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The prediction below may come as a surprise. Defense ultimately will decide Monday night's game for the Cincinnati Bengals as they face one of their toughest challenges this season. But sometimes, the best defense can be a really good offense. Cincinnati's best course of action against the Denver Broncos will be to play keep-away from Peyton Manning by controlling the game clock. Only twice this season have the Bengals won a game without leading in time of possession. All of their losses and the lone tie came when they lost the time of possession battle. The best way a team can keep the clock on its side is to run the ball well and often. That means being effective on the ground on first and second down, and to avoid third-and-long scenarios as much as possible. In last week's win over the Browns, the Bengals committed early to the run, rushing 11 times for 71 yards in the first quarter alone. With Jeremy Hill now their decided featured back, the Bengals will put on another rushing clinic this week and shock the league with a win at home that will put them in the postseason for a franchise-record fourth straight year. Bengals 28, Broncos 24
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