A pair of AFC teams, both seeking to turn around their fortunes, will clash this Sunday afternoon in Cincinnati, home of the famous Skyline Chili. The Las Vegas Raiders are on the road, looking to bounce back after a 27-20 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Despite falling short, they managed to cover the spread as an 8.5-point underdog. Meanwhile, the Cincinnati Bengals suffered a heavy defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Eagles, losing 37-17 as a 2.5-point favorite. Historically, the Raiders lead the regular season series 19-12, but the Bengals claimed victory in their last encounter, winning 32-13 on November 21, 2021.
When it comes to pro football picks, our NFL Predictions are stellar.
Who will emerge victorious in this matchup? Read on for insights into the Raiders vs. Bengals prediction!
Raiders Eager to Secure a Road Win
Las Vegas faced a tough challenge against Kansas City, marking their fourth consecutive loss. Their record now stands at 2-6, leaving them at the bottom of the AFC West. They are currently 12th in the AFC playoff race, two games behind the Chargers for the final playoff position. In the game against Kansas City, the Raiders were tied after the first quarter and held a brief lead, only to allow 10 unanswered points and trail 17-10 at halftime. The team struggled offensively, gaining just 228 total yards compared to Kansas City’s 334. Both teams recorded one turnover, and Las Vegas lost the time of possession battle, with the Chiefs holding the ball for 32:30 minutes to the Raiders’ 27:30.
This season, the Raiders rank 18th in passing offense, averaging 209.1 yards per game, and are 31st in rushing, with just 79 yards per game. They sit 26th in scoring offense, averaging 18 points per game, and 27th in scoring defense, allowing 26.3 points. Quarterback Gardner Minshew has completed 138 of 204 passes for 1,377 yards, with six touchdowns and eight interceptions. Aidan O’Connell, who stepped in after an injury to the starter, has also contributed, throwing for 455 yards and two touchdowns. Leading the Raiders’ rushing attack is Alexander Mattison, with 265 yards and three touchdowns on 83 carries. Rookie tight end Brock Bowers stands out in the receiving corps with 52 receptions for 535 yards and one touchdown this season. Daniel Carlson has been reliable, making all 11 extra point attempts and converting 15 of 17 field goals.
In the latest injury report, center Andre James (ankle) and linebacker Robert Spillane (knee) did not practice on Wednesday and Thursday, raising concerns about their participation. Other players, including tight end Harrison Bryant (elbow) and guard Dylan Parham (foot), were limited in practice. Zamir White (quad) was also limited on Wednesday and missed Thursday’s session. Updates on their statuses will be crucial as kickoff approaches.
Bengals Aiming to Rebound at Home
Cincinnati’s two-game winning streak came to a halt with a disappointing performance against the Eagles. They now hold a 3-5 record, placing them third in the AFC North and ninth in the playoff standings, 1.5 games behind the Chargers for the last playoff spot. In the game against Philadelphia, the Bengals jumped to a 7-0 lead but faltered in the second half, allowing 20 unanswered points. They struggled statistically, being outgained 397-280 in total offense and losing the time of possession battle 31:48 to 28:12 while committing two turnovers.
This season, the Bengals rank 7th in passing offense, averaging 235.5 yards per game, but they lag in rushing, coming in at 28th with 89.8 yards per game. They are 11th in scoring offense, managing 24.4 points per game, but their defense is 23rd, allowing an average of 25.4 points. Quarterback Joe Burrow has shown strong performance, completing 185 of 263 attempts for 1,993 yards, 15 touchdowns, and only three interceptions. He also adds a rushing dimension with 106 yards and one touchdown. Running back Chase Brown leads the ground game with 359 yards and four touchdowns. In the receiving department, Ja’Marr Chase is the standout player, with 48 receptions for 674 yards and seven touchdowns. Kicker Evan McPherson has been effective, converting 20 of 21 extra points and 11 of 15 field goals.
Key injuries for Cincinnati include tackle Orlando Brown Jr. (knee/fibula) and wide receiver Tee Higgins (quad), both of whom missed practice earlier in the week. Other players, including safety Geno Stone (shin) and defensive end Sam Hubbard (hamstring), were limited in practice. Fans and analysts alike will be keen to monitor these injuries as the game day approaches.
Betting Insights for Las Vegas Raiders vs. Cincinnati Bengals
The outcome of this matchup heavily depends on the injury status of key players. The Bengals have performed well offensively with Higgins in the lineup, but his absence has led to significant declines in their performance, often placing them in a position similar to that of the New England Patriots when it comes to expected points added per play. Higgins’ limited participation in practice raises concerns. Meanwhile, the Raiders also face challenges, especially after trading Davante Adams to the Jets and dealing with quarterback changes. Despite these issues, they managed to cover the spread against the Chiefs. While Cincinnati is likely favored to win this game, the uncertainty surrounding Higgins makes the point spread a risky bet. Backing the Raiders with the points appears to be a prudent move, particularly with the current spread.
