The Broncos and Bengals have identical win-loss records but the two clubs are going in opposite directions in the eyes of NFL bettors. Denver heads into Cincinnati as 4.5-point favourites against the reeling Bengals on Sunday afternoon.

NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis

Denver got off to a terrible start to the season but thing have been coming together for the club from Mile High over the past few weeks. The Broncos are coming off a 24-17 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers last weekend and they’re 5-1 against the spread over the last six weeks.

The Broncos are in third place in the AFC West standings at 5-6 but they still have a shot at the second wild card playoff berth. Denver won’t catch Kansas City and probably not Los Angeles either in their division but the squad has a chance to make the postseason thanks to a timely two-game winning streak.

Denver 5-5-1 ATS on the year and the Under is 7-3-1 in its 11 contests on the campaign. The Under is 7-2-1 in the Broncos’ last 10 games and 2-1 in their last three games against the Bengals.

Cincinnati has fallen off a cliff since opening the year on a 4-1 tear. The Bengals are just 1-5 (straight up and against the spread) over its last six games with the biggest gut punch coming last weekend when the Cleveland Browns walked out of Paul Brown Stadium with a 35-20 victory.

About 93 percent of Sports Interaction bettors like the Broncos to cover as 5-point road favourites while 83 percent expect the game to go Over the 43.5-point total.

Denver Broncos

There’s no doubt luck has played a part of the Broncos’ recent success. The team owns a +6 takeaway/giveaway margin over the last two weeks. Turnovers hasn’t been the only positive story for Denver over the last few weeks.

Running back Phillip Lindsay has compiled 434 rushing yards and five touchdowns over the last five games. The rookie out of Colorado is seventh in the NFL in rushing yards this season with 780 in 11 games.

Cincinnati Bengals

Marvin Lewis’ name is coming up these days when people start talking about NFL head coaches on the hot seat. Lewis has been the sideline boss in Cincy for almost the entire decade and he just signed a two year extension last January. That might make letting him go problematic for a franchise known for its fiscally conscience tendencies.

Weather

temp	63
condition	sunny
wind	Southwest 12mph

Injuries

Denver

Andre Holmes (WR)

I-R Ankle - 26 / 12 / 18

Brendan Langley (CB)

Ques Sun Concussion - 20 / 12 / 18

Isaac Yiadom (CB)

Prob Mon Shoulder - 09 / 12 / 18

Chris Harris Jr. (CB)

I-R Shin - 02 / 12 / 18

Josey Jewell (LB)

Prob Sun Ankle - 02 / 12 / 18

Shaquil Barrett (LB)

Prob Mon Hip Flexor - 25 / 11 / 18

Jeff Heuerman (TE)

I-R Ribs - 25 / 11 / 18

Max Garcia (G)

I-R Knee - 16 / 11 / 18

Matt Paradis (C)

I-R Shin - 04 / 11 / 18

Andy Janovich (FB)

Ques Sun Thigh - 01 / 11 / 18

Cincinnati

Malik Jefferson (LB)

I-R Foot - 18 / 12 / 18

Tyler Boyd (WR)

I-R Knee - 16 / 12 / 18

KeiVarae Russell (CB)

Ques Sun Finger - 12 / 12 / 18

Tony McRae (CB)

Ques Sun Concussion - 25 / 11 / 18

Mark Walton (RB)

Ques Sun Illness - 21 / 11 / 18

Joe Mixon (HB)

Prob Sun Knee - 15 / 11 / 18

Josh Malone (WR)

Out indefinitely Hamstring - 08 / 11 / 18

Alex Redmond (G)

Ques Sun Hamstring - 07 / 11 / 18

A.J. Green (WR)

Prob Sun Toe - 30 / 10 / 18

Jake Fisher (T)

Prob Sun Back - 24 / 10 / 18

Injuries

Denver

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Andre Holmes (WR)	I-R	Ankle - 26 / 12 / 18	0-1	0-1	+ -
Holmes is suffering from a high ankle sprain and has been placed on injured reserve.
Brendan Langley (CB)	Ques Sun	Concussion - 20 / 12 / 18	0-2	0-2	+ -
Langley missed the last game dealing with a concussion and it is unknown if he will be cleared in time for Sunday's game against the Chargers.
Isaac Yiadom (CB)	Prob Mon	Shoulder - 09 / 12 / 18	1-3	0-4	+ -
Yiadom missed the previous game due to a separated left shoulder but is likely to suit up for Monday's matchup against the Raiders.
Chris Harris Jr. (CB)	I-R	Shin - 02 / 12 / 18	2-3	0-5	+ -
Harris Jr. is on injured reserve with a fractured fibula.
Josey Jewell (LB)	Prob Sun	Ankle - 02 / 12 / 18	2-3	0-5	+ -
Jewell exited the last game due to an ankle sprain but is likely to partake in Sunday's matchup against the 49ers.
Shaquil Barrett (LB)	Prob Mon	Hip Flexor - 25 / 11 / 18	3-3	0-6	+ -
Barrett is expected to return Monday against the Raiders after missing the last four weeks due to a hip flexor injury.
Jeff Heuerman (TE)	I-R	Ribs - 25 / 11 / 18	3-3	0-6	+ -
Heurman has been designated for the injured reserve list with three broken ribs and a bruised lung.
Max Garcia (G)	I-R	Knee - 16 / 11 / 18	3-4	0-7	+ -
Garcia has a torn ACL and is on the injured reserve list.
Matt Paradis (C)	I-R	Shin - 04 / 11 / 18	4-4	0-7-1	+ -
Paradis has been placed on the injured reserve list due to a fractured right fibula.
Andy Janovich (FB)	Ques Sun	Thigh - 01 / 11 / 18	4-4	0-7-1	+ -
Janovich injured his thigh, leaving his status for Sunday's contest against the Texans hazy.

Cincinnati

player (position)	status		ats*current	o/u*	notes
Malik Jefferson (LB)	I-R	Foot - 18 / 12 / 18	2-0	0-0-2	+ -
Jefferson is on injured reserve with a foot injury.
Tyler Boyd (WR)	I-R	Knee - 16 / 12 / 18	3-0	0-1-2	+ -
Boyd suffered an MCL sprain in his right knee and has been placed on injured reserve.
KeiVarae Russell (CB)	Ques Sun	Finger - 12 / 12 / 18	3-0	0-1-2	+ -
Russell has missed the last two games with a finger injury and his status for Sunday against the Steelers is up in the air.
Tony McRae (CB)	Ques Sun	Concussion - 25 / 11 / 18	4-2	2-2-2	+ -
McRae has sat out the last two games due to a concussion it is uncertain if he will pass protocol in time for Sunday's contest against the Raiders.
Mark Walton (RB)	Ques Sun	Illness - 21 / 11 / 18	4-2	2-2-2	+ -
Walton is ailing from an illness and it is unknown if the symptoms will subside in time for Sunday's game against the Browns.
Joe Mixon (HB)	Prob Sun	Knee - 15 / 11 / 18	4-3	3-2-2	+ -
Mixon was confined to a limited role in practice due to a knee injury but is expected to suit up for Sunday's contest against the Ravens.
Josh Malone (WR)	Out indefinitely	Hamstring - 08 / 11 / 18	4-4	4-2-2	+ -
Malone is sidelined with a hamstring injury and there is no timetable for recovery.
Alex Redmond (G)	Ques Sun	Hamstring - 07 / 11 / 18	4-4	4-2-2	+ -
Redmond missed the last game hobbled by a hamstring injury, leaving his status clouded for Sunday's contest against the Ravens.
A.J. Green (WR)	Prob Sun	Toe - 30 / 10 / 18	4-4	4-2-2	+ -
Green sustained a toe injury on his right foot but it is likely he will return to action Sunday against the Broncos.
Jake Fisher (T)	Prob Sun	Back - 24 / 10 / 18	4-5	4-3-2	+ -
Fisher is dealing with a back injury but it is not expected to hinder his availability for Sunday's matchup against the Buccaneers.

Broncos vs. Bengals Prediction