The Denver Broncos (7-7) lost to the Cincinnati Bengals (8-6) 15-10 at home in Week 15 of the 2021 NFL season on Sunday afternoon.
The first half featured good defenses and woeful offenses, with 11 total first downs and nine combined punts and four field goal attempts.
Broncos kicker Brandon McManus missed a 51-yard field goal attempt with nine seconds remaining until halftime and the Bengals then got within range for kicker Evan McPherson to convert a 58-yard field goal to take a 6-3 lead into halftime.
In the second half, Cincinnati added a field goal to make it 9-3.
Denver quarterback Teddy Bridgewater later suffered a head injury and was carted off the field to be taken to a local hospital for further examination.
Broncos quarterback Drew Lock then stepped in for Bridgewater and threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to wide receiver Tim Patrick to give Denver a 10-9 lead.
Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow answered that score with a touchdown pass of his own, connecting with wide receiver Tyler Boyd on a 56-yard score that give Cincinnati a 15-10 lead (their two-point conversion attempt failed).
The Broncos were driving deep into Bengals territory on their ensuring drive before Lock lost a fumble, halting a promising drive at Cincy’s nine-yard line.
Later in the fourth quarter, Denver’s last chance came with 1:04 remaining in the game when the team took took over at its own 25-yard line. The Broncos went on to turn the ball over on downs, sealing a loss.
Up next for Denver is a road game against the Las Vegas Raiders.
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