The Denver Broncos rolled the Cincinnati Bengals, winning 28-3 in Week 4. Many players made an impact, but running back J.K. Dobbins took center stage for snapping not one but two droughts on the national stage and garnering attention from the NFL.
Signed during the 2025 offseason in free agency after months of mutual interest, Dobbins has been a featured part of the Broncos’ offense.
That continued against the Bengals, as the Broncos moved to 2-2 on the season.
J.K. Dobbins Snaps Droughts for Sean Payton, Broncos
GettyJ.K. Dobbins #27 of the Denver Broncos reacts after the game against the Cincinnati Bengals.
Dobbins was a second-round pick by the Baltimore Ravens in 2020, and he spent the 2024 season with the Los Angeles Chargers. Dobbins has looked revitalized with the Broncos through the first four weeks of the season.
He entered Week 4 with 222 yards and 3 touchdowns on 41 carries and another 14 yards on four receptions.
He tallied 101 yards and 16 carries against the Bengals.
“J.K. Dobbins is the first 100-yard rusher for the @Broncos in the last 38 games,” the NFL posted on X on September 29 during the veteran’s latest standout showing in Week 4 against the Bengals.
“There it is, folks,” The Denver Post’s Luca Evans posted on X on September 29. “J.K. Dobbins has the first 100-yard game by a #Broncos rusher in the Sean Payton era.”
Dobbins is the first Broncos running back with at least 100 rushing yards in a single game since Latavius Murray in Week 18 of the 2022 season. Moreover, he was not the only Broncos runner to shine on the primetime stage.
Payton said he was unaware of the drought but that it was “good” to have a 100-yard rusher.
Broncos Get RJ Harvey Going
GettyRJ Harvey #12 of the Denver Broncos carries the ball against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Broncos also found ways to get rookie second-round pick RJ Harvey going, even with Dobbins’ big night.
Harvey finished the game with 14 carries for 58 yards and another 40 yards and 1 TD on 4 receptions. It was a strong representation of the “Joker” role Harvey is hoping to fulfill for the Broncos.
📺: ABC
Dobbins saw one target, which he caught for 4 yards.
Still, it could be an indication that Harvey’s role in the offense will grow, especially as a pass-catching threat out of the backfield. Payton commended both Harvey and Dobbins for running well during the contest.
Broncos Play Complementary Football
GettyBo Nix #10 of the Denver Broncos throws a pass against the Cincinnati Bengals.
The Broncos entered this contest misfiring on several cylinders in critical phases, and the early going offered more causes for concern. While Dobbins and Harvey were positives for the Broncos, quarterback Bo Nix had some issues that proved costly.
Most notably, Nix had a red zone interception while the Broncos led 14-3 in the second quarter.
CINvsDEN on ABC Stream on @NFLPlus and ESPN App
“Bo Nix should have just ran it in. But the last thing he can do is throw an INT,” DNVR Sports’ Zac Stevens posted on X in reaction to the pick. “An incompletion is at least a turnover on downs and the Bengals get the ball at the 2.
“An INT in the end zone gives the Bengals the ball at the 20.”
In the end, Nix completed 69% of his passes for 326 yards, 2 TDs, and 1 INT. Most importantly, the Broncos got the win, thanks in no small part to the efforts of Dobbins and Harvey.
Broncos RB J.K. Dobbins Draws League’s Attention During ‘Monday Night Football’