Posted:
#1
I am a huge Bengals fan so you may think I'm biased, but I have not picked any of their games wrong this year. I don't pick most of their games because I have a lot emotion invested in them. This is a very tough one to predict.
We've only had a game and a half to see AJ McCarron so that's a very small sample size. And that still isn't telling us much. The game vs. the Steelers he was thrown into the fire and they were playing from behind so he was forced to air it out. Last week against the 49ers, the Bengals offensive game plan was simply to run the ball and not allow AJ to make mistakes. That will not work against the Broncos. So to those claiming the 49ers outgained the Bengals, if you watched the game (I really hope you didn't because it was one of the least entertaining games I've ever seen) you would know why. The Bengals ran the ball, had good field position off turnovers, and after going up 24-0 continued their conservative play calling. They didn't run effectively but that's because the 49ers were daring McCarron to throw. Hue Jackson continued to run on 1st and 2nd down and everyone in the stadium (not many) knew what was coming. Hue's game plan was to ease McCarron into the starter role and I think he'll be more creative and aggressive on Monday. One thing about McCarron in his limited play time is he has thrown the ball well down field. Over his game and a half, he has completed 3 passes that have traveled over 30 yards through the air. Something Dalton didn't do this year in that time span. If the Bengals O-line can give AJ time and a clean pocket, he will be able to succeed with all of his weapons.
However, this game is not just about McCarron. This is a game between two of the leagues best defenses. The Broncos defense is the best in the league in my opinion. They have an a great pass rush with two amazing rushers on the edge and the best pair of cornerbacks in the league. Talib matches up well with AJ Green especially with him being banged up. The Broncos should be able to contain the Bengals run game and force McCarron to throw the ball. The biggest matchup to watch then becomes the Bengals o-line vs. the Broncos pass rush. If Denver can put pressure on AJ and force him into taking sacks and turning the ball over, this one could get ugly. If they aren't able to do so, the Bengals have so many weapons that even the Broncos secondary will have their hands full.
The other back up quarterback in this game is Brock Osweiler. He has struggled lately and hasn't put up a single point in the last two second halves. He seems to be losing confidence and has been more inaccurate as of late. He's had the luxury of playing a prime time game vs the Pats at home, but he didn't necessarily light it up there. But the experience definitely helps. The thing that helped Osweiler succeed in his first few games was the Broncos run game. They were running the ball better than they had all year. But I don't see that being the case against the Bengals. Their D line has been great this year and with Vontaze Burfict back in the middle of their defense, they're a completely different unit. He is the heart of that defense and is all over the field making plays. The Bengals secondary had been banged up the past few weeks but they are getting healthier. If Pacman is plays, which he's expected to, that will be huge for their D.
The Broncos need this game to clinch a playoff spot. If they lose they are putting their playoff lives at jeopardy. They lost a crushing game last week after blowing a big lead. I don't think that matters. Plain and simple, win and they're in. The Bengals can clinch a first-round bye with a win. They really need the bye. 1, to avoid playing Pittsburgh in the first rounds and 2, at hopes that Dalton can come back in the playoffs. Both teams will be highly motivated for this one.
Final thoughts: I initially leaned Denver on this one. McCarron's second start on MNF at Denver against a tenacious defense. But I'm starting to lean the other way. Denver has not been that impressive all season. They've won a lot of close games against average competition where their defense saved them. Their offense is not that good. Now they face one of the better D's in the league and they are going to give Brock a hard time. This game screams under but there could be a lot of turnovers and short fields with these D's and inexperienced QB's so I don't want to go there. I could see value in Denver 1st half. Hue may be hesitant to be aggressive with AJ and Denver has played much better in 1st halves. I'm not sure that I'll pull trigger on anything because this game means too much to me as a fan. But I've seen a lot of people on here claiming Denver as their play of the year and I wouldn't be so sure about that. They could cover but I think the Bengals defense will keep this game close and they could win this game straight up if McCarron doesn't make mistakes.
Would love to hear some thoughts and discuss
We've only had a game and a half to see AJ McCarron so that's a very small sample size. And that still isn't telling us much. The game vs. the Steelers he was thrown into the fire and they were playing from behind so he was forced to air it out. Last week against the 49ers, the Bengals offensive game plan was simply to run the ball and not allow AJ to make mistakes. That will not work against the Broncos. So to those claiming the 49ers outgained the Bengals, if you watched the game (I really hope you didn't because it was one of the least entertaining games I've ever seen) you would know why. The Bengals ran the ball, had good field position off turnovers, and after going up 24-0 continued their conservative play calling. They didn't run effectively but that's because the 49ers were daring McCarron to throw. Hue Jackson continued to run on 1st and 2nd down and everyone in the stadium (not many) knew what was coming. Hue's game plan was to ease McCarron into the starter role and I think he'll be more creative and aggressive on Monday. One thing about McCarron in his limited play time is he has thrown the ball well down field. Over his game and a half, he has completed 3 passes that have traveled over 30 yards through the air. Something Dalton didn't do this year in that time span. If the Bengals O-line can give AJ time and a clean pocket, he will be able to succeed with all of his weapons.
However, this game is not just about McCarron. This is a game between two of the leagues best defenses. The Broncos defense is the best in the league in my opinion. They have an a great pass rush with two amazing rushers on the edge and the best pair of cornerbacks in the league. Talib matches up well with AJ Green especially with him being banged up. The Broncos should be able to contain the Bengals run game and force McCarron to throw the ball. The biggest matchup to watch then becomes the Bengals o-line vs. the Broncos pass rush. If Denver can put pressure on AJ and force him into taking sacks and turning the ball over, this one could get ugly. If they aren't able to do so, the Bengals have so many weapons that even the Broncos secondary will have their hands full.
The other back up quarterback in this game is Brock Osweiler. He has struggled lately and hasn't put up a single point in the last two second halves. He seems to be losing confidence and has been more inaccurate as of late. He's had the luxury of playing a prime time game vs the Pats at home, but he didn't necessarily light it up there. But the experience definitely helps. The thing that helped Osweiler succeed in his first few games was the Broncos run game. They were running the ball better than they had all year. But I don't see that being the case against the Bengals. Their D line has been great this year and with Vontaze Burfict back in the middle of their defense, they're a completely different unit. He is the heart of that defense and is all over the field making plays. The Bengals secondary had been banged up the past few weeks but they are getting healthier. If Pacman is plays, which he's expected to, that will be huge for their D.
The Broncos need this game to clinch a playoff spot. If they lose they are putting their playoff lives at jeopardy. They lost a crushing game last week after blowing a big lead. I don't think that matters. Plain and simple, win and they're in. The Bengals can clinch a first-round bye with a win. They really need the bye. 1, to avoid playing Pittsburgh in the first rounds and 2, at hopes that Dalton can come back in the playoffs. Both teams will be highly motivated for this one.
Final thoughts: I initially leaned Denver on this one. McCarron's second start on MNF at Denver against a tenacious defense. But I'm starting to lean the other way. Denver has not been that impressive all season. They've won a lot of close games against average competition where their defense saved them. Their offense is not that good. Now they face one of the better D's in the league and they are going to give Brock a hard time. This game screams under but there could be a lot of turnovers and short fields with these D's and inexperienced QB's so I don't want to go there. I could see value in Denver 1st half. Hue may be hesitant to be aggressive with AJ and Denver has played much better in 1st halves. I'm not sure that I'll pull trigger on anything because this game means too much to me as a fan. But I've seen a lot of people on here claiming Denver as their play of the year and I wouldn't be so sure about that. They could cover but I think the Bengals defense will keep this game close and they could win this game straight up if McCarron doesn't make mistakes.
Would love to hear some thoughts and discuss
0
just to be safe though, going to tease it
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