Bengals vs Broncos Odds, Lines, Predictions, and Picks

• The Broncos are three-point home favorites over the Bengals on Sunday, December 19th
• Betting Record: 1-2 ML; 7-6 ATS: 1-0 O/U; +0.2 units
• A look at the matchups and odds can be found below with a pick

Two teams who are trying to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2015 meet when the Cincinnati Bengals visit the Denver Broncos at 4:05 p.m. ET Sunday at Empower Field at Mile High.

Both are 7-6 and in the thick of the crowded AFC postseason picture. The Broncos have won two of their last three games and four of the last six while the Bengals have lost back-to-back games and four of their last six.

Denver is favored by a field goal in a game that will be televised by CBS.

Bengals vs Broncos Odds

Odds as of December 18th at FanDuel.

The Bengals opened as 1.5-point favorites, but the line has swung sharply the other way. Regardless, Cincinnati is getting 65% of the public betting handle and 70% of the overall wagers.

It should be a beautiful December afternoon in Denver with a high of 56 degrees under mostly sunny skies and an 8-mph wind from the southwest.

Bengals Offense vs Broncos Defense

The Broncos defense is equally effective against the run and pass, ranking 10^th in the NFL in both categories. Thus, it seems likely the Bengals will try to mix things up offensively.

Joe Mixon is second in the NFL with 1,036 rushing yards and has scored 14 touchdowns. However, he has been held to a total of 112 yards on 37 carries in the last two games.

#ProBowlVote ends at midnight! Retweet to VOTE for the offense. @JoeyB @Real10jayy__ @Joe_MainMixon @samajp32 @boutdat_23 @teehiggins5 @Thekidstan #RileyReiff @JonahGWilliams @Keem78theGreat @quinton_spain @THopkins75 pic.twitter.com/z2sKsNfyN9

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 17, 2021

That has put more of the offensive burden on quarterback Joe Burrow, who has been playing with a dislocated pinky finger on his throwing hand sustained two weeks ago.

While rookie Ja’Marr Chase continues to lead the Bengals with 60 receptions for 1,035 yards, wide receiver Tee Higgins has become more involved in the passing game in recent weeks. Higgins has at least 114 receiving yards in each of the last three games.

Broncos Offense vs Bengals Defense

Opposite of the Bengals, the Broncos have been able to use its rushing attack to great effect recently. Denver has averaged 193.0 yards passing and 161.7 yards rushing in the last three games.

The ground game is headed by veteran Melvin Gordon III and rookie Javonte Williams. The duo has combined for 1,909 scrimmage yards and 15 touchdowns this season.

Melvin Gordon III hits the gas pedal all the way to the house for a 70-yard TD run! 💥

(via @NFL)pic.twitter.com/D0fvczosxf

— Rotoworld Football (@rotoworld_fb) September 12, 2021

Meanwhile, the wide receiver tandem of Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick has just 10 receptions for 97 yards between them in three games since signing contract extensions worth $80 million.

Look for tight end Noah Fant, who has a team-high 53 receptions, to potentially get more involved in the offense. The Bengals’ 29^th-ranked defense allowed 49ers tight end George Kittle to catch 13 passes for 151 yards last week.

Bengals vs Broncos History

The teams haven’t played since 2018 when the Broncos won 24-10 in Cincinnati.

Though the Bengals were victorious in their last trip to Denver in 2017, it was their first win in the Mile High City since 1975. In all, the Broncos are 13-3 against the Bengals at home.

Bengals vs Broncos Injury Report

Broncos defensive end Dre’Mont Jones (foot) and inside linebacker Kenny Young (concussion) are doubtful. Jones had a season-high two sacks and batted down a fourth-down pass in last week’s win over the Detroit Lions.

https://twitter.com/lknowBall/status/1470563421238095874

Gordon (thumb/hip) and Williams (knee) are listed as questionable along with cornerback Nate Harrison (neck), defensive end Shelby Harris (ankle) and safeties Kareem Jackson (back) and Caden Sterns (shoulder/neck).

Out for the Bengals are offensive tackle Riley Reiff (ankle) and linebacker Logan Wilson (shoulder). Linebacker Markus Bailey (neck), cornerback Vernon Hargreaves (illness), center Trey Hill (illness) and offensive tackle Isaiah Prince (illness) are questionable.

Broncos running back Mike Boone, safety P.J. Locke and outside linebacker Malik Reed are on the COVID-19/reserve list as are Bengals defensive back Chidobe Awuzie and linebacker Clay Johnston.

Most Underrated Corner in the League@ChidobeAwuzie @Bengals #RuleTheJungle #NFL pic.twitter.com/AcfneMKylc

— Connor (@ilyconr) December 15, 2021

Bengals vs Broncos Prediction

Fitting of two 7-6 teams, this figures to be a close game. The edge goes to the Bengals, who should be able to fully utilize Burrow, Chase and Higgins in their dynamic passing game in what should be surprisingly good December weather in the Rocky Mountains.

The Pick: Bengals +3 (-118)