NFL Football
2009-09-13 - Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals
A Sports Betting Pick by FirstDown
Preview
Cincinnati will look to improve on their 4-11-1 record from last season and there is a lot of good feelings for them this season. They have been boosted by the return of Carson Palmer at Quarter Back and will focus on their running game as they bid to make the playoffs.
The Bengals finished 3rd in the AFC North last season and it will be tough again for them this year simply because they have to compete with the reigning SuperBowl champions, Pittsburgh, and the ever improving Baltimore Ravens. They were 3-4-1 at home last season but were a disappointing 3-9 against the AFC teams they faced.
Carson Palmer may be back and should be starting on Sunday, but he did receive a number of knocks in the first pre-season game the Bengals played, which meant he did not take part in the other 3 games.
Denver have had an awful off season and the expectations for this team is not as high as it has been in recent seasons. Mike Shanahan was shockingly expelled as Head Coach and then saw franchise Quarter Back, Jay Cutler, traded to the Chicago Bears. To add to the crisis that is bothering the Broncos, Brandon Marshall has asked for a trade from the side.
The Broncos lost 3 straight games at the end of last season to finish 8-8 and somehow give the AFC West title to the San Diego Chargers. They finished 4-4 on the road last season and were 5-7 against their fellow AFC teams.
Kyle Orton, former Chicago Bears back up Quarter Back, is the starter for Denver this season but is suffering from an injury which may mean Chris Simms will start. Marshall is expected to start even though he has not played in pre-season.
Statistics
The teams have split their last 4 meetings, but this is the first time that they have met since 2006 when Denver won by 1 point at Mile High Inveco Field.
Denver have stuggled against AFC teams recently and are 7-21-1 against the spread in their last 29 matches.
Cincinnati have also struggled against the spread in recent matches with AFC sides, going 3-9 recently.
Prediction
The Bengals have high hopes coming into this season but I feel that may be a little misplaced- less so because I dont think that Cincinnati have a strong team, but more because to the division they find themselves in.
Denver have a weak division in comparison to Cincinnati but they are currently in a rebuilding process and I think they are going to struggle on the road without the aid of the high altitude of home games. I have a feeling that they may be one of the weaker sides in the AFC.
I like Cincinnati here to take the win at home. They will be boosted by the return of Carson Palmer and I think they will appreciate having the opportunity of playing Denver who are struggling off the field. I'll take Cincinnati to cover the spread
The Statistics :
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The Pick :
Cincinnati Bengals 24-10 Denver Broncos
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take Cincinnati Bengals -4.5 points
