Cincinnati Bengals betting odds lines spread pick predictions best bets

The Cincinnati Bengals (12-7) visit the Kansas City Chiefs (14-5) Sunday for the AFC Championship Game at Arrowhead Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 3 p.m. ET (on CBS). Below, we look at the Bengals vs. Chiefs odds and lines, and make our best NFL picks, predictions and bets.

The Bengals have grinded out a pair of low-scoring playoff wins. They beat the Las Vegas Raiders at home in a Wild Card matchup 26-19 before going on the road to upset the AFC’s top-seeded Tennessee Titans 19-16 in the Divisional Round. The Bengals are 2-0 against the spread (ATS) in the postseason, with the Under cashing in both outings.

The Chiefs have used offense to power past their foes, doubling up the Pittsburgh Steelers 42-21 in a home Wild Card tilt before outlasting the Buffalo Bills in a classic 42-36 Divisional Round overtime thriller. The Chiefs are also 2-0 ATS in the postseason, with the Over hitting in each game.

Bengals at Chiefs odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 1:06 a.m. ET.

Money line: Bengals +260 (bet $100 to win $260) | Chiefs -340 (bet $340 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Bengals +7.5 (-115) | Chiefs -7.5 (-105)
Over/Under (O/U): 54.5 (O: -108 | U: -112)

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Bengals at Chiefs key injuries

Bengals

DL Josh Tupou (knee) questionable

Chiefs

S Tyrann Mathieu (concussion) questionable
RB Darrel Williams (toe) questionable

Let’s Make This Interesting

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Bengals at Chiefs odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Chiefs 31, Bengals 26

Money line

AVOID.

Kansas City (-340) will cost 3.4 times your potential return. That’s just too risky for such a small amount of winnings, especially in a potentially close game.

More NFL Championship coverage:

Against the spread

CINCINNATI +7.5 (-115) is a strong play, even with a little extra juice as long as the number stays above 7 and a hook.

I’m not as big of a fan of this number if it’s a flat 7, although the Bengals are playing well enough in these playoffs to take those points.

The Bengals have the offensive skill position players to not only hang with QB Patrick Mahomes and the Chiefs, but potentially win this one outright if the home team were to make any mistakes.

Over/Under

The OVER 54.5 (-108) is the best play on the board in this early game on Championship Week.

These teams just played in the Queen City in Week 17 with QB Joe Burrow and the Bengals outlasting the high-octane Chiefs 34-31. A change of venue might change the overall winner, but there still will be plenty of offense regardless of where they play this game.

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The Cincinnati Bengals (10-6) visit the Cleveland Browns (7-9) for a Week 18 game Sunday at FirstEnergy Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET. Below, we look at the Bengals vs. Browns odds and lines, and make our best NFL picks, predictions and bets.

The Bengals will rest QB Joe Burrow for this season finale, after wrapping up the AFC North Division title last week. QB Brandon Allen is expected to get the nod. S Vonn Bell, RB Joe Mixon and DE Trey Hendrickson will also sit after positive COVID tests.

For the Browns, QB Baker Mayfield will rest, as he will have season-ending surgery to repair the torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder. QB Case Keenum draws the start, looking for his second win of the season.

Also see: Bet Slippin’ Podcast: NFL Week 18 picks and predictions

Bengals at Browns odds, spread and lines

Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated Saturday at 4:47 p.m. ET.

Money line: Bengals +205 (bet $100 to win $205) | Browns -260 (bet $260 to win $100)
Against the spread (ATS): Bengals +5.5 (-108) | Browns -5.5 (-112)
Over/Under (O/U): 37.5 (O: -103 | U: -117)

PLAY: Try our new, free daily Pick’em Challenge and win. Play now!

Bengals at Browns key injuries

Bengals

S Vonn Bell (reserve/COVID) out
QB Joe Burrow (knee) out
DE Trey Hendrickson (reserve/COVID) out
DT D.J. Reeder (rest) out
C Trey Hopkins (reserve/COVID) out
DE Sam Hubbard (thigh) questionable
PK Evan McPherson (groin) questionable
RB Joe Mixon (reserve/COVID) out
DT Larry Ogunjobi (reserve/COVID) out
G Quinton Spain (reserve/COVID) out
TE C.J. Uzomah (knee, hip) questionable

Browns

CB Troy Hill (knee) questionable
S Ronnie Harrison Jr. (ankle) questionable
RB Kareem Hunt (ankle) questionable
S John Johnson III (hamstring) questionable
QB Baker Mayfield (shoulder) out
TE David Njoku (shoulder) questionable
CB Denzel Ward (groin) questionable
CB Greedy Williams (shoulder) questionable

Let’s Make This Interesting

Bengals at Browns odds, lines, predictions and picks

Prediction

Browns 19, Bengals 16

Money line

The Browns (-260) are heavily favored to top the Bengals (+205) in what turned out to be a meaningless regular-season finale. The paying crowd, and those watching on television, will be treated to an Allen vs. Keenum matchup. Neither side is particularly attractive.

AVOID.

Against the spread

The BENGALS +5.5 (-108) are playing it safe and keeping a handful of players sidelined, either by choice (Burrow) or due to COVID (Mixon, Hendrickson, etc.). However, catching nearly a touchdown from a Keenum-led Browns -5.5 (-112) side is a little too much.

Over/Under

The UNDER 37.5 (-117) is the lean here, ever so slightly. Guys like RB Samaje Perine will want to show out as he shoulders the load for the Bengals.

Cincy WR Ja’Marr Chase is expected to play briefly, needing 12 yards to break the team’s single-season receiving yardage record. Once he is able to accomplish that, do not expect to see much more of him, either.

The last time Keenum started for the Browns, it was a more run-intensive offense than usual. This one should be a defensive slog, unlike the first meeting.

Also see: NFL Week 18 odds and lines