Bengals vs. Cardinals Point Spread: NFL Week 5 Odds, Prediction
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Nik Kowalski
Through one month, anything you probably thought of both the Cincinnati Bengals and Arizona Cardinals has probably not gone to plan. Ahead of their Week 5 matchup, the 1-3 Bengals are second-last in the NFL with 12.3 points per game while 1-3 Arizona ranks 18th with 22 a game.
So while each club stands at 1-3, there’s a lot more to like about Arizona. First off at the quarterback position, where Joshua Dobbs has gone 123 passes without an interception and is at least producing. Joe Burrow’s Bengals are shockingly dead last with 4.8 yards per pass attempt, and they’re a long way from second-last. But Burrow clearly isn’t 100% with his calf injury, which makes the next few weeks in Cincinnati interesting.
Kickoff at State Farm Stadium begins at 4:05 p.m. EDT, with Cincinnati a three-point road favourite and the total at 44.5 on the NFL odds.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
The Bengals have yet to cover a spread this season while Arizona’s underdog persona has allowed them to start 3-1 ATS this season. Three of Arizona’s games have also finished over the total, while Cincinnati’s slow offensive start has a ton to do with three of their four outings going under.
The Cardinals have taken four of their last five meetings with the Bengals, and Cincinnati is 1-6 outright in their last seven games with NFC West opponents. But the Cardinals only have two wins in their last 16 home games, a trend they actually have a chance to fix this Sunday.
Cincinnati Bengals
Joe Burrow is rightfully calling Sunday at Arizona a must win for his Bengals. At the worst it has to be a get-right game for Burrow’s offence, one that has scored a total of three points in half of their four games this season. On Wednesday Burrow was not listed on Cincinnati’s practice report, which was a first this season due to a nagging calf injury. Tight end Irv Smith Jr. is hoping to return to the Bengals offence this week after missing two games with a hamstring injury. Unfortunately for the Bengals they’ll be without their WR2 in Tee Higgins, who fractured his ribs last weekend.
The Bengals have yet to find an answer when it comes to run defence too. Their 157 rushing yards allowed per game ranks second-last in the NFL, and they are one of three teams giving up over five yards a carry this season.
Arizona Cardinals
The glass-half full side, which is one generally being viewed this season when it comes to Arizona is as follows: the Cardinals began the season with two one-score losses, the latter a blown 21-point lead. Then they beat Dallas by double digits and trailed San Francisco 21-16 on the road heading into the final quarter.
With new head coach Jonathan Gannon and new quarterback Joshua Dobbs, the Cardinals are more than competitive. They’re a frisky, physical squad that’s playing turnover free football. On offence James Conner is leading the charge with 318 rushing yards, but 2023 third-round pick Michael Wilson is an emerging weapon with 237 receiving yards — the third-most by a rookie.
Arizona’s been playing with house money all season, can they continue to shock the nation?
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