Cincinnati (+ 3.5) @ Denver (12-28-15)

[oldunclemark]

Mike Tirico and Jon Gruden on ESPN

Upper 20s and light winds...over-under 39.5

 

Battle of the backups as AJ McCarron, who has played in 2 games, takes on Denver's Brock Osweiler (129 of 214, 8 TDs, 4 INTs) who is making his 7th consecutive start in place of noted 'druggie' Peyton Manning...who figures to return next week against San Diego. 

Cincy WR AJ Green (77 catches, 1,206 yards) will play but always injured TE Tyler Eifert (48 catches, 564 yards, 12 TDs) will not.

Bengals average 3.8 yards per rush..which is even worse than the Broncos 3.9 yards a rush. Both are bad numbers.

Cincy defense has 38 sacks including 10 by Geno Atkins and they have 19 pass interceptions including eight by Charles Nelson

Two-way RB threat Giovanni Bernard has 680 yards rushing and 431 yards in receptions.

Broncos WRs Demariyus Thomas (93 catches, 1,128 yards) and Emmanuel Sanders (67 catches, 969 yards) have combined for just 10 TDs.

Bronco Ronnie Hillman need 289 yards in 2 games to reach 1000.

Denver has 45 QB sacks, No. 1 in the NFL. but they have not scored in the second half of the last 3 games, a blueprint for losing.

This is game 2 of the 'trilogy'; which was supposed to decide Denver's season. They have already  won at home over big shots New England (12-2) and Green Bay (10-4)

 

In a year when half the NFL is using backup QBs, this is the very first game in which Denver's hard core defense has faced a backup QB.

This is almost a must-win for Denver. To have any real chance to reaching the Super Bowl, they need a first round bye which they get if they win their last 2 games.

Cincy (11-3) clinches the No,.2 seed in the AFC with a victory and they are still alive for the No.1 seed if the Jets (9-5) upset New England (12-2). If NE beats the Jets, Denver (11-3) clinches a playoff berth. Denver is the No.1 seed if they win their final 2 game sand NE loses their final two at the Jets and at Miami. .

 

Hard to figure this one......Denver has lost 4 of 7..Cincy has split their last 6...Denver gets safeties Darien Stewart and TJ Ward back and they return to the original 11 starters for the first time since mid-season.   Denver has allowed 111 points (18.5) in six home games  In a frigid field goal fest, Denver wins and covers 3 1/2....

 

 

 

[oldunclemark]

FOX reported Sunday that Brock Osweiler has a Grade-2 separated left shoulder.

Obviously he's right handed and he's playing with it...

 

That says to me that Peyton Manning will play again this year if he gets healthy

[oldunclemark]

Pats loss puts the No. 1 seed in play Monday night

[snkdy]

I'm not that optimistic that the Broncos will win. I would love to be wrong though.

[Gramz]

Here We Go, Broncos.  Let's Do This.

[snkdy]

Wow TD Bengals. Not a good defensive start.

[jvan1973]

I need AJ green to get me 27 points tonight.    He is off to a good start

[Gramz]

AJ looks pretty relaxed yet confident in his 2nd game as a starter.

[snkdy]

That sack...

[Gramz]

Brock not looking so  good so far

[snkdy]

McCarron is playing very well. I'm impressed.

[Gramz]

4 minutes ago, snkdy said:

McCarron is playing very well. I'm impressed.

Yes he is

[Fx Stryker]

Denver has had the ball, what once? For like two minutes. Jeez.

[Gramz]

1 minute ago, Fx Stryker said:

Denver has had the ball, what once? For like two minutes. Jeez.

something like that.   I really thought this would be a close game...  

how ya doing FX

[snkdy]

Denver trying to give KC the division title.

[oldunclemark]

14-0....last TD looked easy.....Broncos have to get on the board right now or this will be a long night

[oldunclemark]

Denver cant block that front..and the pace is very slow

[Malakai432]

I like the Chiefs, they're one of the few teams I've actually liked over the years ever since the Derrick Thomas days.  I wouldn't mind seeing them make some noise in the playoffs.  I only am a bandwagon Broncos fan because of Manning.  I retract that I'm not really even a Broncos fan, I just like Peyton.  

[Gramz]

1 minute ago, Malakai432 said:

I like the Chiefs, they're one of the few teams I've actually liked over the years ever since the Derrick Thomas days.  I wouldn't mind seeing them make some noise in the playoffs.  I only am a bandwagon Broncos fan because of Manning.  I retract that I'm not really even a Broncos fan, I just like Peyton.  

Yeah, I am really missing him playing.

[Malakai432]

12 minutes ago, Fx Stryker said:

Denver has had the ball, what once? For like two minutes. Jeez.

 

Yeah their offense is trash this game thus far.  Still plenty of time for them to pick it up though. 

[Malakai432]

Just now, Mrs. Misunderstood said:

Yeah, I am really missing him playing.

 

Yeah he was a great player, and as I recall he did a lot of good for the community.  

[oldunclemark]

The 6 lineman set seems to be the answer for Denver's 5-man rush

[Girlzarefanstoo]

Hate Denver no matter who is at QB so I will love seeing KC take the division if they can.  Too many obnoxious Broncos fans have spoiled rooting for them for me - especially in my own family, LOL!  

[Malakai432]

1 minute ago, Girlzarefanstoo said:

Hate Denver no matter who is at QB so I will love seeing KC take the division if they can.  Too many obnoxious Broncos fans have spoiled rooting for them for me - especially in my own family, LOL!  

 

Yeah my cousin is one of those fans, lol.  

[2006Coltsbestever]

I want Peyton, I want Peyton, I want Peyton! I wonder what the fanbase in Denver is thinking now LMAO. Good luck without #18. I seen this crap coming. Hey bring Tebow back  

[Girlzarefanstoo]

We just got home from my hubby's physical therapy (total knee replacement) and I have the game paused for us to watch.  It was 7-0 when I started the game and paused it so I'll have to catch up to you guys.

[Malakai432]

Just now, Girlzarefanstoo said:

We just got home from my hubbies physical therapy (total knee replacement) and I have the game paused for us to watch.  It was 7-0 when I started the game and paused it so I'll have to catch up to you guys.

 

Ouch TKR, hopefully all goes well.  I have a pretty bum knee myself, blew acl, tore mcl, blah blah blah.  I may need that down the road, especially if my big butt doesn't get into shape, lol.  

[Superman]

Broncos certainly not helping the Colts right now... smh

[snkdy]

I hope we do consider Hue Jackson

[BloodyChamp]

2 minutes ago, 2006Coltsbestever said:

I want Peyton, I want Peyton, I want Peyton! I wonder what the fanbase in Denver is thinking now LMAO. Good luck without #18. I seen this crap coming. Hey bring Tebow back  

Trying to hard...fierce fronts aren't exactly Peyton's strong spot

[oldunclemark]

That's a big miss....17-0 is a ton more than 14-0

[2006Coltsbestever]

2 minutes ago, Girlzarefanstoo said:

We just got home from my hubbies physical therapy (total knee replacement) and I have the game paused for us to watch.  It was 7-0 when I started the game and paused it so I'll have to catch up to you guys.

How you doing Girlz? Yeah Brock has been lousy but Denver just caught a huge break as Nugent missed an east FG. 14-0 Cincy.

[2006Coltsbestever]

2 minutes ago, BloodyChamp said:

Trying to hard...fierce fronts aren't exactly Peyton's strong spot

0 Points, fact! Hopefully Denver can at least put 3 up though  

[oldunclemark]

 Osweiler seems so clumsy.....Bengals blew the coverage there..and left Sanders when the QB started to run

[snkdy]

Nice!

 

Could have been a TD if it wasn't underthrown though.

[Gramz]

They really need to score before the half

[2006Coltsbestever]

Broncos need 7 here, come on Brock!

[oldunclemark]

Had DT open at the goal line..didnt throw it..sack

[Fx Stryker]

The Broncos can keep it close somehow. Their offense is putrid!

[Malakai432]

Just now, Fx Stryker said:

The Broncos can keep it close somehow. Their offense is putrid!

 

Yeah they look worse than the Colts offense thus far which is pretty hard to accomplish.