The Cincinnati Bengals open their 2021 season at home as they play host to the Minnesota Vikings at 1 p.m. ET Sunday. Below, we look at the Vikings vs. Bengals odds and lines, and make our best NFL picks, predictions and bets.
The Vikings made the playoffs every odd-numbered year since head coach Mike Zimmer was hired (and missed the postseason every even-numbered year). Last season, injuries and organizational arrogance of letting key defensive players leave or get cut led Minnesota to dig an early hole for itself that it never rebounded from.
The Vikings have the requisite offensive talent in RB Dalvin Cook, WRs Justin Jefferson and Adam Thielen, and QB Kirk Cousins to put up a lot of points, but it is the defense that will be needed to get the Vikings back to the playoffs and they’ve added a lot of veterans to accomplish that.
The Bengals get QB Joe Burrow back after an impressive, but injury-shortened rookie season. He has weapons in RB Joe Mixon, and WRs Tyler Boyd, Tee Higgins and Ja’Marr Chase. However, defense has been the problem in Cincinnati for years and head coach Zac Taylor hasn’t changed the culture of losing in two seasons.
The Bengals have a record of 6-25-1 under Taylor and the hot seat under him is as flammable as it is with any coach in the league. Winning now is a job requirement or Taylor will be shown the door.
Vikings at Bengals odds, spread and lines
Odds provided by Tipico Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports’ betting odds for a full list. Lines last updated Friday at 10:25 p.m. ET.
- Money line: Vikings -170 (bet $170 to win $100) | Bengals +135 (bet $100 to win $135)
- Against the spread (ATS): Vikings -3.5 (+100) | Bengals +3.5 (-125)
- Over/Under (O/U): 46.5 (O: -117 | U: -103)
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Vikings at Bengals key injuries
Vikings
- OT Christian Darrisaw (groin) out
- LB Anthony Barr (knee) out
Bengals
- CB Trae Waynes (hamstring) out
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Vikings at Bengals odds, lines, predictions and picks
Prediction
Vikings 27, Bengals 24
Money line
This is a difficult bet because the Vikings have the better personnel and with the team as healthy as it will be all season, they should win. The -170 is just a lot to give up for a road team without a recent pedigree.
If I was going to roll the dice with a small bet, I would take the Bengals at +135 because it should be a close game; however, AVOID THIS BET and bet on the spread and O/U.
Against the spread
It’s hard enough to bet against the Bengals straight up, but 3.5 points is giving a lot for a Minnesota team with an extremely suspect offensive line. It’s a line that routinely kills drives with penalties and Cincinnati’s ability to put up points – a 10-point deficit can turn to three in a hurry against a prevent defense late in the game – makes 3.5 points too many to give away.
Roll with the BENGALS +3.5 (-125)
Over/Under
Both teams have dismal offensive lines, which can lead to field position games, but both sides also have a defense that can get beaten over the top.
The Vikings and Bengals had the 27th and 26th ranked defenses in 2020, disrespectively, and you don’t jump from there to a top 10 defense the next season. It’s a sign of deep systematic problems that only get worse with injuries. There will be enough big plays in this game to get it to the OVER 46.5 (-117).
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