Bengals Face Uphill Battle Against Broncos as Major Underdogs
Cincinnati’s Struggles Continue
The Cincinnati Bengals find themselves in a challenging position as they prepare for a Monday night matchup against the Denver Broncos. With a consensus betting line marking them as 7.5-point underdogs, the Bengals are under pressure to turn around their season after a disheartening 48-10 loss to the Minnesota Vikings. This defeat marked the worst margin of loss in franchise history, leaving Cincinnati with a record of 1-2 against the spread and 2-1 overall.
The Bengals’ woes are exacerbated by the absence of star quarterback Joe Burrow, who is expected to be sidelined for at least three months due to ongoing issues stemming from a persistently poor offensive line. This line has struggled for a decade, and their inability to protect Burrow has finally culminated in a serious setback for the team.
Defensive Challenges Ahead
Head coach Zac Taylor addressed the team’s offensive struggles following the Minnesota loss, emphasizing that the blame does not rest solely on the offensive line. “This is a collective effort. I didn’t see the line have one turnover today. Okay? I saw a bunch of other guys have five. I didn’t see one of those from the linemen. So very clearly, this is on the entire team. The first half, the offense really struggled. We did not put our team in a great spot, and it’s as simple as that,” Taylor stated.
As the Bengals gear up for the Broncos, the offensive line will face a daunting task. Denver’s defense is formidable, currently tied for third in the league with seven sacks and boasting an impressive 36.1% pressure rate on opposing quarterbacks. The injury to starting right guard Dalton Risner only adds to the Bengals’ concerns, as they will need to find immediate solutions to protect whoever steps in at quarterback.
Looking Ahead
With the Bengals positioned as the third-biggest underdog of the week, they must rally to maintain their postseason hopes. The game against the Broncos will be a critical test of their resilience and ability to adapt under duress. As they head into this matchup, the focus will undoubtedly be on how they can mitigate the effects of Burrow’s absence and tackle the challenges posed by a robust Broncos defense.
While the odds may be stacked against them, the Bengals will look to prove their doubters wrong on the national stage. As the game approaches, fans are left wondering if Cincinnati can rise to the occasion and find a way to secure a much-needed victory.
