Las Vegas Raiders vs. Cincinnati Bengals odds and best bets

The Raiders have had one of the more dramatic seasons in recent memory. The fact that they had a chance to qualify for the playoffs on the last days of the season, and how they did it, showed a lot of resilience. It is just hard to see them going any further.

For Cincinnati, there is a ton of optimism. Their young, skilled offense can compete with anyone and in the Raiders they have an opponent that might propel them to a really special season. Most pundits had them as the team in the AFC North that would not make the playoffs. Instead, they won the division. 

These teams did meet during the regular season. Cincinnati went into Vegas and won 32-13. In reality, that game was closer than it looks in hindsight. The score was 16-13 in the 4th quarter before the Bengals closed strong scoring the last 16 points of the game. 

Game Info:

Las Vegas Raiders (10-7) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (10-7)
Saturday, January 15, 2022
4:25 PM ET
Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio
NBC

Betting Odds (as of Wednesday, January 12th)
Spread: Raiders +5.5 (-110), Bengals -5.5 (-110)
Total: 49
Moneyline: Raiders +195, Bengals -235

My Favorite Bets

Joe Burrow Over 268.5 Yards Passing (-110)

The Bengals trust their second-year quarterback as much as any team in the league trusts theirs. He finished the season on a heater, too, with 300+ yards in 4 of his last five games before sitting out the season finale to be as healthy as possible for the playoffs. I am expecting the Bengals to throw the ball early and often as they try and build a lead.

Cincinnati Bengals -3 (first half) (-110)

The -5.5 for the game is one of those "dead" numbers which is why I like taking the Bengals -3 for the first half. Cincinnati gets the benefit of playing in front of their fans and the benefit of facing a warm-weather team on what should be a blustery Saturday afternoon. That, and facing an opponent that is likely to be gassed, should enable them to get an early lead and hold it until halftime. 

Joe Mixon Over 19.5 Rushing Attempts (-110)

One of the reasons the Bengals had success this season was because of Mixon's ability to balance out the attack. He had one of his best games of the season against the Raiders with a season high 30 carries. Assuming the gameplay has the Bengals protecting a lead in the second half, he should should get the 20 carries he needs to cover this one. Just don't get concerned if he has only six or seven carries in the first half. The Bengals have shown they will lean on him when the ground game is working.