Oddsmakers expect the Bengals to defeat an immovable object as an unstoppable force this week
Imagine if the NFL had a playoff selection committee like college football. How much strength of victory would factor into the process? If you only beat losing teams, your playoff case probably wouldn't get strong consideration from the powers that be. That remains the biggest flaw in the Cincinnati Bengals' 7-8 record through 16 weeks. The […]
Imagine if the NFL had a playoff selection committee like college football. How much strength of victory would factor into the process? If you only beat losing teams, your playoff case probably wouldn't get strong consideration from the powers that be.
That remains the biggest flaw in the Cincinnati Bengals' 7-8 record through 16 weeks. The Bengals are 7-1 against losing teams and 0-7 against winning teams, somehow making it to Christmas without beating a single playoff-caliber team while still remaining playoff eligible.
Enter the Denver Broncos (9-6), who are 7-0 against losing teams and 2-6 against winning teams this year. An unstoppable force meets an immovable object this Saturday, and the oddsmakers favor one side over the other.
Bengals emerge as favorites over Broncos in Week 17
With all of their playoff hopes on the line, the Bengals are expected to extend their winning streak to four games when they face the Broncos on Saturday. Oddsmakers have the Bengals as three-point favorites at home in a must-win matchup.
While home teams usually receive a slight points spread advantage, the Bengals have yet to beat a winning team like the Broncos, and the Broncos have yet to lose to a losing team such as the Bengals. The sportsbooks are expecting that to change.
The Bengals are 2-3 straight up when favored by three points or more at home this season. Their two wins came against the Las Vegas Raiders back in Week 9 and the Cleveland Browns this past Sunday. Two of their three losses came against winning teams—the Washington Commanders and the Pittsburgh Steelers—with the lone losing team being the New England Patriots.
It's fitting that for the Bengals to keep their playoff hopes alive, they'll have to do something they've yet to accomplish this season. Six of their seven losses to winning teams have been by seven points or fewer. A close game is certainly expected this week, but an outright win for the Bengals would be the first of its kind against this kind of opponent.
Bengals will have to wait until after Christmas for their playoff hopes to receive needed help
Cincinnati didn’t get the help it needed in Week 16.
