Live Blog: Denver Broncos at Cincinnati Bengals - First Half

Cincinnati Bengals	Monday, December 22, 2014 - 6:30 PM MDT			Denver Broncos
	AVG. YDS (RNK)	TEAM CATEGORY	AVG. YDS (RNK)
	22nd	Pass Off.	4th
	6th	Rush Off.	16th
	14th	Pass Def.	16th
	25th	Rush Def.	2nd
9-4-1	Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH			11-3
2nd AFC North	Spread: -3.5			1st AFC West
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The Denver Broncos can secure a first round bye with a win tonight, which is slightly more to play for than the Cincinnati Bengals who won't know their playoff fates until their showdown with the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday Night Football next weekend. Still, the Bengals can secure a playoff spot with a win, which is also something worth fighting hard for.

I just have a feeling that the story tonight will be the Broncos defense and Andy Dalton. Dalton has proven to come up woefully short when he is harassed and harassing quarterbacks is the specialty of two Bronco defenders in particular - Von Miller and DeMarcus Ware. The outcome of this game will likely weight heavily on their shoulders. If they play like they have played most of the season, then the Broncos will run away with this game easily.

If not, then it will come down to Peyton Manning and the Broncos offense. Fortunately, I think that also favors the Broncos heavily in this game. It is the NFL, however, so anything can and will happen in games. It's important for the Broncos to keep their turnovers on offense low, as well as, their drive-killing penalties. The defense just needs to be stout in the red zone and get to Dalton as many times as possible tonight.

We also have history on our side tonight...

Prediction: Broncos 27, Bengals 16.

What is your prediction, Broncos Country?

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