NFL Week 3 Preview: Cincinnati Bengals Vs. Denver Broncos — Injury Update, Fantasy Football Projections, Vegas Odds


Andy Dalton and the Cincinnati Bengals hope to hand Trevor Siemian and the Denver Broncos their first loss of the season as they welcome the defending Super Bowl champions to Paul Brown Stadium on Sunday for their NFL Week 3 matchup. The Broncos haven’t lost an official NFL game since December of last year when they lost to the Steelers in Pittsburgh by a touchdown. The following week, they hosted and defeated the Bengals in overtime. It was the first of seven consecutive wins, including last year’s NFL Playoffs. On Sunday, Denver looks to extend that winning streak to eight games.

NFL Week 2 Results

The most recent loss for both the Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos came at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers. In fact, the last two losses for Cincinnati were to Pittsburgh. Unfortunately for the Bengals, the most recent loss was just last week. Before that, it was the first round of last year’s NFL Playoffs. While a controversial call near the end of the game could have completely changed things if ruled a down, the Steelers still got the 24-16 win over their division rivals. Meanwhile, the Denver Broncos improved to 2-0 after two home games. To leave Week 3 still undefeated, they’ll have to get their first road win in Cincy.

NFL Week 2: Trevor Siemian and Devontae Booker of the Denver Broncos [Image by Dustin Bradford/Getty Images]

According to the standard fantasy football scoring provided by the NFL, neither Andy Dalton (20.54) nor Trevor Siemian (11.44) were top 10 performers at the quarterback position in Week 2. Neither team had a tight end with big numbers in Week 2, and neither Mike Nugent (8.00) nor the Bengals defense (6.50) cracked the top 15. On the other hand, Brandon McManus (14.00) and the Broncos defense (22.50) finished top five. No receivers from either team managed to break the top 25 in Week 3. And with 117 total offensive yards and a touchdown, Cincinnati’s Giovani Bernard (18.10) edged out Denver’s C.J. Anderson (17.60) at running back.

Week 3 Injury And Suspension Updates

According to an injury report for NFL Week 3 from CBS Sports, Cincinnati looks pretty healthy going into Week 3. Tight end Tyler Eifert could make his first appearance of the 2016 NFL season this week. He is listed as questionable for Sunday’s game against Denver, while his ankle injury continues to heal. Meanwhile, linebacker Vontaze Burfict sits out the third and final game of his suspension.

The Denver Broncos are also looking pretty healthy as they travel to Cincinnati for Week 3’s game. Wide receiver Bennie Fowler saw limited practice on Wednesday and is listed as questionable with an elbow injury for Sunday’s game against the Bengals.


RELATED REPORTS BY THE INQUISITR


Bengals vs. Broncos: Vegas Odds

As early as Tuesday morning, gambling lines had already been set for Week 3 of the NFL, including the Bengals vs. Steelers matchup. As reported by Bleacher Report, the Bengals are currently considered 3.5-point favorites as the home team on Sunday afternoon. The over/under is 41. The Broncos won the Denver vs. Cincinnati matchup in 2015 at home in overtime. In 2014, the Bengals won at home by nine. If the trend continues in 2016, the Vegas odds showing the Bengals winning a close one at home will prove accurate.

Bengals vs. Steelers: Fantasy Football Projections

Neither starting quarterback is expected to have an outstanding performance in Week 3, with projections putting Andy Dalton at just 11.28 points. C.J. Anderson (10.70) is the only running back from Sunday’s game projected to earn double-digit fantasy points. No receivers from either team are projected to break the top 25 at their position for Week 3. A.J. Green (5.94) missed practice this week due to the birth of his son but will be back for Sunday’s game. Both Emmanuel Sanders and Demaryius Thomas are projected to earn 7.60 points for the Broncos. If Tyler Eifert (11.30) can return at full strength, he’s projected to be a top-five tight end in Week 3, while the Broncos don’t have any tight ends projected to score even two fantasy points. The Bengals defense is projected to score 5.50, while the Broncos defense is at 3.00.

Where To Watch Cincinnati At Pittsburgh

The NFL Week 3 matchup between the Cincinnati Bengals and Denver Broncos will air live from Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. The game will be televised on CBS and NFL RedZone with coverage beginning at 1:00 p.m. EST. For fans on the road, the game can also be heard on Westwood One Sports. Tickets are still available to purchase for fans who want to see the Denver Broncos and Cincinnati Bengals live on Sunday, September 25.

[Featured Image Andy Lyons/Getty Images]

Share this article: NFL Week 3 Preview: Cincinnati Bengals Vs. Denver Broncos — Injury Update, Fantasy Football Projections, Vegas Odds
More from Inquisitr