Once again, the NFL is giving us a double header on Monday night. The later of the two games is an 8:15pm EST start on ABC between with the Bengals visiting Empower Field at Mile High. Last year, Denver just snuck a playoff spot away from the Bengals, who came on strong late. We’re still a ways off from those decisions – but this game will set one of them on the right trajectory. Who takes that next step Monday? Check out our Bengals-Broncos predictions to find out.
The Bengals are in a bit of a tough spot considering their initial expectations. After winning in Week 1, they lost Joe Burrow to turf toe for the foreseeable future. Now they have to rely on Jake Browning to try to keep things on track. While they won in Week 2 with him under center, it was more of winning despite him. He turned the ball over three times – although he did rush one in late for the win. Week 3 was even more of a problem for Cininnati as they couldn’t get their offense going and Browning turned the ball over twice more. They’ll need to get thinks clicking in order to compete with this Denver defense.
It has been the pass rush that has kept Denver in games thusfar. They have a dozen sacks through three games, led by Nik Bonitto with three. However, despite all that good work, they still find themselves with a disappointing 1-2 record. Some of that is due to back-to-back games against 3-0 teams (the Colts and the Chargers). They lost those games by a combined three points. Just a possession here or there away from being 3-0 themselves, they look to right that wrong at home on Monday.
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Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos Preview and Predictions
Bo Nix Over 1.5 Passing Touchdowns (-105)
The Bengals defense has allowed six psing touchdowns through three weeks. The list of quarterbacks they’ve faced isn’t exactly an All-Pro shortlist either. Joe Flacco, Carson Wentz and Trevor Lawrence have all lit them up to an extent with the air assault. Nix has looked mostly solid through the air against much better defenses. With a big primetime spot here, I like his chances to get at least two through the air.
Denver Broncos -7 (-115)
The Broncos record might not make you want to lay a touchdown with them. However, as I mentioned prior, they have been one field goal away from a victory twice. Now we get that vaunted pass rush getting in the face of Jake Browning. That went poorly in Minnesota last week for Browning, and I don’t imagine it’ll look much better for him on Monday night. As a result, I like the Broncos to cover the points here.
