Cincinnati Bengals vs San Francisco 49ers Point Spread Picks

Cincinnati has been totally inconsistent this season, and that means the Bengals should bounce back after losing 41-22 to the Chargers due to a slow start and two lost fumbles and a pair of interceptions. The Bengals had won their previous two games in grand fashion against Las Vegas and Pittsburgh, and that was after losses to the Jets and Browns. Joe Burrow threw for 300 yards, but he threw the two picks, and Cincinnati was only outgained 363-356. Burrow is questionable this week with finger and knee injuries, but he is expected to play. Brandon Allen is the backup, and he started five games in 2020 and completed 63.4 percent of his passes. San Francisco had its three-game win streak snapped after Seattle made a late goal-line stand. Jimmy Garoppolo threw for 299 yards with 2 interceptions. The 49ers are just 4-11 their past 15 games as favorites, and Cincinnati has rebounded to cover six of seven after losing by at least 10 points at home. Also, the Bengals are 5-2 ATS after an ATS loss. The Bengals and 49ers both are 7-3 UNDER following a loss, and San Francisco is 8-3 UNDER following an ATS loss. Take the Bengals and the UNDER.

This game is a long road trip for San Francisco, and its second straight road game. They may have won by a pair of touchdowns in the opener, but they didn't play well against a rebuilding Tampa Bay team. The 49ers had only 256 total yards and turned it over twice, while the Buccaneers ran for 121 yards. The 49ers are 2-7 ATS on fieldturf, plus 7-3 OVER on fieldturf, and are a road favorite as they head to Cincinnati's home opener. The Bengals are 9-3 ATS at home against a team with a winning road record. Cincinnati rolled up 429 yards and 22 first downs last week at Seattle in a 21-20 loss as a big underdog. QB Andy Dalton was outstanding with 418 yards, two touchdowns and no picks. And the defense was stout, allowing 161 passing yards, and just 72 rushing yards. The Bengals are 21-8-2 ATS in September, plus 9-4 ATS after a spread cover. Cincinnati also ranks in the top 10 in total yards and passing yards, so back the home dog in a high-scoring tilt. Play Cincinnati and OVER.

The Bengals were projected to be amongst the worst teams this season. They aren't as bad as most think, but they still have a ways to go. In week one vs. the Browns, rookie QB Andy Dalton got a taste of the NFL. He was given all safe passes and completed 10-for-15 but for just 81 yards. That is 5.4 yards per pass, which is not going to get it done long term. Last week he got raves for his performance against the Broncos as he went 27-41 for 332 yards and two TDs. It was quite a performance from a rookie, and now everyone thinks the Bengals have a big-time QB. What is missing from that storyline is the fact he not only did it against the No. 32 ranked defense from a year ago, but that defense was without their top two defenders Champ Bailey and Elvis Dumervil. Andy Dalton may prove to be a great QB, but the reality is he's not there yet and when he faces solid defenses, he will likley struggle for a while. San Francisco should be 2-0, as they let victory turn to defeat late against Dallas. The Niners can stop the run, and that will put Dalton in key third and long situations, and I don't think he will respond to the pressure. Alex Smith is coming around for the Niners, even without much from Frank Gore. I think they have the better QB in the given situation and the better defense and they are getting points. The Niners have suffered just four ATS losses in their last 18 after an ATS loss. The Bengals are coughing-up the cash as a favorite now at 6-21 ATS in their last 27. The Niners have averaged 28.5 points per game thus far and the Bengals have surprised at 24.5 per game. The last eleven times San Francisco has gone on the road after allowing 450+ yards in a game, the OVER has hit at an 11-1 mark. In their last 14 games as a small road underdog (3 points or less), the Niners are 12-2 OVER. I like San Francisco and the OVER here.