***SWAMPACLAUS MNF PONYS @ CATS***

***DENVER BRONCOS -3.5***

For the sake of time ladies and gents I will keep this short and sweet, not overthinking this one by any means. I'm taking the Sheriff on the Monday Night big stage as I am not sold on the Bengals by any means just because they shutout Johnny Football in his first start last weekend. The Broncos have handled a chain of solid teams and defenses in the Phins, Chiefs, Bills and Chargers since letting down and dropping a game in St. Louis when the Rams caught them sleeping. Tonight with a chance to get closer to securing homefield advantage throughout the playoffs I don't believe they will mess around much. I have also never been sold on the Red Rifle AKA Bengal's QB Andy Dalton, especially in big spots such as ones with playoff implications on the line, like this. I wouldn't be suprised if the Bengals don't even make the playoffs and let the Steelers, Ravens and Chargers squeak on in them instead. The Bengals will undoubtedly give it their all tonight but I like Denver to shutdown their run game and get to Dalton when he tries to keep up with the pass. Look for Peyton to control the clock throughout as well per usual with establishing the run game effectively and picking apart this secondary once the rush helps open it up a bit. Too much talent on Denver for the Cats to contain. Ponys win convincingly here.