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The Cincinnati Bengals Week 15 matchup against the Denver Broncos pits two teams with identical 7-6 records against each other in a practical elimination game for both teams. With Cincinnati and Denver, both part of a six-way tie for the last two playoff spots in the AFC, a loss this week could put either of them one game back of the pack with only three games left and with multiple teams to jump. That is not a favorable position to be put in, to say the least. So, with that being said, it is paramount for both teams this week to come away with the win.
As we all know, that is not possible and unless there is. a tie, one of these teams will be moving to 8-6 and one will be 7-7. Here are four predictions for Sunday's Bengals-Broncos game that might help the Bengals become the 8-6 team and put themselves on a playoff path in the process.
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Bengals Week 15 Predictions
4. Tyler Boyd will score a touchdown
Boyd only has two touchdowns on the year, one in Week three against the Pittsburgh Steelers and one in Week eight against the New York Jets. Most of the scoring has been done by rookie receiver Ja'Marr Chase and second-year wideout tee Higgins. Even lightly used tight end C.J Uzomah has more touchdowns (5) on the year than Boyd does.
Although his touchdown numbers have dropped in each of the past four seasons, Boyd is still a better player than two touchdowns per year and this is the week he starts to show it. The Bengals could use a score from him as Uzomah has gone cold over the past two months, Higgins is nursing a minor injury and Chase is due to hit the “rookie wall” at some point if he hasn't already.
3. Von Bell will have an interception
Bell has been a very highly graded player this year by pro football focus and that has led to him also being a very good player in fantasy football as he is usually around the ball. That is what Cincinnati envisioned when they signed him last off-season and they are surely getting their money's worth now.
To go along with 60 tackles and a sack so far in 2021, Bell also has three forced fumbles and a fumble recovery. What he does not have yet in 2021 is an interception. In fact, Bell only has one interception in 78 career NFL games. That changes this week when he doubles his career total with a first-quarter pick if Teddy Bridgewater,
2. Samaje Perine will score a touchdown
Perine has scored twice this season, once on the ground and one through the air. Although Joe Mixon is seemingly healthy and ready for this week's game, we are predicting a heavy dose of Perine on Sunday nevertheless. With the weather getting colder and teams getting more and more injured, smart football teams will know that this is the time to pound the rock. Enter Perine and his bruising style to the center stage.
Perine never gives the defense any easy tackles and that is the exact type of runner that defenses HATE to defend in the cold. While it may not be typical Denver weather for the middle of December (it will be a warm 55 degrees at kickoff,) that is still plenty cold enough to make defenders second-guess a tackle and that is all you need sometimes.
1. The Bengals will cover the three-point spread
This one seems like one of the biggest locks of the week. The weather is not going to be cold enough to give the Broncos a home-field advantage and in a game that both teams have to win, you have to go with the better team. That is the case here. As much as the Broncos have fought and hung un there as a scrappy team, they are destined to be sitting and watching at home come playoff time. After Sunday, they could be one big step closer to that reality.
The Bengals enter this one with one big advantage: they have already won big games. With big-time wins this year over the Pittsburgh Steelers (twice), Las Vegas Raiders, and Baltimore Ravens, Cincinnati has proven they can hang with the best teams in the AFC. If they can take care of Denver on Sunday, like we are predicting, then they will also be setting themselves up nicely for a chance to beat one of those teams yet again…this time in the playoffs.
It won't be easy for the Bengals after they leave Denver. Cincinnati must also face the Ravens (again), the Kansas City Chiefs, and the Cleveland Browns to close out the season. If they can make the playoffs after getting through that schedule, we may be looking at a team that makes a deep playoff run, as well. Get your popcorn ready because this is going to be one crazy final month of the NFL season.
