Monday Night Football: Bengals rally, clinch playoff spot

1) The Bengals are pretty much set at running back

Hill had over 100 yards, including an 85-yard touchdown run in the first quarter, while Bernard added a solid chunk behind him. Even Dalton had solid yardage running. Hill’s 85-yard touchdown came right after Dalton threw a pick six, giving the Broncos the lead. Much of the focus on this team, at least in the media, is on Dalton, but this running game is likely what will carry them in the coming years.

Monday Night Football started with a pick-six, now it might end with one. Peyton Manning is collapsing in Cincinnati, where he’s thrown three interceptions and has looked out of sync with his offense all night.

Who needs two hands, right Emmanuel Sanders? This was a huge catch. It’s helping to keep the Broncos in the game, and, more importantly, we learned you can fend off a defensive back with one hand and have no problems.

What, you mean throwing high and wide to A.J. Green is a bad idea? Not only did Andy Dalton just gift six points to the Broncos, but Green took a hit on the play and is being looked at by the training staff.

Welp.

Massive AFC postseason implications hang over Cincinnati on Monday night. The Bengals, whose path is still wildly uncertain with two games remaining, have the most on the line -- in two weeks, they could either be sitting at home because they have a first-round bye or sitting at home because they missed the playoffs. The Broncos have already clinched their spot in the playoffs, but are still trying to lock down a first-round bye and maybe even steal the No. 1 seed.

Let’s take a look at the scenarios:

The Denver Broncos are 13-2 SU over their last 15 games against the Cincinnati Bengals but have a question mark at quarterback as they try to extend that run.

The Broncos list Peyton Manning as questionable with a thigh problem, but he was expected to play in their Monday Night Football matchup at Paul Brown Stadium at 8:30 p.m. ET.

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.

The Bengals will host Monday’s game, scheduled for 8:30 p.m. ET. Here’s a look at the fantasy names to consider:

Start ‘em?: The Broncos’ defense has improved of late, and with the Bengals’ offense always an unpredictable option, that might be a strong unit.