‘Monday Night Football’ live stream: How to watch Broncos vs. Bengals 2014 online

Now the go-to guy in Cincy, rookie Jeremy Hill will play a major role in the Bengals’ Monday night upset bid.

Dec 22, 2014, 11:00 PM UTC

Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Jeremy Hill was supposed to be a change-of-pace back, at least during his rookie season. But after ripping off 148 yards and two touchdowns last week in his first game since snatching Giovani Bernard's job as the Bengals' starting running back, Hill enters Monday night's critical showdown with the Broncos as the undisputed feature rusher in Cincinnati.

Of course, the going won’t be nearly as easy against Denver as it was last week in Cleveland, which ranks 31st in run defense. Led by a formidable front seven, the Broncos are allowing just 72 yards per game on the ground, second-best in the league.

But Hill should be up for the challenge. In his three-game stint filling in for an injured Bernard during the middle of the season, the rookie averaged 120 yards per game. On the year, his per-carry rate is almost a full yard more than Bernard’s and he’s scored three more rushing touchdowns.

With Hill running unchecked through the Cleveland defense, Andy Dalton needed to throw just 24 times to pick up a 30-0 win. Given that Dalton has coughed up multiple turnovers in six games this season and the Denver defense has eight takeaways in its last three contests, the Bengals' chances of handing Denver its fourth loss improve dramatically if they can lean on their rookie rusher.

The Bengals have been clobbered in both of their primetime games this year -- a 43-17 blowout at New England and a 24-3 loss at home to the Browns. On the other hand, the Broncos are 4-0 in night games this season. The odds might not be in Cincinnati’s favor, but the team has a lot to play for as it tries to make it out alive in a ruthless AFC North race.