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LAST WEEK’S RESULT
Prediction: Pittsburgh 17, Denver 26
Actual: Pittsburgh 17, Denver 24
BACKGROUND
Don’t look now, but the Denver Broncos have made a move into relevance.
They have also played one of the most challenging schedules in the NFL this year and, in actuality, have completed a stretch of games that are among the most difficult (judging by opponents’ win percentage) of any in the last 50 years.
And they are only a game out of playoff contention.
They have also, in the last two weeks, benefited from the kind of luck and boneheaded play by opponents that alluded them or that they themselves were committing earlier this year. They have taken care of the football. They have had timely big plays. They have exhibited a “no quit” attitude.
How long can this last? Can they run the table of their last 5 games? I do not know.
Can they beat the Cincinnati Bengals? Yes, they can. They will.
KEY MATCH UP
Jeff Driscol will be making his first start as an NFL quarterback against the Broncos’ defense and this is a defense that has been one of the best in the league over the last four weeks – weeks in which they have faced some of the most potent offenses in the league and have shut them down. Can Driscol fare better than the likes of Mahomes, Rivers and Rothlisberger?
That seems unlikely.
X-FACTOR
The X-Factor on Sunday is turnovers. The only way Denver might lose this contest is if they turn the ball over – a trait that they have avoided in the last few games. If they take care of the ball, they will take care of the Bengals. Cincinnati can beat the Broncos if they win the turnover battle. If it’s a draw, advantage Denver.
PREDICTION
The Broncos have historically not fared well in the early time slot for games and they have fared horribly here under Vance Joseph, losing all of the games he’s coached that have kicked off before noon local time.
That trend gets broken on Sunday. Beating the Bengals – the very wounded Bengals – should be the easiest test of Denver’s last 5 games. A win here keeps Denver rolling towards post season. It doesn’t get them in, but it does get them closer.
And There Came a Day... 