Overview

• Kickoff is set for Monday, Sept. 29 at 6:15 p.m. MT at Empower Field, with the game airing on ABC and ESPN.
• Sean Payton said the Broncos have yet to establish an offensive identity and told Bo Nix to “keep firing” on deep shots, a directive Nix embraced.
• Denver’s defense leads the NFL with 12 sacks through three games, positioning Pat Surtain II and Co. to pressure Cincinnati in prime time.
• With Joe Burrow out due to a toe injury, Jake Browning starts for the Bengals after a five-interception stretch that included a 48-10 loss to Minnesota.
• At 1-2 after two last-second defeats, Denver is favored by about 7.5 points, and some analysts frame the matchup as a pivotal opportunity to avoid a 1-3 start.