AFC Smackdown: Broncos vs Bengals Week 16 Free Pick

It’s an AFC North vs West matchup tonight in Cincinnati to determine some playoff seeding.

Broncos vs Bengals

The Broncos have been crowned King of the AFC West at 11-3, but the Bengals are still looking to take the top spot in the Northern division.

Cincinnati (9-4-1) has a lot of stats working against them in this game, despite having the home advantage:

  • The Bengals have not defeated the Broncos since 2004
  • Denver has won their last 4 games against Cincinnati 
  • The Broncos are on a 4 game winning streak 
  • Overall, the #DENvsCIN series sits at 19-8 for Denver

I’m thinking the odds of seeing a win at home tonight in this Broncos vs Bengals match are slim to none.

Denver is the favourite at -3 (-120), and 70% of bettors seem to believe this is going to come true.

A playoff bye week is on the line here for the Broncos. If they can take down the Bengals for their 12th win this season they’ll be guaranteed one of the top 2 seeds in the playoffs. 

Cincinnati on the other hand is still fighting to make the cut. They need a win tonight over Denver and again next week against the Steelers – a tall order many doubt they can fill.

But the good news is the Bengals should be brimming with confidence after they shut out the Browns in Week 15.

If only it weren’t a prime time contest.

Peyton Manning will try to squash them quickly with his adeptness for performing under pressure while Cincinnati notoriously falls apart under the lights. 

Much of the Bengals hopes are with Andy Dalton and his ability to shake his poor game under pressure (his prime time record right now is 2-9).

Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard will try to do their part too, bringing the Bengals’ main strength to the forefront: their running game.

But I just don’t think it’s going to be enough to take down Anderson and Manning…not to mention the rest of the Broncos.

This contest has a tricky O/U set at 47.5, but with just 51% taking the UNDER. 

Our Pick:

Take Denver to cover -3

What do you think?

Written by Courtney Cassel

Courtney loves the Bears, despite the fact they've sucked most of this season. But she finds redemption in being a loyal Habs fan, and I guess those Raptors aren't too shabby either ;)