GAME: Cincinnati Bengals (8-6) @ Denver Broncos (8-6)
WHEN: Sunday, December 24th, 2006 at 4:15 Eastern
LOCATION: Denver
BROADCAST: CBS with Jim Nantz and Phil Simms. Sirius: 147 (Cincinnati), 130 (Denver)
SB NATION: Mile High Report
Cincinnati Bengals
- The Bengals have won four of their past five games.
- If the Bengals win out this season, they will have back-to-back 10 win seasons for the first time since 1975-76.
- Carson Palmer needs 425 yards passing in the final two games to be the first Bengal quarterback to reach 4,000 in a season.
- Palmer has thrown for two or more touchdowns in six of eight career December starts.
- Palmer has a 96.9 quarterback rating (third in the AFC) and aims to be the first quarterback in club history to have two seasons with a rating of 96.0 or better.
- With one more rushing touchdown, Rudi Johnson will have three straight seasons with 12 rushing touchdowns.
- When Rudi runs 20 times or more, the Bengals are 25-7 with wins in 16 of the past 17 games.
- Chad Johnson has at least five receptions in 80% (72-90) of his career games.
- In each of his two career games against the Broncos, Chad has at least six receptions and one touchdown.
- T.J. Houshmandzadeh leads the team with eight receiving touchdowns.
- The Bengals defense has allowed 17 points or less in four of the past five games.
- With 1.5 sacks, Robert Geathers would be the first Cincinnati defensive lineman to reach 12 sacks in a single-season since Eddie Edwards (13, 1983).
Denver Broncos
- The Broncos are 73-21 at home since Mike Shanahan became head coach in 1995.
- In his first three starts, quarterback Jay Cutler has a passer rating of 90.1 with six touchdowns and three picks.
- If running back Tatum Bell rushes for 73 yards, it will mark the 11th time a Bronco running back reached 1,000 yards rushing under Shanahan.
- Running back Mike Bell has seven rushing touchdowns (tops on the team).
- Wide receiver Javon Walker is the third player in team history to reach 1,000 yards receiving in his first season with the club -- Lionel Taylor (1960), Anthony Miller (1994).
- In five career games against Cincinnati, Rod Smith has 25 receptions and four touchdowns.
- With a start Sunday, center Tom Nalen will reach 188 games played surpassing Paul Howard for 4th most played in team history.
- Champ Bailey has 19 interceptions with Denver. One more and he'll pass Randy Gradishar and Tom Jackson for 9th most in team history.
- Defensive end, Elvis Dumervil is third among NFL rookies with seven sacks.
- With two points, Jason Elam will reach 100 points scored in a season for the 14th straight season -- a new record if accomplished.
OFFENSE
Category | Bengals | Broncos |
Points Scored | 23.8 (7th) | 19.4 (t-17th) |
Passing | 242.0 (5th) | 173.5 (25th) |
Rushing | 102.6 (22nd) | 136.4 (6th) |
Total Offense (yards gained) | 344.6 (7th) | 309.9 (21st) |
DEFENSE
Category | Bengals | Broncos |
Points Allowed | 20.3 (t-14th) | 18.3 (6th) |
Passing | 241.6 (32nd) | 217.5 (22nd) |
Rushing | 109.2 (13th) | 105.4 (12th) |
Total Offense (yards allowed) | 350.9 (29th) | 322.9 (13th) |
Category | Bengals | Broncos | |
Kickoff | Returns Allowed | 21.5 (11th) | 27.1 (29th) |
Return Yards | 19.9 (31st) | 21.4 (24th) | |
Punting | |||
Net Avg. | 38.5 (5th) | 36.8 (t-17th) | |
Gross Avg. | 43.9 (13th) | 41.6 (27th) | |
Punt Return | 7.1 (29th) | 8.0 (24th) | |
Field Goals | FG Made | 23 (t-5th) | 23 (t-5th) |
Pct. (10+ attempts) | 85.2 (13th) | 92% (t-1st) |