating the Cincinnati Bengals to the tune of a 28-3 victory. The highly anticipated primetime matchup quickly devolved into a defensive showcase for Denver, who capitalized on a struggling Bengals offense playing without injured quarterback Joe Burrow. The key to the contest was the total shutdown enacted by the Broncos’ defense.
Cincinnati managed only a field goal on their opening drive and failed to score another point for the rest of the game. Denver restricted the Bengals to under 160 total yards for the entire game, a shocking statistic for a team normally known for its offensive firepower. Crucially, the Bengals were flagged for 11 penalties, costing them 65 yards and consistently stalling their few promising drives. The outcome was a comprehensive beatdown that showcased the strength of Denver’s defense and vaulted the Broncos’ record to 2-2.
Bo Nix Shines as Denver’s Offense Finds Its Rhythm
While the defense earned the headlines for the shutout, the Broncos’ offense, led by quarterback Bo Nix, also delivered a commanding performance that proved the team can win decisively. Nix had a strong outing, finishing with 326 passing yards and contributing three total touchdowns (two through the air, one rushing). The rookie quarterback showed poise and playmaking ability, distributing the ball effectively and avoiding critical mistakes.
The Broncos’ running game was equally effective, controlling the clock and physically imposing their will on the Bengals’ defensive line. Running back J.K. Dobbins rushed for over 100 yards, with rookie RJ Harvey adding another 58 yards on the ground. The balanced attack enabled Denver to amass over 500 yards of total offense, dominating the line of scrimmage and ensuring that the Bengals never had a chance to mount a comeback. The complete performance signaled that the Broncos are hitting their stride under head coach Sean Payton.
Dolphins Break Through Against Turnovers
In the earlier Monday Night game, the Miami Dolphins finally secured their first victory of the 2025 season with a 27-21 win over the still-winless New York Jets. The game was far less competitive than the final score suggested, as the Dolphins leveraged a crucial early defensive play to swing the momentum permanently.
The turning point came on the Jets’ first promising drive, which stalled deep in Dolphins territory when the Miami defense forced and recovered a fumble from running back Braylan Allen. Miami immediately answered with a long, momentum-changing 15-play, 96-yard touchdown drive. The Jets, struggling throughout the contest, were crippled by a staggering 13 penalties for 101 yards and lost three fumbles in total. The sloppiness allowed the Dolphins to control the narrative of the game, even if their own offense was inconsistent at times.
Waller and Achane Spark Miami’s Attack
Despite the Dolphins being without their star wide receiver, they found a way to generate explosive plays thanks to two key offensive performers. Veteran tight end Darren Waller, returning to the field after a sabbatical, was the star of the show, catching two touchdown passes and immediately providing the kind of high-level red-zone threat the team needed. His first score capped the long 96-yard drive that followed the Jets’ turnover, giving Miami a decisive 10-0 lead.
Rookie running back De’Von Achane continued to demonstrate his elite speed, finding the end zone himself and showing flashes of the game-breaking ability that can elevate the entire offense. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa managed the game effectively, but the key to Miami’s success was their ability to capitalize on the Jets’ errors. While the Dolphins earned a much-needed win to move to 1-3, they face significant questions about their offense moving forward as they contend with star-player injuries.
