The NFL Playoffs kick off on Saturday afternoon with the first of three AFC Wild Card contests. After clinching their spot in the postseason in thrilling fashion in the final game of the regular season, the Las Vegas Raiders are now set to open up the playoffs against the Cincinnati Bengals. The two teams met in Sin City during the regular season, a game the Bengals won quite handily. The rematch is set to be played in winter weather conditions in southwest Ohio. The NFL betting odds have installed the 4-seed as a modest favorite for Saturday’s Raiders vs Bengals Wild Card showdown.
The following Raiders vs Bengals NFL betting preview will provide you with the current odds, betting trends and NFL picks against the spread for the AFC Wild Card matchup, along with a stream link to watch games all postseason long.
Raiders vs Bengals NFL Playoffs Betting Preview
NFL Postseason — AFC Wild Card Game
Las Vegas Raiders (10-7, 5-3 Away) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (10-7, 5-4 Home)
Date: Saturday, Jan. 15, 2021
Time: 4:30 p.m. EST
Venue: Paul Brown Stadium — Cincinnati, OH
Coverage: Click here for the stream
Las Vegas Raiders Preview
The fact that the Raiders are even gearing up to play in the NFL Playoffs is truly remarkable. Las Vegas had to overcome numerous distractions and losses both on and off the field. Nonetheless, they were able to knock off the rival Los Angeles Chargers in overtime last week to clinch the 5-seed in the AFC. While a lot of NFL betting analysts argued that the Raiders should have just taken a tie to ensure both teams make the postseason, that would have made Las Vegas the 7-seed. After getting blown out twice by the Kansas City Chiefs in the regular season, the Raiders probably weren’t in any rush to face them a third time.
Interim head coach Rich Bisaccia deserves a world of credit for keeping the Raiders together amidst all of the issues and distractions of this past season. On the field, the defensive front is clearly the strength of the team. Pass rushers Maxx Crosby and Yannick Ngakoue are capable of wrecking an opposing team’s offensive game plan. Unfortunately, the Raiders will have to overcome the loss of defensive tackle Darius Philon if they hope to spring an NFL betting upset on Saturday. On offense, Las Vegas’ primary goal needs to be simply sustaining drivers. The Raiders were dominated in time of possession in the regular-season matchup against Cincinnati. Ideally, the line will open up lanes for Josh Jacobs to help ease the burden placed on Derek Carr.
Cincinnati Bengals Preview
An upset win over the aforementioned Chiefs effectively allowed the Bengals to clinch the AFC North Division in Week 17. It was a good thing they did too, as multiple players landed in virus protocols ahead of Cincinnati’s season finale last week. The Bengals opted to sit several key players and the resulting loss saw them wind up as the 4-seed. After leading the Bengals to the NFL Playoffs for the first time since 2015, coach Zac Taylor will now try to come up with a game plan to notch the franchise’s first postseason win in over 30 years.
Going based on the NFL betting headlines and commentary provided by the talking heads, the Bengals have a clear talent advantage over the Raiders. While he had several massive games down the stretch of the season, second-year QB Joe Burrow actually struggled to solve the Raiders’ Cover 3 defensive scheme in the first matchup between the teams. He was held under 150 yards passing in that game. Luckily, star RB Joe Mixon was there to pick up the slack with a big effort on the ground. After getting positive news regarding the health of wideout Tee Higgins, Burrow should have his full complement of targets available on Saturday. That being said, the Bengals’ suspect offensive line faces a tough task when it comes to slowing down the Raiders’ pass rush.
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Raiders vs Bengals Betting Odds and NFL Picks Against the Spread
NFL betting odds for Raiders vs Bengals are taken from BetMGM Sportsbook.
Moneyline: LV: (+190) | CIN: (-225)
Spread: LV: +5.5 (-110) | CIN: -5.5 (-110)
Total: 48.5 — Over: (-110) | Under: (-110)
Public (Spread) Betting via Action Network: LV: (50%) | CIN: (50%)
Raiders vs Bengals NFL Betting Trends
- Raiders are just 2-8 in NFL picks against the spread (ATS) in their last 10 road games following a close win of three points or less.
- Four of the Raiders’ last six games have gone under the total.
- The total has gone over in five of the Bengals’ last six home games.
- Bengals are 7-1 ATS in their last eight head-to-head matchups against the Raiders.
- Bengals are 6-0 ATS and 5-1 straight up in their last six head-to-head matchups against the Raiders at home.
Raiders vs Bengals Stats
- Las Vegas is averaging 22.0 points per game (PPG) this season (No. 18 in the NFL).
- Las Vegas is surrendering 25.8 PPG this season (No. 26 in the NFL).
- Cincinnati is averaging 27.1 PPG this season (T-No. 7 in the NFL).
- Cincinnati is surrendering 22.1 PPG this season (No. 17 in the NFL).
Raiders vs Bengals Prediction
This Raiders vs Bengals NFL betting prediction uses NumberFire’s game projections. They give Cincinnati a 67.4% chance to win this AFC Wild Card matchup.
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