Las Vegas Raiders @ Cincinnati Bengals - Prediction, Preview, and Odds

When: Saturday, January 15th, 2022 at 4:30pm E.T.

Where: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, OH.

How: NBC.

Spread: Bengals -5.5.

Total: 48.5.

Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook

Raiders Spotlight

The Las Vegas Raiders reeled off their fourth-straight victory in epic fashion, downing the Los Angeles Chargers in the waning second of overtime to clinch their spot in the playoffs. On the road, the Raider’s offense ranks 25th in points per game, 6th in pass yards, 27th in rush yards, and 9th in yards per play. Defensively on the road, the Raiders rank 12th in points allowed, 15th in pass yards allowed, 14th in rush yards allowed, and 17th in yards per play.

Bengals Spotlight

The Cincinnati Bengals took it easy last week against the Cleveland Browns after winning the AFC North, and they still covered the spread as 6.5-point underdogs. At home, the Bengal’s offense ranks 10th in points per game, 2nd in pass yards, 24th in rush yards, and 2nd in yards per play. Defensively at home, the Bengals rank 22nd in points allowed, 30th in pass yards allowed, 9th in rush yards allowed, and 30th in yards per play.

Final Say

Cincinnati has been profitable going 4-1 ATS in their last five games, while they are a solid 6-0 ATS in their last six meetings with Las Vegas at home. The Raiders haven’t been pushovers though going 4-2 SU in their last six road games, while they’ve played the underdog role well, going 4-1 ATS in their last five instances. The Bengals did spank the Raiders on their home turf, but that was midseason as the Raiders are in better form now, and they have the familiarity to work with. Running the football should be crucial for both sides as they are lacking playoff experience, but Cincinnati hasn’t been in good form just averaging 72 rush yards per game in their last three games, while the Raiders are averaging 139 yards during that span. The Bengals also present a defense that can’t stop the pass and let up big chunk plays. The Raiders are 3-0 in their last three games eclipsing 100 rushing yards, and you give Carr that kind of support, they’ll be hard to hold off, let alone cover the 5.5-point spread. Should be an entertaining and close game, which is why I’ll gladly take the points here.

Pick: Las Vegas Raider +5.5