San Diego Chargers vs. Cincinnati Bengals Preview – AFC Wild Card Round

The Chargers wouldn’t be in the playoffs had the Bengals not beat Baltimore in Week 17. But don’t expect Philip Rivers and company to express their gratitude in this AFC wild card game match-up.

As for Cincinnati, they haven’t lost at home all season long and don’t intend to drop their first at Paul Brown Stadium in their most important game of their season yet.

NFL Football Betting Preview: Chargers vs. Bengals

Game Details:

When: 1:05 PM ET, January, 5 2014 [sc:NFL240banner ]

Where: Paul Brown Stadium, Cincinnati, Ohio

Odds:

*As of January 2, 2014.

Money: Chargers (+7) vs. Bengals (-7)

Spread: Chargers (+245) vs. Bengals (-285)

Totals: 47.0

| San Diego Chargers | Cincinnati Bengals
SU/ATS | 9-7/9-6-1 | 11-5/10-5-1
O-U | 7-9 | 10-6
Last Game | vs. Kansas City Chiefs (W 27-24) | vs. Baltimore Ravens (W 34-17)
Player to Watch | QB Philip Rivers (4,478 Passing Yards, 32 Passing TDs) | RB BenJarvus Green-Ellis (756 Rushing Yards, 7 Rushing TDs)

Betting on the San Diego Chargers:

A 5-7 SU season start for a team would usually discount a playoff appearance, but the Chargers became the latest team to punch a postseason ticket under such circumstances.

To get into the playoffs, the Chargers needed a win against Kansas City, and losses for the Dolphins and Ravens in their respective Week 17 matches. The football gods were rooting for the Chargers as all fell into place accordingly.

Before beating the Chiefs in Week 17, San Diego went 4-1 SU to join the Ravens, Steelers, and Dolphins in the fray for the last AFC wild card spot. The Chargers weren’t just doing themselves a favor as they were also providing bettors with a bundle of ATS wins by covering in four games during that stretch.

Indeed, the Chargers played their best football of the season when they needed it the most. Over the final five games of the regular season, San Diego ramped up its scoring defense by limiting opponents to an average of 17.6 PPG.

Despite playing in the same division as Peyton Manning, Philip Rivers managed to have a share of the limelight with his outstanding play. Rivers is fifth in the NFL in passing yards (4,478) and fourth in touchdown passes (32).

Bet now on the San Diego Chargers.

Betting on the Cincinnati Bengals:

After 17 weeks of a punishing regular season, the Bengals emerged unscathed at home. And they will look to remain unbeaten at Paul Brown Stadium when they welcome the Chargers for an AFC wild card match. [sc:NFL240banner ]

The Bengals finished the regular season at home, pulling the plug on Baltimore’s quest to defend the Super Bowl title with a 34-17 victory. With that win, the Bengals joined the Patriots and the Saints as the only teams with an 8-0 SU home record at the end of Week 17.

The Bengals stand alone atop the ATS home rankings with an equally impressive 8-0 ATS record.

Adding confidence for Bengals bettors is the fact that they were the last team to beat San Diego, handing the Chargers a 17-10 defeat back in Week 13. In that meeting, the Bengals were humming along in the air and on the ground. Andy Dalton managed 190 yards with a touchdown while running backs BenJarvus Green-Ellis and rookie Giovani Bernard combined for 164 yards and a touchdown.

Cincinnati hasn’t tasted victory in the playoffs in some time, with their last postseason win coming in 1990.

Bet now on the Cincinnati Bengals.

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