Buffalo Bills vs Cincinnati Bengals Prediction & Betting Tips - NFL

Prediction published on 21/01/2023, 15:42  by Joseph King | Modified on 21/01/2023 at 15:42 in American Football Predictions

The NFL Divisional Round continues on Sunday with the Cincinnati Bengals heading to the Highmark Stadium to take on the Buffalo Bills, nearly three weeks after their week 17 matchup was called off following the terrifying cardiac arrest suffered by safety Damar Hamlin. Buffalo began their 2022/23 playoff campaign with a 34-31 shootout victory over AFC East rivals the Miami Dolphins in the Wild Card last week as they continue their red-hot form into the next round. The Bills have now won eight consecutive games dating back to the regular season, scoring over 30 points in each of their last four. The oddsmakers have the Bills installed as the current co-favorites along with the Kansas City Chiefs to win their first ever Super Bowl after infamously finishing as runners-up in four consecutive seasons in the 90s. Buffalo finished the regular season with 13 wins and three losses to top their division,

The Bengals will enter this game as the underdogs as they seek a return to the Super Bowl after losing out to the LA Rams last season. Cincinnati have been on a similarly impressive run of form as their opponents today and have ripped off nine straight victories. They topped the AFC North division with a record of 12 wins and four losses and were able to get by division rivals Baltimore in the Wild Card round by a score of 24-17. There was certainly an element of good fortune surrounding that win however, as Cincy put up only 234 total yards compared to the Ravens’ 364. They also faced off against a Baltimore team without star quarterback Lamar Jackson and still needed a late defensive touchdown off a turnover to ultimately sneak into the next round. 

Most concerningly for the Bengals is their banged up offensive line that will be without three of their regular starters. Right-guard Alex Cappa and left-tackle Jonah Williams were both in the lineup for the week 17 clash between these two sides which was ultimately called off after the Bengals got out to a 7-3 lead early on. Cappa and Williams are not available for this one however, leaving a huge hole in the Bengals offense that Buffalo will undoubtedly be looking to exploit.