The 12-3 Buffalo Bills (six wins in a row) travel to Cincinnati to take on the 11-4 Bengals (seven in a row) in a huge AFC contest Monday night. Both teams need a win, trying to get a first-round bye in the playoffs. Buffalo is a slim, one-point favorite (total of 49½), according to BetUS sportsbook NFL odds.
It’s been the case throughout the season, as the Bills remain favored to win the title, priced at +375, as per Super Bowl odds. Cincy is twice that number, or +750.
Buffalo Bills vs. Cincinnati Bengals Odds by BetUs
| Team | SP/RL | TOTAL | ML | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bills | -1 ( -110 ) | 49½ ( -110 ) | -115 |  |
| Bengals | +1 ( -110 ) | 49½ ( -110 ) | -105 | |
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Bills Sitting Atop AFC
This game is incredibly important to the fortunes of the Buffalo Bills as they attempt to maintain their No. 1 seed in the AFC. With the new playoff format, only the first seed in each conference gets a bye, so it’s especially crucial since the Buffalo Bills are beset by injuries. Buffalo is able to secure the top spot if they’re able to defeat Cincinnati, and the Kansas City Chiefs lose to the Denver Broncos the previous day (KC is a two-touchdown favorite, but,,,).
The Bills on a six-game winning streak entering this game, the last a 35-13 win over the eight-losses-in-a-row Bears in Chicago. Buffalo is balanced, ranking second (to Kansas City) in yards per game (402.3), top 10 in passing (259.5) per game and rushing (142.8) yards per game. Add in points per game (28, fourth), and fewest allowed per game (17.5, second). Quarterback Josh Allen (4,029 passing yards, 32 touchdowns, 13 interceptions) comes off a two-touchdown, two-pick day against the Bears, but hadn’t thrown an interception (seven touchdowns) in his previous three. Then, his 746 rushing yards and seven ground touchdowns.
Allen will be in the MVP conversation, as will be his Monday counterpart (more about that Joe Burrow guy in a bit).
Though quiet in recent games, wide receiver Stefon Diggs enters with 101 catches (1,325 yards, 10 touchdowns).
Bengals After Eighth Straight
The Cincinnati Bengals may be the best team in the NFL at this point in time. Cincy has won its last seven, holding off the Patriots, 22-18, in Foxboro last out. Go back to Halloween against the Cleveland Browns to find the last defeat (32-13) by the Bengals. Cijcy is league-best 12-3 against the spread (ATS), covering in each game during this run.
The aforementioned Joe Burrow will continue his quest to impress the MVP voters. He’s behind Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the odds. With two games remaining in the season, Burrow (4,260 passing yards, 34 touchdowns, a dozen interceptions) has a shot, 11 touchdowns (four interceptions) in his last four games, and 375 yards against the Patriots.
If the Cincinnati Bengals are to win, running backs Joe Mixon (no touchdowns in last four) and Samaje Perine (49 rush yards in last three) have to contribute. If not, wide receivers Ja’Marr Chase (79 receptions, 960 yards, eight touchdowns) and Tee Higgins (73 receptions, 1,022 yards, seven touchdowns) are going to get their fair share of business.
Bengals, But Barely
It’s such a tough game to pick, with two of the hottest teams in the NFL. Expect it to go down to the wire, which isn’t reaching. Buffalo is a more balanced team, but Cincinnati is at home. With a 12-3 record against the spread, that’s not easy to ignore. Take the Bengals plus the point.
Elite quarterbacks Josh Allen and Joe Burrow are both attempting to protect their pedestals. Both of these teams average more than 25 points per game, and with the possibility of this game going to the last possession, take the over.
