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NFL Week Three Preview: Denver Broncos vs. Cincinnati Bengals

By Eric Robinson

Sep 11, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) runs after a catch against the New York Jets in the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Bengals defeated the Jets 23-22. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 11, 2016; East Rutherford, NJ, USA; Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver A.J. Green (18) runs after a catch against the New York Jets in the second half at MetLife Stadium. The Bengals defeated the Jets 23-22. Mandatory Credit: William Hauser-USA TODAY Sports /
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Dec 28, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) runs for a thirty nine yard touchdown as Cincinnati Bengals middle linebacker Rey Maualuga (58) falls to the turf in the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 20-17 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 28, 2015; Denver, CO, USA; Denver Broncos running back C.J. Anderson (22) runs for a thirty nine yard touchdown as Cincinnati Bengals middle linebacker Rey Maualuga (58) falls to the turf in the fourth quarter at Sports Authority Field at Mile High. The Broncos defeated the Cincinnati Bengals 20-17 in overtime. Mandatory Credit: Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports /

Prediction 

The Bengals kick off their home opener in 2016 with the defending Super Bowl champs and this will not be easy by any stretch of the imagination. The Broncos field arguably the best defense in the NFL and possess arguably the best defensive player in the NFL today in Von Miller.

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Watchful eyes will be on the matchup of Ogbuehi vs Miller and the young offensive tackle has his work cut out for him.

While the Bengals have a fairly solid defense that can be stingy at times, the run defense is ranked dead last in the NFL and allows 138 yards per game on the ground. So that aspect tips heavily in favor of the Broncos. In recent seasons, these type of games always saw a scrappy Bengals team that made it tough for their opponent. Cincinnati defeated Seattle and Kansas City at home in 2015 and lost by just a field goal in Denver late in the season last year. They also defeated the Broncos at home in 2014 so Cincinnati are capable of holding their own.

Key matchup is the front seven for Denver vs Cincinnati’s offensive line. If the Bengals can hold the fort and protect Dalton, things can get interesting. Cincinnati must get the run game off the ground behind Bernard and Jeremy Hill, which will keep the pass rush for Denver tamed.

An aggressive contest is probably on the menu and with the Bengals run defense looking extremely bad at the moment, a defensive game will eventually be won by the Broncos behind Anderson and rookie running back Devontae Booker taking over the game late.

Prediction: Broncos, 21-16

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