Denver Broncos vs Cincinnati Bengals Prediction, Preview and Odds - 12/28/2024

by Rod Pearson

Tuesday, Dec 24, 2024
Game Time: 4:30 pm ET, Saturday, December 28, 2024
Venue:  Paycor Stadium, Cincinnati, OH
Where to Watch:  NFL Network


Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks

DraftKings:  Point Spread:  Broncos +3.5, Bengals -3.5; Over/Under:  50 points
Bet365:  Point Spread:  Broncos +3, Bengals -3; Over/Under:  50 points
BetMGM:  Point Spread:  Broncos +3, Bengals -3; Over/Under:  50 points

Season Record

Denver Broncos:  9-6 (3rd place, AFC West)
Cincinnati Bengals:  7-8 (3rd place, AFC North)

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Recent Form
Denver Broncos:  lost their last game on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers 34-27.
Cincinnati Bengals:  won their last game at home against the Cleveland Browns 24-6.


Denver Broncos vs Cincinnati Bengals Preview and Analysis


The Broncos are entering this game with a 9-6 record overall and they have a 2-3 record in their divisional games too. They are 5-2 in their home games, 4-4 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be on the road for this game. They lost their last game against the Los Angeles Chargers 34-27. Bo Nix was the starting QB and he completed 29/40 passes for 263 passing yards, 2 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Audric Estime led the team in rushing yards with 48 and 1 TD. Marvin Mims Jr. led the receivers with 62 receiving yards on 3 receptions. Brandon Jones led the defense in that game with 7 solo tackles and 3 assisted tackles while Drew Sanders and Dondrea Tillman each led the defense in sacks with 1. Kris Abrams-Draine came away with the only interception for them in that one.
 
 
 
The Bengals are entering this game with a 7-8 record overall and they have a 2-3 record in their divisional games too. They are 2-5 in their home games, 5-3 in their road games, and they are also 0-0 in their neutral site games this season, but they will be at home for this game. They won their last game against the Cleveland Browns 24-6. Joe Burrow was the starting QB and he completed 23/30 passes for 252 passing yards, 3 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions. Chase Brown led the team in rushing yards with 91. Ja'Marr Chase led the receivers with 97 receiving yards on 6 receptions and 1 TD. Jordan Battle led the defense in that game with 6 solo tackles and 1 assisted tackle while Kris Jenkins Jr. led the defense in sacks with 2. Jordan Battle and Geno Stone each came away with 1 interception for them in that one.


Broncos vs Bengals Prediction

The current betting odds have the Bengals listed as a 3.5 point favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Bengals haven't looked good in their games this season with their 7-8 record overall which has them in 3rd place of the AFC North, but they are still alive to make the playoffs. They don't control their own destiny, but they do need to win every game left, especially this game against the Broncos. Meanwhile, the Broncos have looked good in their games this season with their 9-6 record overall which has them in 3rd place of the AFC West and in the last Wild Card spot at the moment. The Broncos can clinch a playoff spot with a win in this game, but they are coming off a 34-27 loss to the Chargers in their last one and they haven't looked great lately. Their offense has been a bit up and down all season with their rookie QB Bo Nix, but their defense has been one of the best in the NFL and a big reason for a lot of their wins. Lately they haven't looked as good though, giving up 34 points to the Chargers last week, but they have also given up a ton of points lately when they have played against better offenses. The Bengals are in this position because they have one of the worst defenses in the NFL, but they also have one of the best offenses in the NFL and can outscore any team. The defense has looked better in their games lately too and this Bengals team has been playing in playoff mode for the last few weeks now. The Bengals are the hotter team right now and have the momentum on their side while things are starting to go South for the Broncos as the games get tougher to end the season. The best way to place a bet here is on the Bengals to cover the spread in this game. 

Broncos Bengals Prediction:  Our NFL Pick for Saturday, December 28, 2024 (4:30 pm ET start time) is Bengals 30 Broncos 24.
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NFL Betting Trends


Denver Broncos: 10-3 ATS as an underdog of 3.5 to 9.5 points. 8-3 ATS vs. good offensive teams - scoring 24 or more points/game. 12-5 ATS versus poor defensive teams - allowing 5.65 yards/play or more. 10-3 OVER vs. bad defensive teams who give up 24 or more points/game. 5-2 OVER off 3 or more consecutive overs.

Cincinnati Bengals: 1-5 1H ATS after allowing 14 points or less last game. 5-8 1H ATS off a home win. 8-4 OVER off a home win. 9-5 OVER when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 60% to 75%). 22-13 1H OVER as a favorite. 

Key Injuries


Denver Broncos:  D. Jones (DT) Injured - Finger. J. Franklin-Myers (DL) Injured - Foot. P. Surtain (CB) Injured - Ankle. J. McLaughlin (RB) Out - Quad. R. Moss (CB) Out - Knee.

Cincinnati Bengals:  T. Hendrickson (DE) Injured - Finger. T. Hudson (TE) Injured - Knee. S. Hubbard (DE) Injured - Knee. A. Cappa (G) Injured - Concussion. G. Stone (SAF) Injured - Shoulder. C. Ford (G) Injured - Illness. K. Jenkins (DT) Injured - Illness. S. Rankins (DT) Injured - Illness. O. Brown (OT) Injured - Fibula. C. Jones (WR) Injured - Groin. J. Burrow (QB) Injured - Wrist. T. Higgins (WR) Injured - Rest.

Notable Quotes


“Obviously, a disappointing loss. There was a lot at stake, and we know that. We had a fast start, and then uncharacteristically this season, we didn’t finish or play nearly well enough in the second half, both offensively and defensively.” - Sean Payton after his team’s loss against the LA Chargers in their last game. 


“It's a 14-point swing. Not only did it take the life out of them a little bit, getting the stop on the 1-yard line then going 99 (yards) gave us a lot of confidence and set the tone.” - Zac Taylor after his team’s win against the Browns in their last game. 


Starting Lineups


Denver Broncos
WR Sutton, Courtland 
WR Humphrey, Lil'Jordan
WR Vele, Devaughn
TE Trautman, Adam
QB Nix, Bo
RB Williams, Javonte 
FB Burton, Michael

Cincinnati Bengals
WR Chase, Ja'Marr 
WR Higgins, Tee
WR Iosivas, Andrei 
TE Gesicki, Mike
QB Burrow, Joe 
RB Brown, Chase  

Statistical Leaders


Denver Broncos
Passing: B. Nix (3235)
Rushing: J. Williams (485)
Receiving: C. Sutton (928)
Touchdowns: C. Sutton (6)

Cincinnati Bengals
Passing: J. Burrow (4229)
Rushing: C. Brown (923)
Receiving: J. Chase (1510)
Touchdowns: J. Chase (16)

Coaches:
Denver Broncos: Sean Payton (2nd season)
Cincinnati Bengals: Zac Taylor (6th season)


Rod Pearson

About the Author:

Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life.  He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years.  In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective.  Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.

All photographic images used for editorial content have been licensed from the Associated Press.

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