A critical showdown will be heading our way in Week 15 as the Denver Broncos host the Cincinnati Bengals at Empower Field at Mile High. Both teams are desperate for a win to bolster their chances of reaching the playoffs via the wild card. Here's a breakdown of the Bengals vs Broncos clash.
Cincinnati Bengals installed as +3 underdogs
The Cincinnati Bengals wasted a huge opportunity to go top of the AFC North, losing 26-23 in overtime to the San Francisco 49ers in Week 14. The Bengals had no answer for 49ers tight end George Kittle, who caught 13 passes for 151 yards and a touchdown.
It was a costly result for the Bengals, who dropped out of the playoff picture with the defeat. They are currently in ninth place in the AFC standings with a 7-6 record. The good news for the Bengals is that they share the same record as the Indianapolis Colts and the Buffalo Bills, who hold the last two wild card spots in the AFC heading into Week 15.
For the Bengals to get their season back on track against the Broncos, they will need to get a solid performance from Joe Burrow. He completed 25 of 34 passes for 348 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in the loss to the 49ers. Burrow will fancy his chances of doing just that in Denver as he has thrown multiple touchdowns in five of his last six road games.
Tee Higgins was Burrow's favorite target in Week 14, with the Bengals wide receiver catching five passes for 114 yards. Higgins now has recorded three consecutive 100-yard games, providing Burrow with another offensive weapon aside from Ja'Marr Chase.
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Denver Broncos enter Week 15 as -3 favorites
Denver's playoff hopes remained very much alive after the Broncos recorded a comprehensive 38-10 win over the Detroit Lions in Week 14. The Broncos are currently in 10th place in the AFC standings but they share the same record as the Colts, Bills, Bengals, and Browns so a wild card spot is well within reach.
The Broncos will look to secure back-to-back wins when they take on the Bengals in a battle of 7-6 teams. One guy who needs to step up for Denver in this important clash is Melvin Gordon. He ran for 111 yards and a couple of touchdowns in the win against the Lions last week. Gordon has faced the Bengals once before, racking up 88 yards rushing back in 2015 when he was still a member of the Chargers.
Teddy Bridgewater also had an efficient performance against the Lions, completing 18 of 25 passes for 179 yards and two touchdowns. He has not thrown a pick in five of his last six starts. Bridgewater has also not thrown an interception in his last four home starts, a good sign for the Broncos heading into their clash with the Bengals in Denver.
Writer's Prediction
Denver wins and covers the spread.
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