Kyle Orton can’t fight the fact that he’s Kyle Orton – and an injured Kyle Orton at that.

We don’t know the status of Either Orton or Simms, So I wouldn’t be shocked to see Brandstater come in at some point. I do respect Palmer though, and I see 1 or 2 touchdowns out of him in the first half before the Bronco D finds a groove. I think the reason the Bengals are just about universally picked in this game is because its “known” that there is just no way on earth that the Bronco D could be that much better this year…. we shall see. On that note [and because I DO think they are better this year] I think the game revolves around who ends up with significant minutes at QB for Denver, and the Bengal’s D. Unless the Bengals D-line brings something that no one has seen yet, I don’t think they man-handle our O-line. I also think we all will learn a little about Orton and how much McDaniels holds back in his pre-season game-planning. I am a little concerned on that aspect of the game, I must admit. I am trying hard to put the rookie QB’s game 4 performance out of my mind, because I am sure McD already has… hasn’t he?? = )
Good luck to all you Bengal Fans, seems like these games always end up with a surprise performer one way or another, can’t wait to see how this one falls out.

 Broncos fans keep talking about your improved D, but Cincy’s “D” has also had some huge upgrades this year….and No, McDaniels is not going to be some kind of Bronco Magician. Spoiler alert, there is a compartment at the bottom of the hat where the bunny fits in… and not even McDaniels could pull a win out of this hat.

Cincy 24, Denver 9

I don’t think McDaniels needs to nor do I think the fans expect him to pull a bunny out of the hat. I think this game goes to the team with the fewest mistakes or lapses. I think both teams are in similar positions as far as expectations. Both have upgrades they feel are better than the general consensus, and both have players coming in with question marks.
As far as the NE game, ya, I saw it… I pay attention ANYTIME someone outplays the Pats = ) I would have to soft-peddle a bit and say that the NE O-line is down a bit, and Denver’s, well I don’t think Denver has seen it’s true potential yet, and that is in spite of being one of the top five last season. I also think that conventional wisdom degrades our defense out of tradition more than through hard facts and analysis. We are MUCH improved against the run, and you had one of the better rushing units this preseason. Should be a fun game, and one both teams need.
This thread is for predictions… a Bronco prediction isn’t an attack on the Bengals, and I don’t take a Bengal prediction quite the same way as I would one saying I view McDaniels as a “magician”. He is a first year HC with a lot to prove, albeit one with an acceptably qualified resume.
Good luck!

i predict 31-10 over the broncos. as i’ve said several times, their team this offseason reminds of me the bengals last year, and i don’t see them playing a solid game to open the season, whereas i think marvin’s going to have his guys fired up at least for the opener, a la the opener against baltimore (deceptive as it was) a couple years ago. how it goes beyond that is anybody’s guess, because this team has a history of inconsistency. if they play to their potential, there’s no reason they can’t be 13-3; that’d be my overly optimistic prediction. if they get the standard dose of bengals luck and play with their usual inconsistency, then 9-7 or 10-6 is more likely. worst case scenario, if carson palmer stays healthy, is 6-10. lose carson and 5-11 or worse.

In a game not nearly that close (4 short field goals for the Broncos).

This Denver team is better than any of the last 3 at least…hands down.

Sorry and respectfully, but Denver rolls.

“WRs, Bengals hands down”

u say they have such good experience and numbers but Ocho Stinko didnt do squat last year, Coles has has 1 1000 yard year in the past 5. Chris Henry has never been consistent and then u say a guy who has barely played.

Meanwhile Brandon Marshall is second in the past two years in the league in receptions, missed a game last year and still had 104 catches. Tops in fourth quarter catches in the nfl. and has posted two 1,200 yard years in a row. Eddie Royal set nfl all time rookie records last year and is even better. Stokley is a nicklebacks nightmare. Gaffney is also a solid reciever. If ocho cinco comes back we will cal him vs marshall a tie. But id take royal over coles, gaffney over henry, and stokley over caldwell.

an if any Denver fans need an explanaition. just ask

Just like the Bengals will have a hard time covering Stokley and Gaffney. The Broncos will struggle to cover Henry and Caldwell. Try and put 5"9’ alphonso smith on 6"4’ Chris Henry. Thats not a good match up. And where is Marshall in this Equation? he’s the biggest wildcard. Is he even inserted into the playbook yet? If hes in the game and the #1 Wideout, then fine, he’s the best on the field. And i love Eddie Royal, if Denver’s Offense can reach its potential then Royal should catch 100 balls. But Stokley hasnt done anything, and is just getting older. And isnt Gaffney hurt? Chad Ocho johnson is back. I’m sure of it. Add Coles and Caldwell. And we have the deepest WR corps in the league. On defense, is Champ… well champ? The Bengals have one of the best tandem at CB’s in the league. If the Bengals pass rush comes through, watch what these guys can do.

Where are we going to get a pass rush? Where are the Broncos getting their rush? Dumerville and? Sure Doom is a great pass rusher. But he gets knocked around in the run game. I bet Doom will get a sack because Whitworth is so tall. But the Bengals have looked good with their blitzes. Maualuga and Rivers have been all over the place. While Michael Johnson has looked like a freak. But Ryan Clady should hold down the left side. He is the Best pass protecting LT in the league. And Daniel Graham will pick up the blitzes.

When it comes to the run game. Its a push based on matchups. Denver has the better rushing attack. but their rush defense was so bad last season, and they really didnt do too much to improve it. Kenny Peterson has looked good. But im not sold on Ron Fields. And the Bengals D was good against the run last season, and should get better with out additions and growth of young players.

Then theres the QB. Its not a question, and it shouldnt be discussed.

One of my best friends in a lifelong Broncos fan.

i meant, what players were signed? a bunch of nobodys. dont get me wrong, it could work out. and im not all about over spending on big names. But you signed guys at dont fit you scheme, failed to draft any 3-4 defensive lineman, and are switching schemes

RE: 98 A. Odom, 93 M.Johnson, 92 F. Rucker
DT: 94 Peko, 90 P.Sims, 99 Tank Johnson
LE: 91 Geathers, 68 Fanene
WLB: 55 Rivers, 59 B.Johnson
MLB: 57 Dhani Jones, 52 Hodge
SLB: 58 Maualuga 53, Jeanty

You may not know who B. Johnson or R. Jeanty are. But both of these had around 100 tackles for the Bengals last season. What other team can say that about their backup LBs?

shouldn’t mike brown eat the remaining tickets and get ad revenue and raise fan interest?

But, on to the predictions:

Bengals win pretty easily this week, 24-10, and will go 8-8 on the season. Denver should be pretty bad this season and they have QB issues already.

 For 2009, I’ve been between 6-7 wins all off-season, but the schedule has some easy stretches and Marvin seems to really believe this year. 8 wins.

chris henry isnt good. if you’re going by stats which you are chris henry has never had over 36 receptions and 605 yards in a year. He sucks.

we arent talking about the past either with the cbs or safeties. Roy williams couldnt cover a second grader. Yeah he can run up and make a tackle but his coverage skills are worse than most of your d lineman’s.

“Okay, so Reid was behind Cato June in Indy”

umm try again he played d tackle, get your facts right. He is only 27. and last year as a backup he still had 30 tackles and 2 sacks.

and Andra Davis is hardly ever hurt, hasnt missed a game in the past two years.

you’re linebackers are so overrated as well. Dhani Jones is a solid leader but not good. Keith Rivers. All i know is that the guy got pretty much knocked out by a WR. and maualuga needs a lot of discpline before he starts becoming a good backer. He over runs so many plays, and he may miss a few games this year with broken ankles, he would miss “quick” backs in college. Boy he is in for trouble his first year or two.

i cant believe bengals fans think they will go 8-8. They have one of the worst o lines in the league, mediocre backs AT BEST. a qb who hasnt played in a while and no goo d tight ends. Their safeties will get beaten like a drum this year. Their backers arent very good in coverage. Yes they have two promising corners, but who after that.

no solid pass rushers, pretty solid at run stopping but cant get enough pressure on the qb. After reviewing the schedule im saying 6-10.

Denver at Cincinnati
 When: 1:00 PM ET
Watch: CBS
More scouting reports: Week 1
Scouts Inc. Position Advantage
QB-Cin RB-Den WR-Cin OL-Den DL-Cin LB-Den DB-Den ST-Cin Coach -Cin
         
 

After breaking down film of both teams, Scouts Inc. offers 10 things to watch for in this week’s Bengals-Broncos matchup.

1. Denver needs to control the clock as well as the line of scrimmage. Denver is not apt to be a quick strike team this year and will need to pound the ball and sustain long scoring drives in order to be successful. Head coach Josh McDaniels knows that the Bengals can strike quick and will want to keep the ball out of QB Carson Palmer’s hands.

2. Expect the Broncos to run a lot of off-tackle plays: Denver has a good stable of powerful ball carriers with Correll Buckhalter and LaMont Jordan toting the ball and can give the defense a change of pace ball carrier in rookie Knowshon Moreno. They will want to attack the Bengals on the perimeter where they can wear down the smaller defensive ends and outside linebackers.

3. Denver will look to prevent the big play: Denver lacks the big play defenders that can pressure the pocket on a consistent basis and will need to provide quality help over the top for their cornerbacks. They may give up their share of short passes but will look to keep at least a couple defenders back deep to prevent Cincinnati’s speedy receivers from turning a short pass into a long gain.

4. Look for the Broncos to use a lot of trickery up front: Since the Broncos are apt to struggle when it comes to bringing a lot of heat with their base package, expect them to use a lot of twists and stunts to try and confuse the offensive line for the Bengals. This also allows Denver to blitz their linebackers from different angles which can create mismatches as Cincinnati tries to match up against speed.

5. Look for Denver to flood zones with their multiple receiver sets: Denver will run out of a trips set for most of the game, employing a single back with no lead blocker. But when they try to throw the ball, they will generally flood areas of the field at different levels in order to force the secondary to pick who they want to focus on.

6. Cincinnati will try to get Chad Ochocinco involved early: He is their best threat both for the deep ball as well as underneath routes. If he gets on a roll from the start, he can be very difficult to control. Cincinnati has a relatively pedestrian ground game and will need to move the ball through the air if they want to move the chains on a consistent basis.

7. Expect the Bengals to take some shots downfield: Head coach Marvin Lewis and offensive coordinator Bob Bratkowski want to score early and force Denver into a catch-up game and the best way to do that is to strike with a long ball, or two, looking to both Ochocinco and Chris Henry who both possess the speed to take it all the way once they can get behind the secondary.

8. Cincinnati needs to create turnovers: The Bengals have struggled to prevent long drives by their opponents and will need to find ways to stop the bleeding. One of the best ways to stop a drive is to create a turnover.The secondary will play aggressive coverage and for tacklers to try and strip the ball from the ball carriers in this game.

9. Look for Cincinnati to try and take away Denver’s ground game: With all of the changes that have taken place in Denver, the Bengals are going to try and force them to throw the ball in order to create turnovers in the form of interceptions. The Broncos had six interceptions in the preseason, second most in the AFC, and starting QB Kyle Orton has struggled getting used to his receivers and the new system.

10. Matchup to watch: Denver DE Elvis Dumervil vs. Cincinnati LOT Andrew Whitworth: Dumervil led the Broncos in sacks with five last year and this year he will be coming from a more natural position, outside linebacker. This allows defensive coordinator Mike Nolan to move Dumervil around and send him from different angles to make it more difficult to find him. Whitworth needs to contain Dumervil and limit his opportunities to get to Palmer.

Prediction
 Denver 20
Cincinnati 21

The team we are playing against pads their stats against Raiders and Chiefs 4 times every year.
The best team in their division wasn’t the chronically underachieving/overvalued Chargers. (that’s 6 games…)
This year we don’t have to play the 1×2,2×2, 3, 4, 5, 7, & 11 (for a total of 9 games) ranked Defenses this year, instead we get to play the Broncos 29th ranked D!
Our QB who led us to 3 straight years of top 12 offense is coming back.
We improved on our 12th ranked D significantly this offseason

I’d be worried if…
One of the best QBs in the league was traded to for one of the most mediocre
One of the best coaches of all time was canned for somebody unproven
my defense basically lost all our games for us last year
One of the most talented recievers in the game is on my team… but doesn’t want to play for us (granted a problem for bengals last year)
Last year my team padded their stats against defenses ranked 31×2, 27×2, 26, 25×2, 24, 23 (total of 9 games…)

Sorry I’m not buying the Broncos this year. We’re two teams going in different directions.

Bengals 27-13

Every Bronco fan that says differently is lying. lol. I respect the team pride though

I’ll add my two cents:

Broncos 31 – Bengals 17

Moreno runs for over 100 yards, Hillis over 75 with a couple TDs. Our defense has a field day on Palmer much to everyone’s surprise. Palmer and Ocho team up for a couple timely scores, but it isn’t enough.

Man, I love being 0 – 0. :)

Broncos are hurting at qb and rb not to mention there defense well it sucks they gave up 5 yards a carry last year the Bengals hve improved alot and the Broncos will find that out come Sunday my prediction Bengals 27 Broncos 16

This “my team is better than your team” talk is just that; a bunch of talk. Me, I don’t know before the game if My X is going to knock the crap out of your O or vice versa, but on the whole it looks like these to clubs are fairly evenly matched. Each has strengths that match up well with the others weakness. Should be pretty close. 21-20 sounds about right. Since I’m a Bronco fan, I hope it’ll be them but realize it could go the other way. We’ll find out soon enough.

Neither team is getting a fair look from most fans and media sources. That’s evident, even in some of the comments above.

I just pray nobody gets seriously hurt and both beat up on the Steelers.