Preview: Cincinnati at Denver.

[Greenbacks]

When: 8:30 PM ET, Monday, December 28, 2015
Where: Sports Authority Field at Mile High, Denver, Colorado

Both starting quarterbacks have been lost to injury, but the stakes are still high in Monday night's clash between the visiting Cincinnati Bengals and the Denver Broncos. Despite losing starter Andy Dalton to a fractured right thumb two weeks ago, the Bengals can wrap up the No. 2 seed and a first-round bye in the postseason with a victory.

Cincinnati, which holds a one-game edge over Denver and is one game behind New England for the best record in the AFC, can also wrap up the AFC North with a win. "It will be fun, it's a great opportunity," Bengals coach Marvin Lewis said. "Both teams have earned it, and we've got to have at it." Brock Osweiler will make his sixth consecutive start in place of Peyton Manning for Denver, which blew a 17-point halftime lead in a 34-27 defeat at Pittsburgh last weekend. The Broncos still have a chance at the No. 2 seed but also had their lead cut to one game over Kansas City in the AFC West.

TV: 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN. LINE: Broncos -3.5. O/U: 40.5

ABOUT THE BENGALS (11-3): A.J. McCarron threw for two touchdowns and two interceptions in relief of Dalton in a loss to Pittsburgh, but was solid in a 24-14 win at San Francisco with 192 yards on 15-of-21 despite the absence of star tight end Tyler Eifert and limited nature of top wideout A.J. Green. With Eifert set to miss a second straight game due to a concussion and Cincinnati's ground game struggling the past two weeks, McCarron will have his hands full with the league's top-ranked defense. The Bengals are no slouches on the other side of the ball, allowing a league-low 17.4 points per game.

ABOUT THE BRONCOS (10-4): Osweiler threw for three touchdowns and ran for another in the first half alone against Pittsburgh, but for the third straight week he was unable to put any points on the scoreboard in the second half as Denver lost its second in a row. The running game has not been much of a factor all season, but Emmanuel Sanders came alive with 10 catches for 181 yards and a touchdown and fellow wideout Demaryius Thomas had a pair of scoring receptions. The Broncos were torched by Pittsburgh's passing game, but they are tied for the league lead with 47 sacks and feature the No. 1 run defense.

EXTRA POINTS

1. Broncos LB Von Miller has six sacks in last six games.

2. Bengals RB Jeremy Hill rushed for 147 yards and a TD in a 37-28 win over Denver last season.

3. Thomas had seven catches for 155 yards in last season's matchup.




ATS Trends

Cincinnati

Bengals are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games in Week 16. Bengals are 7-0 ATS in their last 7 road games. Bengals are 3-0-1 ATS in their last 4 games after accumulating less than 250 total yards in their previous game. Bengals are 5-0 ATS in their last 5 games on grass. Bengals are 6-0-1 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game. Bengals are 11-2-1 ATS in their last 14 games overall. Bengals are 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 games following a straight up win. Bengals are 8-2-1 ATS in their last 11 games following a ATS win. Bengals are 4-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record. Bengals are 8-2 ATS in their last 10 vs. AFC. Bengals are 15-5-1 ATS in their last 21 games after accumulating less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game. Bengals are 11-4 ATS in their last 15 games in December. Bengals are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing less than 90 yards rushing in their previous game. Bengals are 5-2 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing less than 15 points in their previous game.

Denver

Broncos are 6-1 ATS in their last 7 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game. Broncos are 5-1 ATS in their last 6 games after allowing more than 30 points in their previous game. Broncos are 4-1 ATS vs. a team with a winning record. Broncos are 11-3 ATS in their last 14 games following a straight up loss. Broncos are 12-4 ATS in their last 16 games in December. Broncos are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games following a ATS win. Broncos are 1-4 ATS in their last 5 games after accumulating more than 350 total yards in their previous game. Broncos are 1-5-1 ATS in their last 7 Monday games.

OU Trends

Cincinnati

Under is 4-0 in Bengals last 4 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game. Under is 6-1 in Bengals last 7 road games vs. a team with a winning home record. Under is 5-1 in Bengals last 6 games following a ATS win. Under is 4-1 in Bengals last 5 games following a straight up win. Under is 4-1 in Bengals last 5 vs. AFC. Under is 7-2 in Bengals last 9 games on grass. Under is 6-2 in Bengals last 8 games overall. Under is 10-4 in Bengals last 14 road games.

Denver

Over is 8-1 in Broncos last 9 games after allowing more than 30 points in their previous game. Under is 5-1-1 in Broncos last 7 home games. Over is 4-1 in Broncos last 5 Monday games. Over is 44-15-3 in Broncos last 62 games following a straight up loss. Over is 14-5 in Broncos last 19 home games vs. a team with a winning road record. Over is 34-13 in Broncos last 47 vs. a team with a winning record. Over is 5-2 in Broncos last 7 games in Week 16. Over is 36-15-1 in Broncos last 52 games after allowing more than 250 yards passing in their previous game. Over is 43-18-2 in Broncos last 63 games after accumulating more than 250 yards passing in their previous game. Under is 7-3 in Broncos last 10 games in December. Under is 11-5-1 in Broncos last 17 games on grass.

Head to Head

Underdog is 5-1 ATS in their last 6 meetings. Over is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings. Road team is 4-1 ATS in their last 5 meetings.

 

[Greenbacks]

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[/h]

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