NFL Week 9 Betting Predictions: Denver Broncos vs. Cincinnati Bengals

Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals
Sunday, 11/4/12, 1:00 PM EST, TV: CBS
Opening Point Spread: Denver -3.5
Current Betting Line: Denver -3.5
Opening Total: 47
Current Total: 48
Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker

The Cincinnati Bengals are 2-0 ATS versus AFC West opponents since 2010

Denver is set to begin its second two-game road swing of the season, coming off a 34-14 win over the New Orleans Saints as six-point home favorites, while going UNDER the total for the first time in three weeks. The Broncos have a great opportunity to push their win streak to three games, considering that quarterback Peyton Manning is 7-0 in his career against Sunday’s opponent. The franchise’s 18-8 record in this series marks its fifth-best record against any foe during the regular season. Denver is 2-0 ATS as a favorite of 3.5 to 9.5 points this season, with both games going UNDER the total.

The Broncos have definitely played their best football in the fourth quarter this year, outscoring opponents by a plus-76 margin in that situation, which ranks first in the NFL by a 30-point margin. Manning has thrown for at least 300 yards in each of Denver’s last five games, which includes a 305-yard performance against the Saints. He’s well on his way to collecting his 12th 4,000-yard season of his career.

Cincinnati has lost and failed to cover the spread in its last three games, with the UNDER cashing in two of those contests. The Bengals are two games behind the Baltimore Ravens and a game behind the Pittsburgh Steelers in the AFC North divisional race. “When we see blood,” commented Bengals offensive tackle Andre Smith. “We just have to finish.” Cincinnati is 2-0 ATS versus AFC West opponents over the last two-plus seasons, with both games going OVER the total.

The Bengals know they are in for quite a challenge defensively, considering that Manning has compiled a 106.9 passer rating in seven games against them. Cincinnati sits 21st in total defense, while tied for 27th in the league with a minus-six turnover differential. Offensively, the team has gotten little out of its ground game over the last three contests, averaging 78.7 yards per game. Starting running back BenJarvus Green-Ellis’ 3.4-yards per carry average ranks 38th in all of football.