The Cincinnati Bengals (7-8) are set to host the Denver Broncos (9-6) in a Week 17 showdown with massive playoff implications for both clubs. Here are five quick storylines to keep an eye on going into Saturday’s game.
1. NFL’s sack title: Bengals DE Trey Hendrickson currently leads the NFL with 13.5 sacks. Broncos OLB Nik Bonitto is tied for fourth with 11.5 sacks (Bonitto also has two defensive touchdowns this fall). If he’s going to have a shot at winning Defensive Player of the Year, Bonitto will likely need to lead the league in sacks. Cincy QB Joe Burrow has been sacked 37 times this fall, tied for ninth-most in the NFL. Denver QB Bo Nix has been sacked 22 times (26th-most).
2. Broncos running back rotation: After Audric Estime led the Broncos in carries (nine) and rushing yards (48) and scored his first NFL touchdown last week, coach Sean Payton said he wants to see more of the rookie going forward. Denver also promoted rookie Blake Watson from the practice squad to the 53-man roster this week, and Tyler Badie (back) opened his window to return from injured reserve. Jaleel McLaughlin returned from a quad injury this week and Javonte Williams remains the team’s best blocking and receiving back, so Estime, Williams and McLaughlin figure to be the top three RBs against the Bengals. It remains to be seen in what order, though.
3. Pat Surtain vs. Ja’Marr Chase: QBs who have targeted Surtain this season have posted a combined passer rating of 39.1, which is worse than their rating would have been had they spiked the ball into into the ground each play (39.6). Chase, meanwhile, leads the NFL in catches (108), receiving yards (1,510) and receiving touchdowns (16). PS2 vs. Chase will be a huge matchup, one that just might decide the game.
Ja’Marr Chase vs Pat Surtain II this week 🍿
Who wins this matchup? pic.twitter.com/rb4kTz3M6Z
— PFF (@PFF) December 24, 2024
4. Bo Nix’s big opportunity: Cincinnati’s defense has allowed 359.9 total yards per game, fifth-most in the NFL. They allow the seventh-most passing yards (231.6) and the fifth-most points per game (26.2) in the league. Hendrickson has had a strong individual season, but collectively, the Bengals’ 30 sacks are the sixth-fewest this year. On paper, this matchup is a good opportunity for Nix to have a big game and go blow-for-blow against an explosive Cincy offense. One area where the Bengals do rank well is turnovers — their 23 takeaways rank eighth in the NFL. After throwing five interceptions in a two-game stretch, Nix protected the ball well against the Los Angeles Chargers last Thursday. He’ll need another clean performance in Cincinnati.
5. NFL playoff implications: The Bengals need to win on Saturday to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Broncos need one win or a tie over the next two weeks to clinch their first playoff berth since 2015. “We have to get to 10 [wins],” Payton said this week. “That’s the first thing. We have to get to 10, let’s focus on that. All our preparation, everything we do — Courtland [Sutton] just said it best, ‘We put ourselves in this position. Let’s take advantage of it.’” If Denver fails to beat or tie Cincy, the AFC’s playoff race will come down to Week 18.
Saturday’s game will be televised on NFL Network. Denver is considered an underdog playing on the road this week.
