Denver holds a 31-20 advantage with 3:31 remaining after capitalizing on good field position. The drive culminated in a 4-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Peyton Manning to wide receiver Eric Decker.
The Broncos defense found itself in a favorable down-and-distance situation after linebacker Von Miller drew a holding penalty that made it 3rd-and-25. Needing a big play, Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton looked deep for wide receiver A.J. Green, but was picked off by cornerback Champ Bailey.
The pick is Bailey’s first of the season and 33rd as a Bronco, tying him for fifth all-time in franchise history. For his career, Bailey has 51, which is third-most in the NFL since he entered the league in 1999.
Taking over in Bengals territory at the 46-yard line, the Broncos moved the chains on third-and-5 when Manning found Brandon Stokley, who turned the short pass into a 15-yard completion.
Facing another third down after two runs by running back Willis McGahee, the Broncos gave it to McGahee again, with McGahee bursting up the middle for 12 yards, giving Denver first-and-goal from the Cincinnati 5-yard line. That made Denver 9-for-14 (64 percent) on third downs.
Two plays later, Manning found Decker in the corner of the end zone, who made the catch despite defensive pass interference against the Bengals.
It marks Manning’s fifth consecutive game with three touchdown passes.
Tags: Cincinnati Bengals, Gameday Coverage, Week 9