Pro Sports

Siemian's 4 TD passes lead Broncos over Bengals 29-17

Posted September 25, 2016 7:00 am

By JOE KAY

Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores) The Associated Press

CINCINNATI (AP) - Trevor Siemian threw a career-high four touchdown passes in his first road start and was nearly perfect under fourth-quarter pressure on Sunday, rallying the Denver Broncos to a 29-17 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals.

The defending Super Bowl champions are 3-0 under Siemian, who took over after Peyton Manning retired and Brock Osweiler went to Houston. He completed 11 of 12 passes while rallying the Broncos to a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns.

The previous Bronco to throw for four touchdowns was Manning in 2014 against the Dolphins. Siemian went 23 of 35 for 312 yards and a passer rating of 132.1.

Siemian had a 41-yard touchdown pass to Emmanuel Sanders to get it started, and stood in under a heavy rush and connected with Demaryius Thomas on a 55-yard score with 4:23 left to clinch it. Sanders finished with nine catches for 117 yards.

The Bengals got their dormant running game going, but were still out of sync as they fell to 1-2 for the first time in five years. Jeremy Hill ran for a pair of touchdowns and 97 yards - huge strides for Cincinnati's pass-heavy offense - but Andy Dalton couldn't do much after the Bengals fell behind.

INJURIES

Broncos safety T.J. Ward hurt his neck late in the first quarter but returned. The Broncos were already missing safety Justin Simmons. Bengals kicker Mike Nugent suffered a shoulder injury while helping to make a tackle during a kickoff return in the second quarter but later made a field goal.

UP AND RUNNING

After two games of getting virtually nothing out of their running game, the Bengals made it a point of emphasis and got immediate results. Hill, who had a total of 53 yards in the first two games, broke off a 50-yard run on Cincinnati's opening possession - his longest run since 2014. He capped the drive with a 3-yard TD run, giving the Bengals a season high in rushing after one series. Denver clamped down the rest of the way.

NOT-SO-SWEET HOME

The Bengals are 6-4 in their past nine games at Paul Brown Stadium, including a first-round playoff loss to Pittsburgh.

ANTHEM

Ward raised his right fist during the anthem, the first time he's made such a gesture. Brandon Marshall again went to his knee behind the front line of players.

LINE CHANGE

The Broncos switched their offensive line, with Ty Sambrailo starting at right tackle in place of Donald Stephenson, who has a strained calf. Sambrailo got called for holding late in the first half, but Siemian had enough time for his big game. He was sacked only twice.

AGGIE VS AGGIE

Bengals right tackle Cedric Ogbuehi got to block Von Miller, who was a teammate at Texas A&M for one season. In his third NFL start, Ogbuehi - a first-round pick last season - got caught holding the Super Bowl MVP once.

UP NEXT

The Broncos play at Tampa Bay next Sunday.

The Bengals have a quick turnaround, getting ready to host the Dolphins on Thursday night.

___

Online: AP NFL website: www.pro32.ap.org and AP NFL Twitter feed: www.twitter.com/AP_NFL

Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill (32) celebrates with running back Giovani Bernard (25) after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores) The Associated Press

Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders (10) runs in for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Frank Victores) The Associated Press

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton (14) runs the ball during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers) The Associated Press

Cincinnati Bengals running back Jeremy Hill (32) celebrates with quarterback Andy Dalton (14) after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers) The Associated Press

Denver Broncos wide receiver Emmanuel Sanders celebrates after scoring a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cincinnati Bengals, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers) The Associated Press

Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Andy Dalton throws during the second half of an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 25, 2016, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Gary Landers) The Associated Press

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