NFL Week 9 Picks: The Cincinnati Bengals Upset the Denver Broncos

The Denver Broncos are off to a really good start led by four-time MVP quarterback Peyton Manning. The Broncos are playing good football as they head to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals.

The Bengals are not getting as much hype as the Broncos, but they have the talent to upset Denver in Week 9.

This game sets up as a letdown for the Broncos as they walk into a trap game against the well-rested Bengals.

Odds and Consensus

The NFL odds represent the first sign that the Bengals can beat the Broncos.

The football odds for this game opened with Denver as (-3) point favorites over the Bengals.

That number is rising, and currently the Broncos are as high as (-4) point favorites.

The reason for the betting-line movement is due to the public betting heavily on the Broncos. According to the latest NFL consensus report, the Broncos are attracting 88 percent of the action in this big game.

As many NFL handicappers know, the public is wrong more than they are right, making the Bengals an attractive bet on Sunday.

Well-Rested

The Bengals spent Week 8 in the NFL enjoying a bye, and the Broncos spent the week dismantling the New Orleans Saints.

Peyton Manning dissected the Saints, but due to the extra rest, the Bengals have the edge.

The Bengals took advantage of the bye week and reevaluated where they are at. Head coach Marvin Lewis informed quarterback Andy Dalton that now is the time to take control of this team (via The Denver Post):

"

We want Andy to take control of the football team. This is his offensive football team. Take control, and let's drive this thing forward. A year ago everything was new and now he has an understanding of what he needs to do, let's go do it and be great at it.

"

Dalton is up to the challenge, and if he can duplicate his last performance against the Broncos, the end result will be a victory.

Dalton to A.J. Green...Again

In the last meeting between these two teams, Andy Dalton put on a show.

Dalton amassed 332 yards through the air and two scores in a 24-22 Bengals defeat.

Deep pass-catching threat A.J. Green ended the game with 124 yards receiving and has only improved since the last meeting. Green had one touchdown in that game and so far has seven touchdowns in seven games.

Green is Dalton’s favorite target, and it will be very interesting to see how Broncos defender Champ Bailey will try and stop him.

Dalton is looking for another great performance, but this time, the Bengals will win.

Get to Manning

For the Cincinnati Bengals defense, the main target is Peyton Manning.

Manning is on pace for another MVP season and is getting comfortable with his new teammates. Manning’s numbers are unreal. Manning has thrown for over 300 yards in five straight games with a very elite TD/INT ratio of 14/1 on the season.

Manning is listed as probable on the Broncos injury list with a sore thumb. Manning still played in the game against the Saints after the injury, so it is not expected to slow him down.

The Bengals defense definitely has its work cut out for it, but if there is one thing it does well, it's rush the passer.

The Bengals rank third in the NFL in sacking the quarterback with 23 sacks on the season. Defensive end Michael Johnson is off to a great start and will pressure Manning all day long.

Prediction

The Bengals need this win to break a losing streak and get back into the AFC North divisional race.It gets even better for the Bengals as another upset is likely to happen in the division.

Marvin Lewis has used the bye week to get his team focused and ready to go. Dalton comes into this game with confidence after his last game against the Broncos and will take control of this offense.

The Bengals can put enough pressure on Peyton Manning to keep this game interesting and will be backed by the hometown crowd.

The Bengals take the early lead in this game and hold off Manning for the impressive win.

Final: Bengals 27, Broncos 20 

James Brown is a B/R featured columnist and can be followed on Twitter. Feel free to contact James at [e-mail]. He also is a contributor at Bookie Blitz, a sports picks website.