At the start of the season, not many would have made a Raiders vs Bengals prediction when asked for a potential AFC playoff matchup. Cincinnati (10-7 SU, 10-7 ATS) hasn’t won a postseason game since 1990 while the Raiders (10-7, 8-9) are making just their second playoff appearance in 19 years.
Raiders vs Bengals Odds & Analysis
Sportsbook Odds
The Bengals were 2.5-point road favorites when these teams met in November, so it isn’t a surprise to see Cincinnati open as a 6.5-point favorite on its home field in the rematch. The Sportsbook total of 49 is a couple of points lower than it was for that contest, which Cincinnati won 32-13.
Get the best Raiders vs Bengals odds and lines available from our recommended sportsbooks for your favorite picks of the night.
- Best Spread-105-115LV+6-6CIN
- Best Moneyline+225-265LVCIN
- Best Total-112-108Over48.548.5Under
Battle-Tested Raiders Have Thrived In The Underdog Role
Having endured a tumultuous regular season that included the resignation of coach Jon Gruden and the arrest of top receiver Henry Ruggs, the Raiders are starting to look like a team of destiny. Las Vegas won its last four games of the season to squeak into the playoffs, with three of those victories coming by a field goal or less. In fact, last week’s 35-32 OT win over the Chargers was the sixth game this year that Vegas won on the final play, the most since the NFL merger in 1970.
Given how many times they’ve been counted out this year, the Raiders probably won’t mind being counted out again in most people’s Raiders vs Bengals predictions. Each of Las Vegas’ last three victories came as an underdog, and the Raiders are 6-2 SU and ATS in their last eight as a road pup.
Although tight end Darren Waller returned to the lineup last week, the Raiders do have a couple of other notable injury issues going into the postseason. Running back Josh Jacobs overcame a rib injury to collect 132 rushing yards and a touchdown against the Chargers, while defensive tackle Darius Philon suffered a season-ending injury late in the fourth quarter.
Burrow, Chase And Bengals Determined To End Team’s Postseason Struggles
The last time we saw Joe Burrow, he was limping off the field in the dying seconds of a Week 17 victory over KC that locked up the AFC North title. The star pivot was one of several Cincy stars who sat out Sunday’s regular-season finale in Cleveland, but he was a full participant all week in practice and his sore knee isn’t expected to be an issue.
The Bengals need a healthy Burrow and another big showing from star rookie receiver Ja’Marr Chase, because history clearly doesn’t favor them in any Raiders vs Bengals predictions. Cincinnati hasn’t won a playoff game since 1990 and is 0-7 SU and 0-6-1 ATS in its last seven wild-card game appearances — even though four of those seven games were at home.
Chase says the team is using that as motivation. “That’s all we constantly hear,” the LSU product told the Associated Press after setting the Bengals’ single-season receiving yards record last week. “So finally having everybody say the opposite of what they’re used to, that’s what we’re trying to do here.”
Raiders vs Bengals Pick & Insights
Raiders: Keys To Cover
There might be no team in the NFL that is better prepared for the playoffs than Las Vegas, which has been playing for its postseason life for the past month. Meanwhile, no Raiders vs Bengals prediction and analysis would be complete without mentioning Cincinnati’s ugly history of postseason failures.
Bengals: Keys To Cover
Cincinnati had no problem shutting down the Raiders offense when these teams met in November, limiting Las Vegas to 72 rushing yards and 13 first downs. The potential for cold and wet conditions could also help the Bengals by making it difficult for both teams to throw the ball, offsetting Cincy’s weakness against the pass.
Odds Shark’s Computer Raiders vs Bengals Prediction: Bengals -6.5
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