Cincinnati Bengals vs Las Vegas Raiders Point Spread Picks

Las Vegas is playing hard off losses at the Chargers by five and to unbeaten Kansas City by seven. They're on a 4-3 spread run, including 2-1 ATS on the road. This team has won at Baltimore (26-23) as a +8.5 underdog and a 20-16 win over Cleveland as a dog. The defense is 11th in yards allowed, and the Raiders are on a 13-6-1 spread run. At home, Cincinnati is favored but winless (0-4 SU/ATS). The defense is 24th in yards allowed, 23rd in points given up, and 27th on third down (45.28%). Play Las Vegas. 

Good weather is not in the forecast for the offenses Saturday in Cincinnati with temperatures in the 30s and some wind. Las Vegas has a big name in QB Derek Carr, but don't overlook this Raiders' defense that is #14 in yards allowed, #15 on third down, and #13 against the pass. Plus, the Bengals are a pass-happy team. They are seventh in passing and 22nd in rushing. The Raiders have averaged 16 points in their last three road contests and are 37-19 UNDER the total on the road against teams that average 24+ points. Cincinnati QB Joe Burrow leads the NFL with 51 sacks as the offensive line has been erratic too often. The Bengals are 76-53 UNDER the total against passing offenses that average 235+ yards. Many Wild Card games are played in cold weather venues in January, and they are on a 52-22 run UNDER the total. This has all the makings of another frigid battle where the oddsmakers are overvaluing the QBs and the offenses. Play this game to stay UNDER the total for a Max Play.

Las Vegas has had some serious and tragic incidents this season and it has affected its play on the field although the players would never admit it. The Raiders come off ugly losses to the Giants and Chiefs, but fortunately, they play Cincinnati this week, and the Bengals are beginning to look like a fraud after starting the season 3-1. The Bengals have lost their last two games against the Jets and Browns while allowing an average of 37.5 points. Their last game on Nov. 7 was against Cleveland, and the Browns racked up 153 rushing yards on 6.6 yards per carry. Joe Burrow threw for 282 yards, but with no TDs and 2 interceptions. The Bengals somehow beat Baltimore, 41-17, but two of their other wins were against lowly Jacksonville and Detroit. Cincinnati is 2-6 ATS its last six games as a favorite, and the Raiders are 5-2 ATS as underdogs. The UNDER is 15-7-2 in the Bengals' past 24 road games, and the Raiders are 10-4-1 UNDER after losing by at least 10 points at home. Play the Raiders and the UNDER.

Oakland has many key injuries, but Jon Gruden somehow has got his team playing well enough to be 5-4 and in contention for a playoff spot. However, it's questionable how long the Raiders can keep this up. This week they'll be laying double digits for the first time this season. Cincinnati had at least been competitive until it was blown out by Lamar Jackson and the Ravens last week. The Bengals actually defeated Oakland, 30-16, in December, and they are 7-2 ATS their last nine road games, as well as 15-7 ATS their last 22 versus AFC teams. The Raiders still are 3-13 ATS their last 16 games following a win and 18-38-1 after an ATS win. The UNDER is 7-0-1 in Cincy's last eight road games, and the Bengals are 9-3-2 UNDER their last 14 games overall. The UNDER is 6-2-1 in the Raiders' last nine games against the AFC. The Bengals expect the return of wide receiver John Ross, who has been out since Oct. 2 with a collarbone injury. Grab the big points with the Bengals along with the UNDER.

Both of teams are going nowhere, but Oakland is still showing some resilience. The Raiders haven't quit in the face of injuries and trades and now the general manager has been fired. Meanwhile, the Bengals are in a free fall and have lost five in a row while averaging only 17.2 points per game and they are 2-6 ATS their last eight games. The Raiders have covered three of their last four and Derek Carr is coming off one of his best games of the season, completing 25-of-34 for 322 yards with no interceptions in his team's stunning 24-21 victory over the Steelers as a 10.5-point underdog. Cincinnati finally got A.J. Green back after he missed three games, but now he's out for the season with a toe injury. The Bengals don't have a home-field advantage as they're 0-5 ATS over their last five home contests and Oakland has covered five of its last seven road games against teams with losing home records dating to last season. In their last six games after an upset underdog win, the Raiders are a perfect 6-0 to the OVER. They are also 34-15-2 to the OVER in their last 51 games following an ATS win. Oakland coach Jon Gruden wants and needs to win as many games as possible to help justify his $10 million dollar annual salary while the Bengals have no motivation whatsoever. Play the Raiders and the OVER.