AFC Division Playoffs: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tennessee Titans Odds, Betting Preview, and Picks

AFC Division Playoffs: Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tennessee Titans Odds, Betting Preview, and Picks

The Cincinnati Bengals defeated the Las Vegas Raiders in the AFC Wild Card and booked their safe passage into the AFC Divisional Playoffs. Their reward: a date with the top seed Tennessee Titans, who received a bye in the first round. This will be the first meeting between the Bengals and Titans this season, but the Bengals got the measure of Mike Vrabel’s side last year in a shock upset. They’ll be keen to replicate that result again, although the NFL odds are stacked against them across multiple sports betting sites.

Cincinnati Bengals vs. Tennessee Titans

 Date: Saturday, January 22, 2022, 

 Time: 4:30 PM ET

 Location: Nissan Stadium, Nashville

 TV Broadcast: CBS

Click Here For Bengals vs Titans odds

Bengals Betting Preview

Nobody believed in the Cincinnati Bengals except themselves. They believed in their team and Zac Taylor’s vision for their 2021 campaign. So, when Joe Burrow claims that neither he nor his teammates were surprised to be in the AFC Divisional round, then it’s probably true. The Who-Dey boys feel they are right where they belong. And, they’re not done yet.

The Bengals clinched the 26-19 win over the Raiders last Saturday, coming through as the 6-point closing favorites. The game went under the closing total of 48.5 points. 

Burrow and the Bengals’ offense got off to a solid start, but the defense clinched the game in the second half, making a crucial stop to thwart Las Vegas’ final attempt to tie the game. Burrow completed 24 of 34 passes for 244 yards and two touchdowns, while linebacker Germaine Pratt was the hero of the day, picking off Derek Carr on fourth down to ice the game.

In winning, the Bengals ended a 32-year winless run in the playoffs. The Bengals finished the season with a 10-7-0 record and the AFC North title. They went 11-7-0 ATS with a 5.1 winning margin on average.

Titans Betting Preview

Few would have predicted the Tennessee Titans would clinch the top seed at the start of the season, never mind midway when they were hit by a slew of key injuries that included losing star running Derrick Henry for the regular season. When that happened, doom and gloom were forecasted, and the Titans were written off by many forthwith. Then the unthinkable happened, the Titans beat the Los Angeles Rams on the road in their first game without Henry, throwing down the gauntlet in no uncertain terms.

The Titans defied all expectations from the start. After a setback against the Arizona Cardinals in Week 1, the Titans reeled off six victories in their ensuing seven games. At 6-2 on the season, the devastating injury to Henry occurred, and Mike Vrabel’s side received the devastating news that it was season-ending. Nevertheless, they finished with a 6-3 record in their last nine games. 

Overall, the Titans finished as the best team in the AFC with a 12-5-0 record. The AFC South champions also went 10-7-0 ATS with a 3.8 winning margin on average. Above all, though, what these stats highlight is just how well-coached and disciplined they are, and that team ethos will make them a tough side to beat in the playoffs.

Bengals vs. Titans Odds

Across multiple sports betting platforms, the Titans opened as the field goal favorites, but the line ticked up to -3.5 within hours of hitting the market. For the most part, the line has held steady. By contrast, the game total opened on 47 points and hasn’t budged since.

Bengals vs. Titans Line Movement

Bengals vs. Titans Predictions and Picks:

By all accounts, this is going to be a fascinating contest between two teams that play a different game but have unlimited confidence and self-belief. Burrows and the Bengals offense are pass-happy and they’ll be looking to slice up the Titans' defense and hit the big plays downfield. The Titans are grinders, and with the potential return of Derrick Henry, they’ll be looking to control the time of possession, keep Burrow off the field, and beat the Bengals in a slugfest. 

It’s impossible to tell which side will impose its will in this game successfully or dictate the game's tempo. It’s probably why the market is so tight, and the odds are holding close to the bookmakers’ initial offering. As it stands, the Bengals at +3.5, buoyed by their first playoff win, are the lean right now -- either to cover in a close game or win outright.  

The Titans can’t be dismissed out of hand, and with Henry potentially returning to the lineup, they get back an X-factor player that could give them the edge. The problem, however, is that they’ve been playing a different game since Henry’s injury. And it’s worked, too. Switching back to the old ways in such a short span – even though it’s been their bread and butter for so long -- might disrupt the rhythm and chemistry Ryan Tannehill has built with the offense since.  

• Picks: Bengals +3.5 (Bet $110 to win $100)