The Denver Broncos won the Super Bowl just two seasons ago, but they are a long way from that dominant group these days. Denver has fallen off quickly this year with five consecutive losses and look destined to miss the postseason once again in 2017. The Broncos will aim to turn it around when they host the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 11 of the regular season.
Cincinnati had playoff aspirations as well this year but, like Denver, sits at 3-6 on the season. Even a win may not be enough to turn the year around, but the loser of this game may as well already turn its attention to the offseason.
The Broncos have a great defense but special teams and offense have been a mess, and more of those troubles could mean another loss.
This contest in Week 11 of the regular season will go down Sunday, November 19, 2017, at 4:25 p.m. ET at Sports Authority Field.
Opening NFL Odds at BookMaker.eu
Cincinnati Bengals +2.5
Denver Broncos -2.5
Over/Under 39.5
Odds Analysis
The Broncos are slight favorites based on the location of this game. The spread is intriguing since a win by a field goal margin for Denver would result in a cover. The oddsmakers have deemed Cincinnati to have the slightly better personnel, but it will be the underdog because it is a road game.
The scoring total is low. Both teams have better defenses than they do offenses. However, a scoring play on defense or special teams could have an impact there.
Injury Report
Adam Jones — The Bengals starting cornerback left Sunday’s game against the Titans in the third quarter after undergoing evaluation for a concussion and did not return. Jones also missed time earlier this season with a back injury. His status is unclear at the moment.
Jeremy Hill — The Bengals running back has elected to undergoing season-ending ankle surgery the team reporter this week. Hill suffered the injury in practice during Week 9 and was placed on injured reserve, but has no elected to undergo surgery that will rule out any chance of him returning this season.
AJ Derby —The Broncos tight end left Sunday’s game against the Patriots with a shoulder injury and did not return. After just one catch for two yards, Derby exited in the third quarter Sunday. He underwent an MRI on his right shoulder on Monday, but no update has been given on the severity at this point.
Key Stat
Three. That’s the number of major special teams snafus the Broncos had a week ago in a blowout loss to the Patriots. Denver muffed a punt, allowed Patriots running back Dion Lewis to return a kick 103 yards for a score and had a punt blocked.
The Broncos can win if their defense is put in advantageous positions, but short fields or special teams blunders like this will make it tough. Denver needs to get all of that ironed out.
Special teams has been an issue this season. The Broncos don’t have many good quarterback options this year, with Brock Osweiler currently the starter but not being very effective. They need special teams to be a net positive, not a huge negative, and thus far that has not been the case.
Free ATS Pick
Both of these teams have underwhelmed in 2017. The Bengals got off to a horrible start, turned it around briefly, but have started to struggle once again. They have some talented players, most notably A.J. Green at wide receiver, but the offense has struggled.
While the Broncos aren’t a great team any longer, they are the superior group in this matchup. Look for Denver to turn it around with a win in a game the Broncos should be able to cover the spread.
NFL Odds: Broncos 24, Bengals 17
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