Can Bo Nix and the Denver Broncos (9-6) go into the jungle and get a big win over Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals (7-8)?
In what has already been a stellar rookie season for Nix will get even better if he can lead the Broncos to the playoffs. With a win over the Bengals in Week 18, the Broncos will be in the driver’s seat, and they will need their rookie QB to be at his best to get a win over Burrow and a desperate Bengals team who are on the outside looking in for a playoff spot.
The two-time NFL Rookie of the Week will need to keep pace with Burrow offensively and hope Patrick Surtain II and the Broncos’ defense find ways to keep the Bengals out of the end zone. Otherwise, it will take a shootout, which former NFL offensive lineman and current ESPN analyst Jeff Saturday doesn’t want to see.
“Ain’t nobody trying to watch Bo Nix, a rookie quarterback, play over Joe Burrow. Everybody is tuning in (for) Joe Burrow, Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins... If they get into the playoffs, it’s a much better story. Ain’t nobody wanna watch a rookie quarterback in the playoffs, man. C’mon," Saturday said to Shannon Sharpe on a segment of First Take.
Everyone might be turning in to see the Bengals, but don’t sleep on Nix and a Broncos offense that has been delivering.
Denver Broncos vs Cincinnati Bengals game details: How to watch, betting odds
Date: Sunday, Dec. 28, 2024 | Time: 4:30 p.m. ET
Location: Paycor Stadium
TV: NFL Network | Live Stream: Fubo TV (try for free)
Betting Odds: Bengals -3.5; over/under 50.5 (via DraftKings)
Bo Nix passing Passing yards +250 odds vs. Bengals
Bo Nix over 250 passing yards in the Week 18 matchup : +130 (Bet $10 to win $22.99).
Key factors:
- Nix has thrown for 3,235 yards so far in his rookie season. In the last 5 games he has gone over 260 yards in four of those games. The one game he didn’t throw for at least 200 yards was a 31-13 win over the Indianapolis Colts.
- It will likely take a shootout to get a win over Burrow and the Bengals. The Broncos have scored at least 29 points in their last 5 games, which means the offense is hitting its stride with Nix under center.
More on Bo Nix at NFL Mocks:
- The Bengals are in the bottom five as far as total yards allowed with 359.9 yards per game. That includes 231.6 yards a game vs the pass. Although the Bengals have been slightly better against the past over the last 3 games, the quick passing game of Payton could spell for a long day for the Bengals’ defense if they can’t get to Nix early and often.
- In the last 3 games, the Broncos have averaged 220.0 yards through the air. That includes the game against Indy in which Nix only passed for 130 yards. With this being a potential big offensive scoring game, Nix will probably need to throw for over 250 yards to win one in Cincy.
Prediction: With a playoff spot on the line, the Bengals will outlast the Broncos with a 31-28 win. Burrow will be Burrow with over 300 yards passing, but the story of the game will be the battle between the two quarterbacks as Nix throws for over 250 yards and a couple touchdowns to keep pace with Burrow. Ultimately, the Bengals will hold Nix and the Broncos on a final drive to tie or go-ahead in the game. Despite Nix’s efforts, the Bengals stay alive another week.