Cincinnati Bengals vs Buffalo Bills Betting Preview
Saturday afternoon, the No. 2 seed Bills host the No. 3 seed Bengals in the AFC Divisional round. Will Joe Burrow and the Bengals make their second straight AFC championship game appearance? Sportsmemo NFL handicapper Eric Pauly shares his thoughts and makes a free, expert Cincinnati Bengals vs Buffalo Bills betting pick!
Cincinnati Bengals vs Buffalo Bills AFC Divisional Round Betting Odds
Sunday, January 22 | AFC Divisional Round Betting Notes |
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Point Spread: | Cincinnati Bengals +5 vs Buffalo Bills |
Total: | o/u 48.5 Points |
Location: | Highmark Stadium in Orchard Park, NY |
Game Time: | 3:00pm ET / 12:00pm PT (Odds Above Courtesy of DraftKings) |
TV: | CBS |
Cincinnati Bengals vs Buffalo Bills Betting Preview
The Bills and Bengals game was rightfully suspended and voided after Damar Hamlin went down. Both of these teams have gotten in some games since then, and these teams are both poised for a Super Bowl run. This should be a hell of a game, and I expect both teams to bring their A-game.
Bengals Eager For Another Super Bowl Appearance
The Bengals just got past the Ravens in the Wild Card round, but I chalk that up to the divisional rivalry and the fact that they played the Ravens two weeks in a row.
I am not sure how this spread is not closer. I understand the home-field advantage for the Bills, but this Bengals team was controlling the first matchup before the injury.
Before Hamlin went down, the Bengals were up 7-3, and they looked to be in the driver’s seat. Now, the Bengals have a chance to show the Bills that they are the better team and that they mean business.
The Bengals sport a top-five offense in the NFL and a top-10 defense. They have won 9 games in a row, and they are as hot as any team in the postseason.
The biggest concern for the Bengals now will be the injuries to its offensive line. They have three starters who may not play, and protecting Joe Burrow is a top priority for this team.
Allen Must Take Care of Ball For Bills
The Bills barely beat the Dolphins with a third-string QB last week, and I am unsure how the Bills are getting so much respect in the market.
Buffalo was just a 2.5-point favorite in Cincinnati in Week 17, and now they are 5.5-point favorites at home. Buffalo is obviously still a great team, but they are flawed and not playing great.
Josh Allen led the NFL in turnovers and has had the turnover bug for the last few weeks. Against Miami, he had three fumbles with one lost and two interceptions against an inferior opponent. In order to beat the Bengals, Allen cannot turn the ball over more than once.
Also, they need to sure up on defense. The Bills allowed 31 points to Miami after only allowing 231 total yards. Buffalo did not play great opponents to end the season, so the Bengals will be the best teams they have faced since much earlier in the year.
Buffalo has all the makings of a Super Bowl team, but they are not playing their best football right now at the most important time of the season. Yes, they have won eight games in a row, but they did not plate great teams.
Cincinnati Bengals vs Buffalo Bills Prediction
It is hard for me not to take the Bengals +5.5 here. I have them as just 1.2 points worse than the Bills, and if you tack on home-field advantage, I have Buffalo as 2.8-point favorites. With they key number of three captured, I am happy to take the Bengals +5.5 as well as a sprinkle on the ML.
Prediction: Cincinnati Bengals +5.5
Opening Line Report | NFL Wild Card Round
Join Drew Martin and Teddy Covers for this week’s edition of Opening Line Report as these two discuss betting angles to take across every matchup on the board including this Cincinnati Bengals vs Buffalo Bills AFC Divisional Round game!
NFL Odds Board
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Meet the Author
Eric Pauly, @slimeaction on Twitter, graduated from Binghamton University with a degree in Finance. Eric is a die-hard Washington Commanders and New York Knicks fan and enjoys watching and writing about the NFL, NBA and MLB. His favorite gambling movements include hitting a +1000 future on Washington to win the NFC East in 2020 and predicting Jonathan Taylor’s breakout season with a +900 ticket for him to win the 2021 NFL rushing title. Aside from the sports betting industry, and making a brilliant Cleveland Browns vs Los Angeles Chargers betting pick, Eric also enjoys good eats, dynasty fantasy football leagues, daily fantasy sports and playing the guitar.
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