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Cincinnati Bengals vs. Denver Broncos: Game Preview and Prediction

By Eric Robinson

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Dec 6, 2015; San Diego, CA, USA; Denver Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller (58) and cornerback Aqib Talib (21) celebrate after a defensive stop during the fourth quarter against the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports

For the Denver Broncos, there is plenty on the line the next two weeks of the season that could determine home-field advantage and as well as playoff seeding. Ironically, the same could be said for the Bengals as well. The loser of this key, late season Monday night showdown could be playing a wild card game and with both teams looking at key injuries, an opening wild card playoff game is not in the plans of either team. Let’s preview this vital AFC battle.

Why Cincinnati May Win

Prior to the impactful injury of QB Andy Dalton, the Bengals were riding high and one of the most balanced teams in the league. Now the team will look to back up QB AJ McCarron to guide them through the end of the regular season as well as the playoffs. McCarron passed 192 yards and 1 touchdown last week against San Francisco but now he has a big test ahead of him with the #1 overall defense in the NFL.

Jan 4, 2015; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Cincinnati Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis before the 2014 AFC Wild Card playoff football game against the Indianapolis Colts at Lucas Oil Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports

will lean heavily on his backfield mates in RBs Jeremy Hill and Gio Bernard and although both have been lackluster for the most part this season, the duo can use a standout game especially this close to the playoffs, to get their confidence going. Even though their breakout tight end Tyler Eifert is out for this key game, the trio of AJ Green, Mohamed Sanu, and Marvin Jones will be relied on to make some plays against the elite secondary of Denver. An offense that is second overall is yards per pass play is going to need to put the ball in the air.

While the defense does have some impactful linebackers in Rey Maualuga, Vontaze Burfict, and Vincent Rey, the talented unit is ninth overall in total defense but they are also seventh in takeaways, including third in the league in interceptions per game. Not to be undervalued is the impact of DE Carlos Dunlap (10.5 sacks) and DT Geno Atkins (10). If there was a flaw for the Broncos, is their offensive line being up-and-down all season which is worth keeping an eye on.

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    • Why Denver May Win

    While the storylines pertaining the Denver Broncos have been related to the offense in particular the quarterback position, the Denver Broncos have, in my opinion, quietly housed an elite, Super Bowl caliber defense. First in yards allowed (279.9), fourth in points allowed (18.5), fourth in opponent third down conversion (33.3%), seventh in takeaways per game (1.8) and the list goes on and on.

    LBs Brandon Marshall and Danny Trevathan have put together stellar seasons, enough to earn a Pro Bowl selection for Marshall. Denver also has four players with at least 5.5 sacks (DE Malik Jackson, OLBs Von Miller, Demarcus Ware, Shaq Barrett) and another four sacks from rookie Edge rusher Shane Ray.

    Longtime backup QB Brock Osweiler (1,436 passing yards, eight TDs and four INTs) has filled in for Peyton Manning plus more. To the point where it seems Osweiler may have taken the reigns from Manning and may now be the starter from here on out. What has helped him is a top-notch WR duo in Demaryius Thomas and Emmanuel Sanders. The stats may not show a dangerous offense but in games against Kansas City, New England, Green Bay, the offense was able to put up points with no trouble at times against quality opponents.

    Who Will Win

    The Broncos are currently on a two game losing streak and this game against Cincinnati has so much on the line. The absence of Dalton may be enough to prevent Cincy from stealing a late season road victory. Notice I said maybe. What we saw in the recent loss to Oakland is that a defense able to get after the quarterback can truly be a hurdle for Denver. Which is exactly what the Bengals are capable of. If Denver can keep Osweiler clean, Denver will walk away with a defensive, scrappy win. If not, don’t count out the Bengals.

    Broncos 24 – Bengals 20

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