Bengals vs. 49ers Point Spread: NFL Week 8 Odds, Prediction
The Niners were swept on their recent two-game road trip, capped by last weekend’s 22-17 loss in Minnesota on Monday Night Football, but have won 11 straight at home while covering in their 10 most recent home victories. The Bengals travel to the coast after enjoying a much-needed bye last week. Cincinnati is riding its first win streak of the season after knocking off the visiting Seattle Seahawks by a 17-13 margin two weeks ago. However, the Bengals have gone just 1-3 over their past four road dates while averaging just 15 points per game.
The 49ers have emerged as slim 3.5-point favourites on the NFL Week 8 odds. The Bengals are pegged as a +145 moneyline bet, and the total is listed at 43.5.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Sunday’s matchup at Levi’s Stadium marks the first meeting between these teams in two years, and Bengals’ first trip to the Bay Area since 2015. The 49ers have earned the win and covered in their past two head-to-head dates, both in Cincinnati, capped by a slim 26-23 victory in December 2021, and have topped the Bengals in 12 of 15 matchups since 1981. Recent meetings have tended towards low scoring. With the Bengals averaging just 17 points per game, the UNDER has paid out in four of their past five clashes.
Cincinnati Bengals
Last week’s bye could prove to be a tonic for the Bengals, who have struggled to overcome injuries in the first half of the season. Hampered by a nagging calf injury that he suffered over the summer, quarterback Joe Burrow managed to find the end zone in just one of his first four appearances of the season, but has steadily rounded into form while tossing for five total touchdowns during the team’s 2-0 run. The week off has also helped Tee Higgins return to health. Higgins suffered a broken rib in a crushing 27-3 loss to Tennessee in Week 4 and was sidelined for the team’s win over Seattle two weeks ago. However, the 24-year-old who topped 1000 receiving yards in each of the past two seasons has found his way off this week’s injury report. Higgins’ return to health provides another option for Burrow, who has leaned heavily on Ja’Marr Chase, who leads the team with 556 receiving yards and three scoring catches.
San Francisco 49ers
While the Bengals are enjoying a steady return to health, the 49ers clinic has seen plenty of traffic. The biggest concern is the health of quarterback Brock Purdy, who missed practice on Wednesday with a concussion that leaves his status for Sunday in question. Purdy has seen his 11-game regular season win streak as a start halted by the team’s two-game slide, but remains unbeaten in 10 career home starts. Joining Purdy on the injury report are receiver Deebo Samuel and rusher Christian McCaffery. Samuel was also absent from Wednesday practice, and is expect to miss at least the next two games with a hairline fracture in his shoulder. The news is somewhat better for McCaffrey, who was a full participant at Wednesday practice while continuing to nurse an oblique injury suffered in the team’s 19-17 loss in Cleveland two weeks ago. McCaffrey has played a key role in the Niners offense since arriving in San Francisco last season, but saw his run of 14 straight games with a touchdown snapped in the squad’s loss to the Browns. However, with Purdy sidelined, McCaffrey will likely draw a big assignment on Sunday.
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