CINCINNATI, Sept. 7 (UPI) -- Clinton Portis ran for 120 yards and a pair of touchdowns Sunday afternoon as Denver buried Cincinnati, 30-10, in the NFL season opener for both teams.
The Broncos were able to overcome three interceptions by quarterback Jake Plummer.
Portis carried 13 times for 90 yards and scored twice in the first half as Denver (1-0) built a 20-3 lead and never was threatened. Plummer, who signed a seven-year, $40 million deal with Denver to replace Brian Griese, completed 12-of-25 passes for 115 yards.
Denver limited star Cincinnati running back Corey Dillon to 34 yards on 14 carries and beat the Bengals (0-1) for the ninth time in the last 10 meetings. Denver wide receivers Rod Smith and Ashley Lelie combined for more yards rushing than Dillon, producing 35 yards on five carries on end-arounds.
Cincinnati Coach Marvin Lewis took over a team that has not made the playoffs since 1990, was an abysmal 19-61 over the last five years, and wasn't much better on Sunday.
