This week’s Monday Night Football doubleheader brings the spotlight first to Miami, where the New York Jets travel south to face the Dolphins at 7:15 Eastern on ESPN, and then to Mile High for the Cincinnati Bengals taking on the Denver Broncos at 8:15 Eastern, showing on ABC. Both games are also available via streaming on ESPN+ and through the new ESPN direct-to-consumer service, meaning cord-cutters won’t have a problem tuning in, according to both ESPN and ABC Sports.

Let’s break down the Jets at Dolphins matchup first. The buzz leading into this one is around the quarterback duel between the Jets’ second-year sensation and Miami’s veteran signal-caller, who’s looking to steady a Dolphins squad aiming to keep pace in the AFC East. Miami is currently a 2.5-point favorite with an over-under at 44.5, per the latest lines reported by CBS Sports and ESPN. The Dolphins will be leaning on wideout Tyreek Hill, who’s put up blistering numbers, while the Jets need running back Breece Hall to break through against a tough front seven. The Miami Herald this morning featured Coach Mike McDaniel’s comments about “limiting explosive plays and capitalizing on turnovers,” which is clearly code for keeping Jets defensive back Sauce Gardner in check. There’s rumbling about the possible return of star tackle Terron Armstead, though that’s yet to be confirmed by official team sources—watch pregame inactives closely.

Then, we turn to the mile-high drama with a Bengals squad desperate to get their season back on track as they visit a surging Broncos team. Denver is a heavy 7.5-point favorite, the largest spread of the day, reflecting both home-field and Cincinnati’s injury woes. Denver’s defense has been stout, but the big talk is around their new-look offense and whether Russell Wilson, after a strong September, can keep the chemistry going with Jerry Jeudy and rookie Marvin Harris Jr. The Cincinnati Enquirer reports quarterback Joe Burrow has been limited all week with a lingering calf injury but is still expected to suit up—it’s one of those storylines that could linger all season if the Bengals fall to 1-3. For fantasy footballers or those just box-score watching, keep an eye on Denver’s defense and the emergence of their rookie running back, who local Denver outlets say could see a larger role due to injuries in the backfield.

Across both games, national oddsmakers and major networks are predicting close first-half battles, but the expectation is Denver and Miami both pull away late. ESPN’s panel leans toward the Dolphins and Broncos covering, but calls either game a “potential trap” if either underdog gets an early turnover or special teams score.

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