The Las Vegas Raiders managed to make the playoffs despite all the issues they had to deal with in the regular season. But will they be able to progress past the wild card round? As for the Cincinnati Bengals, they haven’t won a playoff game in a very, very, very long time. Will the drought end this year? Check out our preview below of this Raiders-Bengals AFC wild card contest.
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Betting Preview for the Las Vegas Raiders vs Cincinnati Bengals AFC Wild Card Game on January 15, 2022
Where: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati
When: Saturday, January 15, 2022, 4:30 PM ET
Line: Las Vegas Raiders (+5) vs Cincinnati Bengals (-5) – view all 2022 NFL lines
TV Broadcast: NBC
Betting on the Las Vegas Raiders (+5)
Regular Season Record: 10-7
The Raiders make the playoffs after scoring a win in AFC Wild Card 35-32 victory at home over the Los Angeles Chargers. With that, Las Vegas will ride a big wave of momentum into the postseason, having won all of its last four games to close out the regular season. Prior to the win against the Chargers, Las Vegas defeated the Cleveland Browns, Denver Broncos, and the Indianapolis Colts in succession. The Raiders will be relying on their pass-heavy offense that’s anchored on Derek Carr. They are averaging 268.6 passing yards per game, good for sixth overall in the regular season. Carr is fifth in the NFL with 4,84 passing yards on the season to go with 23 touchdown tosses and 14 interceptions. Tight end Darren Waller is listed as questionable to play against the Bengals but barring any serious development, he should be out there to help the Raiders’ offense that is putting up 22.0 points per game.
The Raiders are 4-1 against the spread in their last 5 games as an underdog.
Betting on the Cincinnati Bengals (-5)
Regular Season Record: 10-7
You have to go all the way back to 1990 to see when was the last time the Bengals won a playoff game. They have a chance to finally end that long drought in the upcoming date with the Raiders, whose defense Cincinnati will look to take advantage of. The Raiders finished the regular season just 26th in the NFL with 25.8 points allowed per game. That is music to the ears of the Bengals, who are seventh in the league in scoring with 27.1 points per game and third with 0.44 points per play. Quarterback Joe Burrow is confident he can get the job done, especially with fantastic weapons downfield. Ja’Marr Chase, a strong candidate to win Rookie of the Year honors after receiving 1,455 yards and 13 touchdowns, will line up across Tee Higgins, another Bengals wideouts with over 1,000 receiving yards. Running back Joe Mixon should also be a factor for Cincy against Las Vegas’ mediocre run defense.
The Bengals are 4-0 against the spread in their last 4 games overall.
Writer’s Prediction
The Raiders win, 27-24.
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