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Despite Cincinnati playing host to the Denver Broncos this weekend at Paul Brown Stadium, the Bengals enter the week as three-point underdogs and may we add, that seems somewhat generous. Aside from the fact Cincinnati has lost 11 of their last 19 games at home, the Bengals appear destined for more than a situational and inspirational underdog role.
In seven career games, Peyton Manning has never lost to the Cincinnati Bengals, winning all seven meetings. And it's not like Manning has declined into some has-been quarterback; he's surpassed 300 yards passing in five straight with at least three touchdowns in the last four. Additionally the Bengals have lost 10 of their previous 12 games against the Broncos and four of the past six when the game is played in Cincinnati.
It's not that we're expecting the Bengals to lose or become the victims of a shameless blow out. We're just a little unsure how that number was calculated; Cincinnati is clearly playing poorly right now and they've historically lost against Manning and the Denver Broncos. So three-point underdog seems a bit generous.