NFL Predictions: Week 3 Picks and Hot Takes
By Joe Wedra
Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals, 1:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, CBS
For many reasons, it’s hard to not look at this one as the game of the week. Two teams, two very legitimate AFC contenders.
Last week might’ve been a tough loss for Cincinnati to swallow, but it shouldn’t affect how they’re viewed across the NFL landscape. The game against Pittsburgh was a classic AFC North fight where one team was going to have to lose. The Bengals are a legitimate playoff contender, and that didn’t change on Sunday. What’s slightly concerning, still, is the offense’s ability to be as lethal as they’ve been in the regular season in years past. The Steelers were able to effectively shut down A.J. Green, seeming to throw off the entirety of the rhythm on offense. Jeremy Hill hasn’t gotten opportunities to be a factor out of the backfield, while the loss of Marvin Jones seriously depletes the arsenal for Andy Dalton. In this one, you have to be concerned with the matchup against a stout Denver defense.
The Broncos have every opportunity to win here and surprise some folks, as they’re still viewed as an underwhelming threat in the AFC. Have we forgotten how good this roster is? Trevor Siemien isn’t a step down from Peyton Manning, Gary Kubiak is a phenomenal head coach, and the defensive unit remains among the top squads in the league. Yet still, Denver is doubted.
Don’t be fooled by this Broncos team – they haven’t taken a massive hit as a team since February. Perfection might not be the word you’d use, but things are starting to come together. A win against the Bengals on the road would prove that Siemien is poised to lead Denver to another deep playoff push.
Broncos travel to Cincy and knock off Bengals, 26-23.