With the postseason window narrowing, the Cincinnati Bengals (7-8) face a critical encounter in Week 17 that they must win to keep their slim playoff hopes alive. Despite a lacklustre season, a three-game winning streak has injected some momentum into their campaign, although it might be a case of too little, too late.
Match info
- NFL Week 17 of 18
- Saturday 28th December 2024 – 16:30 EST / 21:30 GMT
- Paycor Stadium
The AFC playoff race sees one Wild Card spot already claimed by a team from their division, the AFC North, with the remaining two currently occupied by teams from the AFC West. Earlier in the day, the Los Angeles Chargers aim to secure their playoff position, adding pressure on the Bengals who must triumph over the Denver Broncos (9-6) to stay in contention. The Broncos, fresh off a loss to the Chargers in Week 16, are looking to bounce back under the leadership of Sean Payton and rookie quarterback Bo Nix, setting the stage for a challenging away game.
Denver has struggled to establish their running game in recent matches, a weakness the Bengals’ defensive line could exploit despite their own issues in stopping the rush. This match is crucial for Nix, who faces a Cincinnati secondary that, despite performing well during their win streak, has benefited from facing weaker quarterbacks. Nix, however, has shown potential to surpass expectations under Payton’s guidance.
The Bengals’ offense, led by Joe Burrow, remains potent, with Burrow continuing to move the chains despite injuries to key players like Tee Higgins. With Chase Brown likely contained as a rusher, his role as a pass-catcher out of the backfield becomes more vital. Denver’s defense will welcome back Riley Moss, bolstering a secondary that has missed his presence alongside Patrick Surtain II.
The Bengals’ aerial attack poses a significant challenge for Denver, with Cincinnati potentially having a slight advantage in what could be a tightly contested game. Despite his solid performance, Burrow needs to avoid turnovers, which have been detrimental to the team’s efforts this season. His cleaner execution could be decisive in keeping Cincinnati’s playoff aspirations alive.
While Payton’s Broncos will no doubt have a strong game plan after extra preparation time, the Bengals’ offensive firepower might just tip the scales in their favor as they seek to cover the spread and push for a win in this pivotal Week 17 showdown.
America Bet Match Winner Prediction
Cincinnati Bengals to win
Given the current dynamics and the details outlined in the match preview, I would predict that the Cincinnati Bengals are likely to come out on top in this Week 17 game against the Denver Broncos. Despite their inconsistencies this season, the Bengals’ recent form and the return of key defensive players appear to give them a narrow edge, especially with the offensive firepower they possess. The pressure is on, but Joe Burrow and his team have shown they can step up in crucial moments, and with Denver struggling in their running game, Cincinnati might just have what it takes to keep their playoff hopes alive with a victory.
America Bet Scoreline Prediction
Cincinnati Bengals 27, Denver Broncos 20
This prediction assumes that the Bengals’ offense, led by Joe Burrow, continues to perform effectively, exploiting Denver’s recent difficulties in their running defense, while Cincinnati manages to somewhat contain Denver’s efforts to bounce back under rookie quarterback Bo Nix. The game could be closely contested, but the Bengals might have the edge in offensive execution, leading to their victory.
America Bet Betting Tips
- Cincinnati Bengals to win the game.
- Total points over 47.
- Joe Burrow to throw for over 250 yards.
- Bo Nix to throw at least one interception.
- Chase Brown to have over 50 receiving yards.
- Cincinnati Bengals to score first.
- Total touchdowns in the game over 5.5.
- Denver Broncos to score under 21 points.
- Joe Burrow to throw at least 2 touchdowns.
- First scoring play to be a Cincinnati field goal.
