The great Christmas weekend of NFL football continues to roll along on Saturday with a triple header. The second game of the threesome features quite possibly the game with the most on the line. Two AFC teams battling for the few remaining playoff spots with just two weeks left in the season. Let’s jump in and take a look at this Broncos-Bengals preview and predictions.
The Denver Broncos had won four games in a row before losing to the Los Angeles Chargers in Week 16. With only two spots remaining in the AFC playoffs, that was a huge loss for the Broncos. As of today, they hold the final Wild Card spot and a two-game cushion over the Colts, Dolphins, and Bengals. It’s simple for Denver, beat Cincinnati in Week 17, and their playoff ticket is punched.
On the other side of the coin, Cincinnati is barely holding on. NFL NextGen stats have them at a 7% chance to make the playoffs today, 12% with a win and 1% with a loss. They already need a lot of help along the way, but the most important thing is to control what you can control and that’s beating Denver at home this weekend. Cincinnati is currently on a three-game winning streak as they hold on to that tiny hope of a playoff spot.
Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals Preview and Predictions Video
Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals Preview and Predictions
Bo Nix Over 20.5 Rushing Yards (-115)
Bo Nix isn’t afraid to use his legs when he needs to, and now is when he needs to. The Broncos can still make the playoffs even if they lose this week, but the chance to clinch is on the line. Just like it was last week, guess what Nix did last week? Rush for over 21 yards.
That’s something he’s done in two games in a row and eight times in 2024. When the moment gets big, Nix isn’t afraid to take off with the ball, and it often results in chunk plays. The Bengals have also already given up 10 quarterback rushing performances over 29 yards this season.
Denver Broncos +3.5 (-115)
This is probably the hardest game to pick this weekend for all the reasons above. Both teams have everything on the line, both have been good, especially lately. Both have good coaching and good quarterbacking. They’ve also both been good against the spread lately.
Denver is the best team in the league in 2024 ATS with a record of 11-4. They’ve covered in five of their last six games. Cincinnati is 9-6 on the year ATS but has covered in three straight games. I’m taking Denver because this should be a close game, either team could win and Denver should at least keep it within three. They’ve been the best team ATS this season, and Bo Nix has that Dawg in him. Bonus bet, I also love the over in this game at 49.0 (-110), we should be in for a shootout thriller in Cincinnati.
