Bengals vs Broncos : preview By Bill Murphy
The Bengals have won three games in a row after their 24-6 victory against Cleveland. Joe Burrow aside from providing awesome Christmas gifts for his linemen , was 23-30 for 252 yards and three touchdowns. This was Burrow’s seventh straight game in which threw at least three touchdowns and 250 yards. The Bengals still have a chance to make it to the playoffs, as their season is on the line. This week they play the Broncos, who are coming off a 34-27 loss to the Chargers. It’s simple for the Bengals win and week 18 matters, lose however and your season is over.
Keys to the Game
Bengals
Offense
Ja’Marr Chase- Chase currently leads the league with 108 receptions, 1,510 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns becoming the first Bengal to wrack up 1,500 yards. Burrow is going to have to find a way to get Chase the ball especially if Pat Surtain is covering him.
Defense: Trey Hendrcikson
Hendrickson currently leads the NFL with 13.5 sacks, he is going to have to get to Bo Nix who has been sacked 22 times this season. Hendrickson. Nix is going to have to face Hendrickson and the offensive line is going to have to stop him . Hendrickson 28 solo tackles, 26 defensive stops, 72 total pressures, 30 QB hits, three batted passes, and two forced fumbles.
Broncos :
Offense : Bo Nix
The rookie Bo Nix has been having a strong season in Denver so far , wracking up 3,235 yards and 22 touchdowns . He is shattering rookie expectations . Nix has many weapons that he can get hit such as Crotland Sutton and Marvin Mims jr. Have to wonder if the Bengals use Germaine Pratt as a spy on Nix’s ability to run the ball.
Defense : Secondary
The Broncos secondary is going to have to go up against the Bengals hot wide receivers Ja’ Marr Chase and Tee Higgins. The big weapon of this secondary is Patrick Surtain who has allowed 234 yards making it the fewest yards allowed by a cornerback and four interceptions . Riley Moss will be returning to the secondary from injury which will be putting it at full strength.
Prediction :
Broncos 31 Bengals 27
Dolphins at Browns : Like the Bengals, the Dolphins are hanging by a thread in the playoff race. They’ll take their slim chances to Cleveland and play a Browns team that was boat raced by the Bengals last week. The two players that should scare the Dolphins are Myles Garrett on defense, he is one of the elite pass rushers in the NFL and can wreck a game on his own. Offensively the Dolphins should pay a lot of attention to David Njoku, who has a superb season, with less than stellar Quarterback play. If the Dolphins use Jalen Ramsey on Jerry Jeudy, they’ll have to double Njoku.
Packers at Vikings : Two teams that will be playing in the playoffs meet in Minnesota on Sunday. These two rivals played in week 4 a game the Vikings won 31-29. The Vikings need a win to have an opportunity for home field throughout the playoffs. As high scoring as the first meeting was, don’t be surprised if this second meeting is a defensive slugfest both teams have been awesome on that side of the ball. This should come down to turnovers.
Lions at 49ers – A rematch of the NFC Championship game and two teams going in different directions. A Lions win along with a Vikings loss would give the Lions the one seed and home field advantage throughout the playoffs. As for San Francisco they don’t want the Lions clinching on their turf. This game has big potential for a shootout.
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