Broncos vs Bengals Free Pick, NFL Free Picks, NFL Predictions 12/28/24
- J.A. Cavalier
- Dec 27, 2024
- 3 min read
Denver vs Cincinnati (CIN -3.5, 49.5)
NFL ODDS, NFL PREDICTIONS, NFL PREVIEWS
Denver Broncos vs Cincinnati Bengals
The Denver Broncos can claim their playoff spot in Week 17 with a win over the Cincinnati Bengals. If the L.A. Chargers then also win, the Bengals will be eliminated. There’s a lot riding on this game for both teams, and for the Bengals in particular, it will have the feel of win or go home football.
Considering how far from playoff contention the Bengals were just a few weeks ago, a three game win streak has kept them alive with two to play. They would need to win out, and need to see either Denver or the Chargers lose their final two games, but they can at least have a hand in that by beating the Broncos this weekend.
Joe Burrow would likely be in the MVP conversation if his team was 13-2. Because they’re not, the incredible season he’s had has sort of slipped under the radar. Burrow is four touchdowns clear of his previous career high (35) in the regular season with two games still to play. He’s performing at a high level, and has largely been carrying an offense that features one of the worst run games in the NFL.
Since allowing Joe Mixon to test free agency after seven years in Cincinnati, the pressure has been piled onto Joe Burrow. The Bengals rank 29th in rushing yards per game in 2024, but Chase Brown has started to look like he could be the franchise starter in recent weeks.
He’s now posted 923 yards and seven touchdowns in the 2024 season, not bad at all for a back who didn’t officially start a game until Week 6. He’s now had 90+ yards in back-to-back games, and his carries are way up in the second half of the season compared to the first.
Denver have had similar issues with their ground game. There isn’t a running back on the roster with 500 rushing yards this season, nor have any of them eclipsed four touchdowns. It’s been a running back by committee approach all year from Sean Payton’s offense, feeding the hot hand when they happen to have one.
As is the case with Joe Burrow, that means the pressure sits with Bo Nix in Denver. The rookie out of Oregon has shone in his rookie year, far surpassing any expectations NFL fans had for him in his first season of pro football.
The Broncos quarterback's experience has really shown, having spent five years as a starter in college learning how to command a locker room and earn the respect of your teammates. He’s loved in Denver, and the winning is certainly helping with that.
Largely thanks to their rookie QB, Denver ranks 10th in points per game (24.2), but respect has to be shown to what has become a very well respected defensive unit around the league.
Many would argue that Patrick Surtain II is the number one corner in the game right now, but Denver has built a very cohesive and stubborn unit without the need for many stars. They’re the number one team in football in points per play allowed, number two in opposition yards per play, and fourth in total points allowed per game (18.7).
Should they make the playoffs, and it’s likely that they will, Denver will prove to be a powerful matchup for whoever gets to host them in the wildcard round. They won’t be lying down easily, and will be on upset watch against one of the AFC’s giants.
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JOE BURROW’S OVER 2.5 PASSING TD’S
