Cincinnati Bengals at Denver Broncos Line

The Cincinnati Bengals are looking for their first win in Denver in nearly 36 years.

The Broncos, meanwhile, are hoping to avoid their first 0-2 start in 12 years.

Denver hasn’t lost its first two games since it started 0-4 in the 1999 season. It was won eight in a row at home against Cincinnati since losing 17-16 to the Bengals on Nov. 9, 1975.

The last two meetings between these teams have been thrilling to say the least.

These two last met on Sept. 13, 2009 in Cincinnati. The Broncos won 12-7 as Brandon Stokley caught a deflected Orton pass and went 87 yards for a touchdown with 11 seconds left.

They last met in Denver on Christmas Eve in 2006. The Broncos held on to win 24-23 when the Bengals’ two-point conversion attempt failed in the final minute.

Odds makers believe the Broncos have the edge Sunday, listing them as a four-point favorite with the total set at 40.

The Bengals may be without rookie quarterback Andy Dalton this week after he took a helmet to the wrist in last Sunday’s 27-17 victory over Cleveland.

Dalton, who is currently listed as questionable, completed 10 of 15 passes for 81 yards and a touchdown in his debut. If he isn’t able to go, the Bengals will start Bruce Gradkowski, who completed 5 of 12 passes for 92 yards and a score while playing the entire second half against the Browns.

Dalton and Gradkowski are likely the least of Denver’s worries as it prepares to face a running attack that netted 139 yards in Week 1. Cedric Benson led the way with a 121-yard effort.

The Broncos, who ranked 31st in the NFL with 154.6 rushing yards allowed per game in 2010, gave up 190 rushing yards to Darren McFadden and the Raiders Monday.

While Kyle Orton, who passed for 304 yards with one touchdown and one interception in a 23-20 loss to Oakland, continues to endure public scrutiny by a Tim Tebow-adoring fan base, it’s evident that Denver’s defense, not Orton, is the problem.

The Denver defense will take a hit if top pass rusher Elvis Dumervil and 10-time Pro Bowl corner Champ Bailey aren’t able to go this week. Both players are currently listed as questionable – Dumervil with a should injury and Bailey with a hamstring injury.

The offense will be dealt a couple big blows as well if top target Brandon Lloyd and starting tailback Knowshon Moreno aren’t available. Lloyd and Moreno are currently listed as probable with groin and hamstring injuries respectively.

The underdog has been the play in this matchup. The team catching the points has covered the spread in five of the last six meetings.

It’s also important to note Denver’s struggles when it plays on a short week. The Broncos are 0-5-1 against the number in their last six Sunday games following a Monday night game.

In regard to the total, the over is worth a look. The Broncos have played to the over in six of their last seven home games. They’ve also finished over the number each of the last nine times they’ve been favored.

Jimmy Boyd’s premium NFL plays went 3-0 last Sunday. Join him against this week for a full slate of premium picks.