NFL preseason betting is in full swing and week 1 continues tonight as the Denver Broncos play the Cincinnati Bengals. We've got the full analysis and betting selection. Make Oddsbay your home for the best NFL handicapping information all season long!
DENVER BRONCOS AT CINCINNATI BENGALS—4:00 PM PACIFIC
The Denver Broncos open their 2010 NFL preseason campaign as they travel to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals. Bengals already have a game under their belt, even if it was a listless loss against Dallas in the Hall of Fame Game. Broncos are a banged up team and may spend much of the preseason just trying to get everyone healthy. Denver had already lost their top two running backs in Knowshon Moreno (hamstring) and Correll Buckhalter (back) and newly acquired LenDale White left Friday’s practice with an apparent leg injury. Right guard Chris Kuper—who was the team's only returning starter along the offensive line—also left practice with a hurt ankle. The sad thing is that the defense may be in worse shape. The biggest loss is Elvis Dumervil, the NFL sacks leader from last season, who is likely out for the season with a torn chest muscle. His primary backup, Jarvis Moss, will miss several weeks with a broken hand. Since the start of training camp 13 players have missed time at camp so far due to injury and two players—wide receiver Kenny McKinley and safety Josh Barrett—have suffered season-ending injuries.
Obviously the Dumervil loss is of monumental significance. It means that the Broncos not only lose his pass rushing and playmaking ability, but his absence will force an already rebuilding defensive line to retool itself once again. A number of players will be forced to play out of position or in positions they weren’t expecting to. Cohesion is as important ‘in the trenches’ as it is to skill position players, if not more so. It’s now necessary for Denver’s defensive players to get used to their new roles and, more significantly, to get used to playing as a unit.
That task will be made more difficult against a Cincinnati team with an additional week of preparation and a game under their belt. Although no one is panicking at this point, the biggest negative coming out of the Hall of Fame Game against Dallas was the lack of productivity from the first team offense. They won’t play much here, but look for offense to be a bigger priority for the Bengals in this game. The Cincy defense did a good job against Dallas, and they could have a field day against a couple of young Bronco quarterbacks—Brady Quinn and Tim Tebow will see most of the action and they could be running for cover behind a rebuilding offensive line.
We’re not fond of laying points in NFL preseason betting, but Cincinnati looks to be the right side in this game. We’re getting the healthier, better prepared team at home with a game under their belt. Denver’s primary concern this week at least will be trying to avoid further injuries and get their players used to playing in new roles. That’s not a mindset conducive to a winning effort on the road.
PLAY CINCINNATI -3’ OVER DENVER
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