The NFL Week 17 matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and the Denver Broncos is poised to be one of the most exciting games of the season, with both teams battling for playoff berths. Scheduled to kick-off at 4:30 p.m. EST on Saturday, the showdown will take place at Paycor Stadium, home to the Bengals. Oddsmakers have set the stage with the Bengals favored by 3.5 points at most sportsbooks, indicating the competitive nature of this encounter.
At the heart of this matchup is Cincinnati’s quarterback Joe Burrow, who continues to put on spectacular performances. Remarkably, Burrow is the first quarterback to throw for at least 250 yards and three touchdowns in seven consecutive games—an impressive streak capped off by last week’s dominant victory over the Cleveland Browns, where the Bengals secured a 24-6 win. With Burrow leading the charge, the Bengals' offense is currently averaging 30.6 points per game, making them one of the highest-scoring teams. On the other side, the Broncos, led by rookie quarterback Bo Nix, are not lagging far behind with their recent surge, scoring 33.2 points per game during the past five contests.
This game carries significant weight as playoff ambitions are on the line for both teams. The Bengals stand at 7-8, needing victories and some favorable outcomes to secure their postseason entry. Meanwhile, the 9-6 Broncos are still very much alive for the playoffs, but they cannot afford to slip. With the stakes this high, the atmosphere is expected to mimic the intensity of postseason football.
Recent data indicates both offenses finding success, with totals going over frequently. The betting trend for the Bengals and Broncos suggests they both could easily surpass the consensus game total of 50 points. Indeed, the Broncos have shown they can capitalize on weak defenses, and the Bengals’ defense has proven to be vulnerable recently, giving up over 300 total yards five times over their last six games. A matchup to watch is between Bengals’ star receiver Ja'Marr Chase and Broncos’ cornerback Patrick Surtain II, which could significantly impact the game’s outcome.
Despite the high expectations for offensive production, injuries could play a pivotal role. The Broncos list running back Tyler Badie as questionable, among others, but they primarily have a clean injury report going in. The Bengals, conversely, have more uncertainty. Defensive end Sam Hubbard and defensive tackle Sheldon Rankins have been ruled out, which may provide opportunities for the Broncos to exploit defensively. Notably, wide receiver Tee Higgins is questionable but has seen some practice leading up to game day. His performance could be the difference for the Bengals, considering his impact on their offensive capabilities.
The matchup also highlights the coaching strategies at play. Coaches for both teams will look to limit each other’s scoring potential, something the Bengals have struggled with against the likes of the Chargers and Browns recently. Meanwhile, the Broncos’ head coach Sean Payton is known for his teams covering the spread significantly as underdogs, making them even more compelling betting prospects. Historical performance suggests Denver could challenge the Bengals effectively, capitalizing on their defensive lapses.
Betting enthusiasts are gearing up for this high-scoring affair. BetMGM has projected the total points for the game to be over 50, basing predictions on the average scoring output both teams have provided recently. Dimers’ simulations predict the Bengals to win 27-23, which reflects how closely matched the game is expected to be.
Fans will be delighted to see how this matchup pans out, with so many variables at play. The Bengals’ hope for redemption hinges on their offense clicking under pressure and their defense stepping up when it matters most. Conversely, the Broncos aim to prove their worth as contenders, maintaining their form to keep their playoff hopes alive. If both offenses play to their potential, this game could surpass the scoring expectations and lead to pivotal playoff positioning for whichever team emerges victoriously.
