by Chuck Sommers
Wednesday, Dec 15, 2021
Game time: 4:05 p.m. ET
Venue: Empower Field at Mile High, Denver, CO
Where to watch: CBS
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Broncos -1.5
BetMGM: Broncos -1.5
Caesars: Broncos -1.5
Season record
Bengals: 7-6 (2nd place, AFC North)
Broncos: 7-6 (3rd place, AFC West)
A strong 6-2 week for Sean Murphy in this past Sunday’s slate of games. With two Saturday games and more on the horizon, what can this crucial week hold as we enter the final month of the regular season? Catch Murph’s plays, available right now at the Shop Picks page, where you can find all of the Best Bets from our champion sports handicappers.
Bengals - Broncos preview and analysis
Last week
Bengals: lost 26-23 (OT) vs. 49ers
Broncos: won 38-10 vs. Lions
It was an emotional Sunday for the Denver Broncos and a performance worthy of celebrating the life of Demaryius Thomas.
That was the bigger picture in their 28-point win over the Detroit Lions last Sunday, but in the immediate, the Broncos are firmly in the playoff mix and are part of the cluster of teams in the mix.
One of them is their opponent this week, the Cincinnati Bengals. The Broncos will host them in a pivotal game on Sunday with the loser all but certainly out of the mix.
Teddy Bridgewater threw for 179 yards and two touchdowns, his fifth game of completing at least 70 percent of his passes this season, and Melvin Gordon ran for a season-high 111 yards and two touchdowns in that dominant display over Detroit on Sunday.
"The best way to honor his legacy is to go out and play great football," Bridgewater said.
The Broncos have been a run-of-the-mill team against the spread, going 6-7 and 4-2 in the last six. They were 13-point favorites against the Lions one week after being 8.5-point dogs at the Kansas City Chiefs and only falling short by 4.5.
Defense, as expected, has had to carry the Broncos with the under going 6-1 in the last seven. Denver went 4-3 in that span, but that included an outright 15-point win at home against the Los Angeles Chargers to keep pace in the AFC West. The Chiefs-Chargers game could be an important night for the Broncos if things fall their way.
The Bengals, meanwhile, wasted a golden opportunity after the Cleveland Browns upset the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday. A win over the San Francisco 49ers would’ve put the Bengals in first place in the AFC North heading into the final quarter of the season.
Cincinnati did everything right but win. Joe Burrow threw for 348 yards and two touchdowns while completing 73.5 percent of his passes; both touchdowns went to Ja’Marr Chase as he continues his stellar rookie season. Tee Higgins also added five receptions for 114 yards.
But the Bengals fell in overtime to a red-hot San Francisco 49ers team that a lot of folks in the NFC don’t want to see at this point.
"Can't beat yourself," Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard said. "Can't make the mistakes we have been making the last few weeks and win games."
The Bengals have not been an ideal team on the field, nor the books, for the past six weeks. They’re 2-4 straight up and against the spread and, as mentioned, have failed to take advantage of the matchup placed in front of them. Their quarterback has played extremely well to even get the Bengals involved in the playoff race; the passing game as a whole has been great, and Joe Mixon has done well enough for a solid running game.
It might just be that the Bengals aren’t there yet, and that’s fine. But they’re in for one hell of a game against a Denver team that has suddenly been rejuvenated since trading Von Miller to the Los Angeles Rams.
Prediction
The Broncos have allowed less than 24 points the last three weeks, and less than 20 in those two wins against the Chargers and Lions. The Bengals’ offense needs to be at its best on the road in the cold. From a talent perspective, the Bengals can overcome the elements and the defense, and I’d expect them to. Bengals by 6
Betting trends
The Bengals are 12-9 ATS in their last 21 road games.
The Bengals are 6-1 ATS in their last seven when allowing 25 points or more in consecutive games.
The Broncos are 4-8 ATS in their last 12 when winning two of three.
The Broncos are 1-5 ATS in their last six following a win by 14 or more.
Players to watch
Bengals: Wide receiver Tyler Boyd has also contributed in the passing game as of late. He looks for his third straight game of at least 50 receiving yards.
Broncos: Wide receiver Jerry Jeudy has at least five receptions in two of his last three home games.
Statistical leaders
Bengals:
Passing: Joe Burrow – 3,483 yards, 25 TD, 14 INT
Rushing: Joe Mixon – 1,036 yards, 12 TD
Receiving: Ja’Marr Chase – 1,035 yards, 10 TD
Defense: Trey Hendrickson – 12.5 sacks
Broncos:
Passing: Teddy Bridgewater – 2,954 yards, 18 TD, 7 INT
Rushing: Javonte Williams – 743 yards, 3 TD
Receiving: Cortland Sutton – 658 yards, 2 TD
Defense: Justin Simmons – 5 INT
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Chuck Sommers
About the Author:
Chuck Sommers has camped outside of sportsbooks since he can remember, learning the tricks and nuances of the trade. He still has nightmares of betting $5,000 on the Raiders in the Tuck Rule game but has since turned that to 25 years of veteran handicapping greatness. You can find him mostly in the shadows at the Red Rock or Aliante casinos wondering if the over is cashing on any given Sunday.
