Which quarterback will win his first play-off game?

For all NFL fans, the most exciting time of the year begins now – especially, for those whose teams are still in the running. After all, 14 franchises made it to the postseason for the first time this season, representing nearly half the league.

For the two quarterbacks, it will be a first, as neither Joe Burrow nor Derek Carr have a playoff game on their resumes to date. Carr did reach them with the Raiders in 2016, but broke his leg just before the playoff start.

So one of the big questions will be which captain can better manage his nervousness. Since Derek Carr has been in the league a few years longer and already proved his nerve in a do-or-die game last weekend, we see him slightly ahead.

For Bengals vs. Raiders, our prediction is thus also a game of equals that has no clear favourite. In this case, betting on the underdog is always a good chance to pick up high value. For Sunday, these would be tips on Las Vegas.

Kickoff of the first playoff game of the current season is Saturday night at 22.30 in Cincinnati. This can be watched live on ProSieben or on DAZN.

Cincinnati Bengals – Statistics & current form

The Bengals won the AFC North in the end. However, this division was so close that there was only a two-win difference between first and last (Ravens). Accordingly, we can also say that the playoffs were only narrowly reached.

Nevertheless, the season has been a great success for Burrow and Co. and they still have to improve on it. The prerequisites for this are also given, as they will meet the Raiders, a team they already knocked out of the stadium in November.

A completely different game than expected in November

This time on matchday 11, however, the Raiders were just in a slump. Since then, they’ve won five of their last seven games, including at the Cowboys, Browns and Colts. The Bengals will have to dress a little warmer than they did in November.

Another thing has changed in the meantime, too: The running game. While Cincinnati clearly outgained Vegas in the last duel with 159:72 rushing yards, these values have been almost equal in the past weeks – on the last game day, for example, Vegas even came up with 172 rushing yards.

Cincinnati was able to spare its starters on the last day of play

One point in the Bengals’ favour is the fact that they were able to completely rest their most important players on game day 18. Neither Burrow nor Mixon and one or the other defender got playing minutes – not insignificant after this extra long season.

Still, we see Cincinnati’s advantages as more in the razor-thin range. What stands out is the effectiveness they often bring to the field. While the Bengals average fewer yards than Las Vegas and allow more of them, it’s the exact opposite when it comes to points.

At 27.1, they average 5.1 more points per game than Vegas. That leaves them as razor-thin favourites, but not by a 5.5-point margin. That still makes the odds on the Raiders much more bettable in Cincinnati vs. Las Vegas – especially for a surprise.

Key Players:
QB: Joe Burrow
RB: Joe Mixon
WR: Ja’Marr Chase
TE: Jonah Williams
K: Evan McPherson

Las Vegas Raiders – stats & current form

The Raiders made it into the postseason closer than any other team. They only secured their spot in overtime of the very last game of the season and at least have the momentum on their side.

This should not be underestimated, especially for the postseason. Already some teams that started as underdogs had found their best form at exactly the right time of the season. The Raiders picked up four wins in a row.

Defence much improved of late

We have already discussed the slight statistical disadvantages against the Bengals. However, we have to differentiate here between the Raiders at the beginning of the season and the Raiders in the last four games. For example, their defence has allowed only 19.7 points per game – a top figure.

That would put them among the top 5 defenses in the league, and they are currently playing like it. However, since the Bengals have also allowed an average of just under 21 points recently, another betting recommendation for Sunday is under-points.

Game on a knife edge expected

Cincinnati’s favourite status is of course based on their season stats and home advantage. However, the Raiders of recent weeks are at least on par and with an away record of 5-3 reads even better than the Bengals’ home record (5-4).

Therefore, we expect a game that could be decided by a single action or a big mistake. For such games, betting on the underdog always pays off enormously. That’s why betting on Las Vegas at odds of up to 3.05 is a top option for Bengals vs. Raiders.

Key Players:
QB: Derek Carr
RB: Josh Jacobs
WR: Hunter Renfrow
TE: Darren Waller
K: Daniel Carlson

Cincinnati Bengals – Las Vegas Raiders Head-to-head comparison / H2H record

We have already mentioned the first duel this season. That one clearly went to Cincinnati, which means two things. The Bengals know how to win against Vegas, while the Raiders have revenge on their minds.

Since it often happens that a team comes back much improved after a big loss, Vegas is by no means without a chance here. Very often games between two teams on equal terms have been split in two meetings this season.

Adaptations is the magic word that is always used in the USA when teams play each other several times and the Raiders should be able to do that. So for Cincinnati vs Las Vegas, the odds on both the Raiders and under are our recommendations.

Cincinnati Bengals – Las Vegas Raiders Tip

Bookmakers see Cincinnati ahead by an average of 5.5 points, which is a great deal. That makes betting on the Raiders even more interesting for us. The playoffs are the playoffs, after all, and surprises are the order of the day in the NFL.

That’s because it mostly comes down to the form of the day. Since Vegas is going into this game with the momentum, a bet on Las Vegas is our No. 1 betting option for Bengals vs. Raiders, which also offers excellent value.

Alternatively, bets on sub-points are also possible. The 49.0 bet is already a lot for a play-off game, in which the team often initially acts in a wait-and-see manner. Especially since the Raiders’ defence is getting better and better.