Denver will aim for a 3-0 start but it won’t be easy as it prepares for a road game against the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 3 of the regular season. Cincinnati lost last time out to the Steelers, but also has a ferocious defense and a solid offense.
This is a great matchup between a pair of teams which hope to be among the best in the AFC by the end of the year.
Kickoff for this regular season Week 3 game is set for Sunday, September 25, 2016, at 1 p.m. ET at Paul Brown Stadium.
Odds Analysis
There is no official line posted yet, although the Bengals are expected to be the favorites. Denver has the better defense but the Bengals boast a more proven quarterback and the home field advantage.
The overall talent level is close, so expect Cincinnati to come in as the favorite with a spread around a field goal. The scoring total won’t be too high as both defenses will flex their muscles.
Injury Report
DeMarcus Ware -- The Broncos’ star pass-rusher broke his arm in a Week 2 win over the Colts and is expected to miss a month. Denver’s pass rush should still be good, but the absence of Ware certainly won’t help.
Tyler Eifert -- The Bengals’ star tight end hasn’t played this season because of offseason ankle surgery, and doesn’t seem likely to be ready for this game, either. His absence hurts the offense, as teams can put a lot of their focus on star wide receiver A.J. Green.
Matchup to Watch
Broncos’ pass rush against the Bengals’ offensive line -- Even though Ware is out, Denver is still dominant when it comes to getting after the quarterback.
Von Miller is the best outside pass-rusher in the NFL and he has already accumulated four sacks and a forced fumble this season. The fumble he forced came at the end of Week 2 and resulted in a fumble return for a score which wrapped up the win over the Colts.
Shane Ray could play a bigger role with Ware out. He is a former first-round pick with a lot of natural talent, and will aim to make an impact. Ray had the fumble recovery for a score against Indianapolis.
The Bengals can’t afford to fall behind, because when passes are choreographed it allows Miller and his cohorts to pin their ears back and rush with impunity. Cincinnati has an impressive offensive line which hopes to keep Dalton upright and clean.
Free ATS Pick
The Broncos have gotten a lot of publicity early on, and deservedly so. They are the defending Super Bowl champions and have started the season with a pair of wins over the Panthers and the Colts.
However, this is the first road game for young Siemian, and the defense he faces will give him trouble. The Bengals lost last time out but have one of the most balanced rosters in the league.
Their postseason fate was sealed last year when Dalton got hurt, but he is healthy for this showdown. The Bengals can make a big statement with a win, and expect it to happen.
The line might shift over the week more in favor of the Broncos, but don’t fall victim to group-think. This is still a team with an inexperienced quarterback on the road, and there are always growing pains for players like those.
Cincinnati will get after Siemian and the offense will do enough to help pick up the hard-fought victory. Keep an eye on the over-under, because this one could be a slugfest with very few points.
NFL Odds: Bengals 19, Broncos 14
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