NFL Week 4 Doubleheader: Bengals vs. Broncos Showdown Tonight

DENVER, Colorado — The Cincinnati Bengals will face the Denver Broncos tonight in the final game of a Week 4 NFL doubleheader. Kickoff is scheduled for 8:15 p.m. ET at Empower Field at Mile High.

This matchup sees both teams entering with identical records of 1-2, making this a pivotal early-season clash. The Broncos are favored by 7.5 points as they look to maintain their dominance at home, having won their last six games at this venue.

For the Bengals, the absence of their star quarterback Joe Burrow, who is recovering from surgery for a turf toe injury, presents a significant hurdle. Jake Browning will take over as the starting quarterback and faces a challenging environment against the Broncos’ strong defense.

In their last outing, the Bengals struggled against the Minnesota Vikings, racking up only 140 passing yards in a decisive 48-10 loss. Receiver Tee Higgins managed just one catch for 15 yards in that game, raising questions about his chemistry with Browning.

On the other hand, the Broncos’ running back J.K. Dobbins has been performing well, covering his rushing prop of 64.5 yards in two of the last three games. Dobbins is expected to be heavily featured in the ground game against a Bengals defense that has allowed 119 rushing yards per game.

Wide receiver Ja'Marr Chase has been a critical player for Cincinnati, with high expectations for targets, particularly given the team’s reliance on him in Burrow’s absence. Recent performances suggest that he will continue to be a key focus for Browning tonight.

The Bengals will also rely on running back Chase Brown, who has shown promise as a pass catcher. He recorded four receptions last week and looks to continue that momentum against a Broncos defense that had issues covering running backs in previous games.

In terms of betting lines, the total for this game is set at 44.5 points, with trends indicating a potentially low-scoring affair. Historical data shows that the under has hit in four of the Broncos’ last five home games.

As the game approaches, both teams are looking for a much-needed victory to shift the momentum in their favor early in the season. Fans are eager to see how the reshuffled Bengals’ lineup will perform against a Broncos team that has struggled to find consistency.

This matchup marks a crucial test for both teams as they aim to gain traction in the competitive AFC.