The Bengals are looking to continue a three-game winning streak and doing so would keep them in the hunt for a postseason berth. Here are five things to know about the matchup with the Broncos:
1. Murky playoff chances
The Bengals still only have a 12 percent chance of making the playoffs if they win Saturday, but they would be knocked out of the picture with a loss. There are six teams in the AFC that already are mathematically eliminated and five locked in, so that leaves two spots up for grabs, but the L.A. Chargers and Broncos would be in if the season ended after 15 games.
If the Broncos lose their final two games, against Cincinnati and the Kansas City Chiefs next week, that would give the Bengals, Colts and Dolphins a chance to get in by winning out. The Bengals would need Indianapolis and Miami to lose at least one more game. The Colts finish with the Giants and Jaguars, and the Dolphins play the Browns and Jets.
Denver’s game against Kansas City next week doesn’t look as intimidating as it would have if the Chiefs hadn’t already clinched the top seed in the AFC, meaning they can rest starters in the finale. But none of that matters if the Bengals don’t take care of their own business first. Quarterback Joe Burrow said that makes this one feel like a playoff game.
“We’ve had a lot of those the last several weeks,” Burrow said. “It feels good to play in big games.”
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
2. Big test for the offense
The Bengals offense has been fun to watch this season, and they’ve put up numbers against some of the best defenses in the league. On Saturday, they will face another good one with Denver allowing just 18.7 points per game (fourth fewest) and leading the league with 51 team sacks.
Former Bengals assistant Vance Joseph, who coached the defensive backs in 2014-15, is the defensive coordinator for the Broncos and brings a high blitz-percentage approach. Outside linebackers Nik Bonitto (11.5 sacks), Jonathon Cooper (8.0) and Jonah Elliss (5.0) and defensive linemen John Franklin-Myers (5.5) and Zach Allen (5.0) all have five sacks or more.
“They’ve got some five-man pressures where you get a lot of one-on-ones and those guys end up winning,” Bengals coach Zac Taylor said. “They get it from a lot of different areas. They get a good pocket push. They run guys down. They’re really athletic, especially those guys who play on the edge - smaller guys who are really athletic. They get a tremendous push inside as well. They’re backers are good blitzers as well. They’ll bring everybody off the edge. Everybody has a part in it and they keep you on your toes that way.”
3. Chase vs. Surtain
One of the more intriguing individual matchups of the season will take the stage Saturday when Bengals wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase goes up against Broncos cornerback Patrick Surtain II.
Chase, who is closing in on the Bengals single-season receptions and touchdown receptions records, still leads the league in all three major receiving categories, as he closes in on the “Triple Crown,” but Surtain will likely be shadowing him for at least much of the game, and he’s considered one of the best corners in the league. They met in 2021 when these two teams last played, and they also were a part of an exciting LSU-Alabama matchup in November 2019 when the Tigers beat the Crimson Tide 46-41 to remain undefeated at 9-0.
“I think he’ll follow him,” Bengals offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher said of Surtain staying on Chase. “I mean that’s been their M.O. He’s done that to a handful of opponents this year, and so I think if they’re willing to do that, I think they would look at us as the team that they deem worthy of that strategy. I don’t know that that’s exclusively what they’ll do. … I would expect a variety of things, but certainly them putting their best player on our best player is something I think we can expect.”
Credit: AP
Credit: AP
4. Can the defense keep it up?
The Bengals defense has shown improvement during the last three games, recording 11 takeaways and holding two of three opponents to 20 points or less in that span. This is a chance to show if the progress is legit, against a team with a winning record.
Cincinnati’s seven wins all have come against teams with sub .500 records.
Just some dudes waiting for gameDEY. pic.twitter.com/SuV3RnRCSO
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) December 26, 2024
Denver has been better known for its defense this year, but its offense seems to be coming along as rookie quarterback Bo Nix gets more reps in the system. The Broncos are coming off a 34-27 loss to the Chargers last week but had won four straight before that and in the last five games, they are averaging 334.6 yards per game. They rank 10th with 314.0 yards per game this season.
Nix is a capable runner, and Burrow said he moves out of the pocket like a veteran and has a stronger arm that people expected. Courtland Sutton has been the most reliable receiver for him, catching 71 passes for 928 yards and six touchdowns. Javonte Williams and Jaleel McLaughlin lead the running game with 485 yards and 388 yards rushing, respectively, while Nix adds 353 yards rushing and four touchdowns on the ground.
5. Injury updates
Cincinnati will get back left tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (fibula) for the first time since the Dec. 1 loss to the Steelers, but five players are listed as questionable, including wide receiver Tee Higgins. Higgins has been limited in practices for the last several weeks as a precaution but now is also listed with a knee and ankle injury.
Right tackle Amarius Mims broke his hand and is among those listed as questionable, but he practiced in full Thursday and is expected to play. Additionally, Geno Stone and Joseph Ossai are dealing with illness but they could both be back in time to play Saturday. Charlie Jones (groin) is the other player in question, while tight end Tanner Hudson (knee) remains doubtful and Sheldon Rankins (illness) still out.
Brown’s return will be key for a Bengals offensive line that has struggled in recent weeks. He’s missed six of the last seven games, including three straight.
Denver only has one player listed as questionable with running back Tyler Badie (back) returning from injured reserve.
SATURDAY’S GAME
Broncos at Bengals, 4:30 p.m., NFL Network, Fox 19, 700, 1530, 102.7, 104.7
About the Author