Bengals vs. Titans Point Spread: NFL Week 12 Odds, Prediction
The Bengals hit the road after recording a 37-30 win over Pittsburgh last weekend to remain just one game back of the division-leading Baltimore Ravens. The Titans return home gunning for a third straight victory after rolling to a decisive 27-17 victory in Green Bay. With the win, Tennessee is now unbeaten against the spread during a 7-1 straight up run that has lifted them to the top of the AFC South standings.
The Bengals have improved to 2.5-point road favourites since opening at -2 on the NFL odds, but have maintained the support of just 30 per cent of sports bettors. The total has steadily climbed to 43.5 since opening at 42, with the OVER attracting 84 per cent of the betting action.
NFL Point Spread and Betting Analysis
Sunday afternoon’s matchup at Nissan Stadium marks a rematch of last season’s AFC divisional playoff clash between these teams, in which the Bengals claimed a narrow 19-16 victory as 4-point road underdogs. With that victory, the Bengals have now earned the win in six of eight head-to-head clashes, and also enjoy a 4-1 run in their past five visits to Tennessee.
The UNDER paid out in last January’s playoff clash, ending a 2-1-1 run for the OVER. However, recent dates between these teams have been far from high scoring, with the total reaching 50 just once in their past seven tilts.
Cincinnati Bengals
The Bengals had reason to celebrate this week, as injured wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase returned to practice for the first time since getting sidelined by a hip injury a month ago. Chase has remained a limited participant throughout the week, but his performance was good enough for quarterback Joe Burrow to public state he expects his favourite downfield target to return to action this weekend. Despite missing the past three games, Chase continues to lead the team with six scoring catches.
Chase’s absence, however, has provided Burrow with an opportunity to develop chemistry with the rest of the squad’s receiving corps, most notably Tee Higgins, who is coming off a season-high 148-yard performance, and rusher Samaje Perine, who made three touchdown runs in last weekend’s win over the Steelers. Indeed, the Bengals attack has continued to perform at a high level, averaging 39.5 points per game during their current 2-0 run, and topping 30 points in four of five outings. But while the news is good for Chase, the outlook is not as positive for rusher Joe Mixon, who has been absent from practice all week due to a concussion.
Tennessee Titans
The Titans now enjoy a comfortable lead atop the AFC South after winning six of their past seven, including a trio of victories while pegged as betting underdogs. The Tennessee defence has enjoyed a particularly impressive run during the team’s current surge, limiting opponents to just 15.4 points per game over their past seven contests, and surrendering just one total rushing touchdown over that stretch. The challenge now facing the Titans will be shutting down Joe Burrow, who is coming off a season-high four-TD performance against the Steelers and has connected on 13 scoring passes over the past five games. That puts the pressure on the Tennessee defensive line, which has racked up 23 sacks over the past seven games, and recorded at least one interception in six of seven outings.
However, the Titans must overcome some injury concerns. Kristian Fulton missed time at practice this week with a hamstring injury, and is one of two cornerbacks, along with Elijah Molden, to find their way onto the Titans’ injury report. Defensive end Denico Autry has also been absent from practice this week as he continues to nurse a knee injury, and it would deal a huge blow to the Titans if their current sack leader is unable to go on Sunday.
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