Broncos vs Bengals Prediction: A Game With Major Playoff Implications (Dec 28)

The Denver Broncos (9-6) visit the Cincinnati Bengals (7-8) with a simple playoff scenario for Denver and a more complicated one for Cincinnati. Our Broncos vs Bengals prediction is for favored Cincinnati to cover the 3.5-point spread.

Head-to-head, Denver leads with a record of 22-11.

Offshore Odds: Cincinnati is a 3.5-Point Favorite at Home

A Win or Tie and Denver is in the Playoffs

Despite their Week 16 loss to the Los Angeles Chargers, the Broncos are still in a very good position to make the playoffs. All they need to do is win or tie.

Before the loss to LA, Denver had won four straight. They are vulnerable to the passing game. That is primarily how Cincinnati and quarterback Joe Burrow move the ball. The Bengals’ defense has been among the worst in the NFL all season, opening the door for Broncos quarterback Bo Nix to try and match Burrow on the scoreboard.

Denver enters Week 17 reasonably healthy. Running back Jaleel McLaughlin has been dealing with a quad issue and missed the Chargers game. Should they lose to Cincinnati, the Broncos’ last game of the season is against Kansas City. Normally, they would be heavy underdogs, but the Chiefs have clinched the top seed in the AFC and it is unlikely their stars will play long if they play at all.

The Bengals Need Wins and Some Outside Help

Cincinnati has won three straight. They have a realistic path to the playoffs and are the team no one wants to play given their offensive firepower.

If the Bengals win their final two games, they need Indianapolis and Miami to lose one of their two final games and for Denver to lose that final game against Kansas City.

It’s certainly a tall order, particularly when analyzing the schedule and circumstances.

If the Bengals don’t make the playoffs, it won’t be because Burrow came up short. He’s putting up numbers comparable to an in-his-prime Dan Marino.

Cincinnati is first in passing yards per game because of Burrow and Ja’Marr Chase. They’re sixth in points scored and 28th in points allowed per game. This is how a team with perhaps the best quarterback in the league is 7-8 and fighting for a playoff spot.

The Bengals are like a boxer who’s easy to hit but has such a powerful punch that it’s better to avoid him. The AFC contenders are hoping they get bounced.

Broncos vs Bengals Prediction: Cincinnati Keeps Its Hopes Alive

As good as Denver’s defense has been for much of the season, it has been leaky since Week 13 when Cleveland put up 552 yards of total offense against them. Though the Broncos won that game, it’s hard to see them holding Burrow down if they couldn’t stop Jameis Winston.

Cincinnati will cover the 3.5-point spread.

Tags:
• Regular Season (NFL)