Broncos vs. Bengals Prediction
Will the Denver Broncos continue their hot streak when they go on the road to face a struggling Cincinnati Bengals team today at 1PM ET?
Game Snapshot & Odds
365 Denver Broncos at 366 Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday, December 2, 2018
1PM ET – Paul Brown Stadium
TV: CBS
Public Betting Trends
According to oddsmakers at BetNow.eu, the Broncos are favored on the road, as they are getting odds of -5 points against the Bengals. The over/under total for the contest is currently listed at 44.5 points. The public betting for this game currently has 73 percent going on the Broncos on the road.
Bengals on three-game skid
Cincinnati has lost three straight and five of its last six following a 35-20 loss at home to the Browns last week. The Bengals are now 5-6 overall, 5-6 against the spread and 8-3 with the over. Cincy failed to cover in five of its last six as well.
The Bengals have one of the worst defenses in the NFL. They rank 32nd in scoring defense (31.5 ppg) and total defense (439.6 ypg). They are also 31st in both pass defense (292.2 ypg) and rush defense (147.5 ypg). Offensively, the Bengals are putting up 25.1 points and 333.2 yards per contest. Andy Dalton is lost for the season with a thumb injury. He had 2,566 yards and 21 touchdowns. Jeff Driskel steps in for him the rest of the year. He has 239 passing yards with one touchdown. Driskel should get A.J. Green back today. He has missed multiple games with a toe injury. Green has 45 receptions for 687 yards and six touchdowns this year. Joe Mixon is the leading rusher with 673 yards and five scores.
Broncos heating up
Denver has beaten the Chargers and Steelers the last two weeks to get back into the playoff mix. The Broncos are 5-6 overall now, 5-5-1 against the spread and 7-3-1 with the under. They have covered the spread in five of their last six games.
The Broncos don’t have impressive numbers on either side of the ball this year, but the defense is improving. They are giving up 22.9 points and 389.3 yards per contest his year. Von Miller is leading the unit with 11 sacks while Bradley Chubb has nine. Offensively, Denver is putting up 22.9 points and 366.1 yards per game. Rookie Phillip Lindsay has emerged as a solid back. He has rushed for 780 yards and six touchdowns. Quarterback Case Keenum has thrown for 2,802 yards and 13 touchdowns with 10 interceptions while Emmanuel Sanders has 67 receptions for 849 yards and four scores.
NFL Betting Trends
Cincinnati
The Bengals have covered the spread in nine of their last 12 conference games and they are 20-8-1 ATS in their last 29 games in December.
Denver
The Broncos are just 5-12 against the spread in their last 17 conference games and 2-6 ATS in their last eight games in December.
Prediction:
These are two teams on different paths right now and its hard to see the Bengals snapping out of their funk with Driskel getting the start. He is facing a defense that can apply a lot of pressure on him and that is likely to lead to turnovers. The Broncos have a good thing going on offense, as they have allowed Lindsay to really be their tempo-setter. From there, Keenum just needs to avoid big mistakes and the Broncos should cover just fine.
NFL Prediction: Denver Broncos -5
Related: Broncos vs. Bengals Total Prediction