On Monday night, the Denver Broncos visit the Cincinnati Bengals in a game with significant playoff implications. Denver has already clinched the AFC West but is playing for a bye week in the postseason. If the Broncos win their 12th game on Monday, they are assured of being one of the top two seeds. Cincinnati is 9-4-1 but needs a win to clinch a playoff berth. With the Broncos and Pittsburgh Steelers looming on the schedule, that is no guarantee.
Broncos vs. Bengals 2014 picks and predictions: Denver getting the respect
Cincinnati never seems to play well in prime time, while Peyton Manning thrives under the lights.
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Denver has long been known as a passing team, but recently the Broncos have turned to the ground attack. C.J. Anderson has come alive with injuries to Ronnie Hillman and Montee Ball, running for 679 on 4.6 yards per carry this season. Anderson's emergence has allowed Manning to keep his throwing attempts down, with only 40 passes over the last two weeks combined.
Cincinnati is also riding its running game to the postseason with Jeremy Hill and Giovani Bernard in the backfield. Hill has been a boon in his rookie season out of LSU, gaining five yards per carry and 877 overall. Bernard has complimented Hill when healthy, totaling 636 rushing and 248 receiving yards. Combined, the duo has scored 13 touchdowns. The main question going forward is Andy Dalton, who has 15 touchdowns and 14 interceptions. Dalton has also performed poorly in primetime, sporting a 2-9 mark.
Over at ESPN, only two experts think the Bengals will punch their ticket to the postseason. Only one of the analysts pick Cincinnati in this spot at CBS Sports, and Denver is also a popular pick amongst the USA Today panel, getting five of seven votes.
Here at SB Nation, only PFT Commenter had the guts to pick the Bengals in the rare upset win at home.
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