Bengals face uphill challenge in Denver without Burrow
The anticipation surrounding the Bengals-Broncos matchup has taken a significant hit following the injury to quarterback Joe Burrow. With Burrow sidelined for this contest and the remainder of the regular season, Cincinnati finds itself in a precarious position. Despite this setback, the Bengals are still holding steady with a 2-1 record, buoyed by a talented skill group featuring Ja’Marr Chase, Tee Higgins, and Chase Brown. This pivotal game, part of a Monday Night Football doubleheader, is set to kick off at 8:15 PM ET in Denver.
Key player props to watch
As the Bengals prepare to face the Broncos, there are several intriguing player prop bets to consider. The following odds highlight potential standout performances:
J.K. Dobbins Over 64.5 Rushing Yards -114 on FanDuel
Troy Franklin Over 3.5 Receptions -114 on FanDuel
Dobbins poised for a breakout performance
J.K. Dobbins has shown promise this season, surpassing 64 rushing yards in two of the first three games. His only miss came in Week 1, where he narrowly finished with 63 yards. In this matchup, he faces a Bengals defense struggling against the run, having recently allowed significant yardage to opposing running backs.
Last week, Cincinnati’s defense was exploited by Jordan Mason, who rushed for 116 yards. The week prior, Travis Etienne also exceeded expectations, recording 71 yards against a defense that has now allowed the sixth-most rushing yards to running backs across the league.
The Bengals’ struggles stem from a lack of depth on their defensive line and linebacking corps, with only Trey Hendrickson standing out as a competent run defender. This vulnerability is stark, particularly in the context of their recent performance, where they have surrendered an alarming average of 145 rushing yards per game over the last two weeks.
Dobbins has received a solid workload this season, averaging 16, 14, and 11 carries in his games, consistently rushing for at least 60 yards. With the Broncos likely to lean heavily on the ground game, Dobbins is expected to see double-digit carries once again, especially given the Broncos’ strong offensive line, which ranks among the best in the league for yards gained before contact.
Franklin’s rise in the passing game
Troy Franklin is another player to watch as he continues to carve out a significant role in the Broncos’ offense. After a lackluster rookie season, Franklin has emerged as a focal point this year, currently leading the NFL in designed targets with seven. This statistic underscores the Broncos’ commitment to getting the ball into Franklin’s hands through specifically designed plays, making him a strong candidate for the receptions prop.
While he recorded at least four receptions in the first two weeks of the season, Franklin missed the mark in his last outing. However, the increase in his playing time is a promising sign; he has been on the field for an impressive 73.7% of the snaps, a substantial jump from the 37.6% he averaged last year.
Moreover, his route participation has seen a notable increase, with an 85.9% participation rate over the past two weeks, the highest on the team. Franklin predominantly operates from the slot, where he runs 68% of his routes. Given that the Bengals allow the 10th-most receptions to slot receivers and the eighth-most targets, Franklin’s matchup looks favorable.
Cincinnati’s defensive scheme, which frequently employs a two-high safety look, has proven beneficial for Franklin. His targets per route run increase by 17% against such defensive alignments, further enhancing his potential for a productive outing.
As the Bengals gear up for this crucial clash in Denver, both Dobbins and Franklin seem primed to make an impact, even as Cincinnati navigates the challenging waters of their season without Burrow.
